Microsoft's Mr. Inside on outside

Article Abstract:

Jon A. Shirley, chief operating officer of Microsoft Corp, will retire in Jun 1990. Shirley, who has been with Microsoft since 1983, intends to pursue his hobbies and does not plan to assume another position in the software industry. Shirley, 52, came to Microsoft after 25 years with Tandy Corp. Industry analysts are surprised by Shirley's announcement and question who will take over Shirley's position. Microsoft is one of the few well-managed software companies, so there does not seem to be anyone who could be hired away from another company. Also, whoever replaces Shirley must be able to mesh with Microsoft's founder and chief executive officer, William H. Gates. Gates is considered the visionary behind Microsoft's success, while Shirley tended to everyday business operations. The pair has been extremely successful: Shirley's 500,000 shares of stock are worth an estimated $40 million.

Appointments, resignations and dismissals, Retirement, Chief operating officers, Computer Software Industry, Shirley, Jon

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Computer industry conference is scene of heated dispute

Article Abstract:

Adobe Systems Inc's John Warnock disputed with Microsoft Corp's chief executive officer Bill Gates over Adobe Systems domination on software essential to the computer publishing business. Warnock told an audience of 500 industry insiders that a plan by a competitor to move into his business was ridiculous. Microsoft had recently joined with Apple to develop an alternative to Adobe's widely used way of insuring consistency of typefaces and fonts across different computer systems. Gates responded by saying that he prefers having two standards, not one. Steven Jobs argued for Adobe's position. Adobe will reveal technical information that will help competitors clone fonts and other critical software used in computer publishing. Warnock said he was pressured by Gates to do this.

AAPL, Adobe Systems Inc., ADBE, Executives, Access control, Software protection, Copy protection, Computer fonts, Speeches, lectures and essays, Jobs, Steven, Apple Inc., Domination, Decision Making, Font Package, Warnock, John

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Gates reveals a warming in IBM-Microsoft cold war

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp Chmn William H Gates is talking with IBM executives in an effort to mend strained relations between the two companies. Together they defined personal computing throughout the 1980s, but the companies began feuding in 1991 over future directions. Microsoft through its full support behind its Windows graphical user interface (GUI) and withdrew support from IBM's rival OS/2 operating system. IBM plans to release a new OS/2 version in Mar 1992. Gates says he wants to present an olive branch' to IBM. He has held discussions with IBM officials since mid-September after a lengthy period of no contact with them.

Electronic computers, Office machines, not elsewhere classified, Computer integrated systems design, Management, Usage, Operating systems (Software), International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Negotiations, Microsoft Windows (GUI), GUI, Graphical user interfaces, Operating System, Negotiation, Chairmen, OS/2 (Operating system)

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