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Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

thegatesnotes.com

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Re: Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

#21

Post by dantheman »

Alex3917 wrote: post #10
dnewcome wrote: post #5

I think that Bill can do a world of good by sharing his thoughts via a blog like this. Assuming he is candid and fosters real communication, that is. Sections like 'What I'm thinking about/what I'm learning' is exactly the right attitude.

The problem is that Bill Gates only reads books that reinforce his existing beliefs. That's why he's so pro-KIPP, because he doesn't have any interest in authors like John Taylor Gatto. (Or at least this is what I heard from someone who had lunch with him recently.)

KIPP?

Also, I'ma huge fan of the Underground History of American Education (http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/)

Re: Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

#24

Post by netcan »

kevingadd wrote: post #8
javery wrote: post #3

Why am I not surprised that it is using both WebForms and Silverlight... I see that big chunk of viewstate there Bill.

I honestly wouldn't have guessed. The layout is understated, the page loads quickly, and it's easy to navigate and read. I wonder if the site is based on some existing content management system, or if it's something custom. It would be kind of a cool surprise if it turned out that Bill authored the site himself for fun (but that seems unlikely).

Why does it seem unlikely? It could be that he is using these technologies purely out of personal interest.

Re: Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

#25

Post by rudin »

First twitter and now a website?

Looking over the content on the site I was depressed by all the philanthropy and environmentalism. Not that these aren't good things but I think Bill has been so successful at building software and corporations that his time would be better used teaching people these things.

Imagine the articles and insight we could get if he would convert into someone like Paul Graham.

Re: Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

#27

Post by thinkbohemian »

fronx wrote: post #9

Some notes on the design: IMO { The navigation feels a little fragile, maybe because of the small font size and delicate lines. But it's also quite original, especially the "view by topic" branch. The right column (only visible on some pages) could easily be mistaken for advertising, possibly because of the tiny sans-serif type. Overall the style and copy gives a personal, likable impression. }

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Re: Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

#28

Post by cschep »

netcan wrote: post #24
kevingadd wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I honestly wouldn't have guessed. The layout is understated, the page loads quickly, and it's easy to navigate and read. I wonder if the site is based on some existing content management system, or if it's something custom. It would be kind of a cool surprise if it turned out that Bill authored the site himself for fun (but that seems unlikely).

Why does it seem unlikely? It could be that he is using these technologies purely out of personal interest.

I think it seems unlikely because we all think of BillG as a business man and not a hacker. Maybe I should only speak for myself, but the thought of him tinkering away into the early morning on his new site is such a wonderful juxtaposition of my image of him.

Re: Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

#29

Post by staunch »

rudin wrote: post #25

First twitter and now a website? Looking over the content on the site I was depressed by all the philanthropy and environmentalism. Not that these aren't good things but I think Bill has been so successful at building software and corporations that his time would be better used teaching people these things. Imagine the articles and insight we could get if he would convert into someone like Paul Graham.

I'm as much of a believer in the power of entrepreneurship as it gets, but I disagree. Having his brain power, management ability, and billions of dollars directed towards helping humanity's least fortunate is just about as optimal a situation as I can imagine.

Re: Bill Gates's new website: The Gates Notes

#30

Post by whatusername »

rudin wrote: post #25

First twitter and now a website? Looking over the content on the site I was depressed by all the philanthropy and environmentalism. Not that these aren't good things but I think Bill has been so successful at building software and corporations that his time would be better used teaching people these things. Imagine the articles and insight we could get if he would convert into someone like Paul Graham.

actually, I completely disagree.

What Bill was truly good at, was hiring smart people and getting them to all work towards something big. Putting a computer on every desk was a big goal. Eradicating Malaria and the other things the foundation is working on are big goals. And to be honest - I'm impressed by the way he is going about it.

This site isn't about him resting on his laurels - looking back at the success he had. This is the posts/information on what he is working on now. So it wont have the deep insight that he would have about software/corporations. But the fact he is applying that insight to Philanthropy and to the world of NGO's is fantastic and I applaud him for it.

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