The ceremony for Bill Gates' retirement from full time to a day a week, from Microsoft Research.

Rich Rashid, VP of MSR, told a few Gates-Rashid and MSR stories before the videocast ceremony started. The videocast started with an update of the CES "Bill Gates' Last Day" video. Ballmer then opened up with stories. Shortly after, Gates came in, telling stories and talking with Ballmer. The majority of the ceremony was Ballmer and Gates fielding prerecorded employee questions, ranging from early company days, to big moments, through the Gates Foundation. Ballmer closed, talking about his thoughts on how to say farewell to the founder of company, asked for applauses to say thank you to Gates for all the opportunities he opened and the culture he created, and gave Gates a scrapbook. Both Gates and Ballmer cried a little while talking towards the end. The ceremony ended and then stories about the history of both Gates and Microsoft were played.

Date: 2008:06:27