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Comment by aneesh | Hacker News Reader

It's ironic. Just months after a much publicized retirement that emphasized "Microsoft after Gates", Microsoft wants to build some brand. And who do they bring back?

Is there Microsoft beyond Gates? More broadly, what does it take for a startup to outlive its founders?

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More broadly, what does it take for a startup to outlive its founders?

A very interesting question. All I can really give is, it probably has a lot to do with the popularity and recognizability of said founder(s) not to mention their stories, their time with the company, and numerous other factors that all together make it a lot easier for the company to outlive its founders.

I wouldn't recognise Steve Ballmer if I walked by him on the street. Unless he was begging..

or yelling at people and throwing chairs..

What if he was throwing chairs?

Edit: damn, I should refresh before posting...

The next set of commercials might have bonding between Steve Balmer and Bobby Knight.

Here you go:

http://google.com/search?q=dancing+monkey+boy

wow! I'd never watched that video and it totally frightens me. Ballmer is kinda crazy! Watching him yell like that makes me totally uncomfortable.

As much as I think it's bad form to poke fun at someone's expense (especially when they are unable defend against it) I just had to link this video of Steve Ballmer doing an ad for Windows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvbWLfr-Z4s

I was waiting for him to try and give me a free set of steak knives to go with it.

You know, at this point, if I ever meet Bill Gates in real life, I'd be way too tempted to call him "Dave Thomas" while I shook his hand.

Here's hoping that never happens...

A company whose well-being depends on the public charisma of its leaders is buying a ticket for a big crash.

But then, software companies are short-lived, compared to any other kind. Software technology is all about getting obsolete quickly while selling the next big thing. The trick is perhaps to keep doing so from within the same company.

"A company whose well-being depends on the public charisma of its leaders is buying a ticket for a big crash."

Not always. If it is done correctly, the company can live off their legacy for very long.

But it has to be done right.

Personally, I think Apple will have a really hard time after Jobs leaves (much moreso than when he left before).

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