I received an email from SteveB at 3:10PM with an announcement for “company news” to come at 3:30PM. “Uh oh!”, I thought, “that can’t be good“. What could it be? Was Vista slipping? Was Steve leaving? Was Bill leaving?

As it turns out, Bill announced that he will be stepping away from his full time duties at Microsoft in July 2008. He will focus his efforts to the Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation. Bill said that he will still stay on at Microsoft on a part-time basis and as Chairman – “this is not a retirement, but a reordering of my priorities”. Ray Ozzie will immediately take on Bill’s current role of Chief Software Architect.

Just as I join Microsoft, my luminary, BillG decides to step down. It had to happen eventually. At least it’s not happening for another 2 years. I hope in that time that I get a chance to meet the man and tell him and he impacted my life. He brought my technical passion to the forefront of my life – and I thankyou for that. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

More news and blog buzz to follow…I’m sure.

Update: 4:40PM CST … Just received an email from Bill about his plans.Funny… he’s still in the press conference answering questions. He must have a great mobile device and fast thumbs! :)