No iPhones at “Casa de Gates” is perfectly understandable
Many of you have written me suggesting that I write about the big “Bill Gates doesn’t allow iPods and iPhones in his house” story, but quite frankly, I don’t see the big news here. I’m pretty sure if your dad owned Ford, he wouldn’t want you seen driving a Toyota, or if he owned McDonald’s you wouldn’t be eating at Burger King. And you can bet MY kids won’t be reading any other off-beat Mac sites – I have blocked them all. It’s a little thing called “Company Pride”, also known as “Don’t shit where you eat”, and in these days of tabloid websites and tech gossip, a shot of Gates’ kids using an iPod would spread on the internet faster than a Steve Jobs health rumor.
I suppose the thing that has people all excited is that Gates’ wife Melinda admitted in an interview that she occasionally is envious of her friends’ iPhones. Well guess what? I interpret that as Melinda is one of those rare cool chicks out there that actually “gets” tech and can appreciate a cool gadget when she sees one. To me the real story here is that Melinda Gates has some pretty crappy friends. Do they all go out to dinner and then whip out their iPhones in front of her and start playing games and making fart sounds? Seems like a passive aggressive move to me that in effect says “OK, Melinda. You might have all the money on the world, but I have the one thing you CAN’T buy”.
I’m not saying if I were close friends with the Gates I would feel obligated to buy Microsoft products exclusively (unless they were throwing around massive discounts), but I would feel a little weird about drinking a Coke at the CEO of Pepsi’s house.
I used to work for a company closely affiliated with Microsoft. Steve Ballmer would walk past my office look in and see many of my Linux books. I actually proudly displayed them so they could be seen from the window.
He knew who I was and would give me a dirty look in the hall when he saw me.
Eventually the company was pressured directly to move ALL server to Microsoft and I was told as much and I told them that I would no longer be with the company.
It took them 4 years to figure out all the stuff I had done and replace it all. I offered to help them as a contractor and indirect subordinates would call but I would always say ‘I can’t help you unless your manager calls and decides to bring me on as a contractor’. He never called and I hear nearly got fired for it.
I don’t let anyone in my house with a Micro$oft device!
The irony of the story is that humans restricted from having something only want it more. Gates’ children will just use Mac’s and iPhones when they move out. My father was a diehard Ford man, but I love my Chevy truck! We’re not the same people. The Gates’ house rules only serve to ensure they will be converts at 18 when they’re off to college and the brainwashing wears off. 🙂
Hmmm, I once worked with a vendor to the Tupperware Corporation. You should have seen the fit the CEO thru when he saw my lunch in the office fridge was stored in Rubbermaid.
He went to his car, pulled out a box of Tupperware containers and SOLD IT to me.
You really don’t shit where you eat!
Man, it would suck if your dad is, what, the 3rd or 4th wealthiest man on the planet, and you HAVE to use the 3rd best portable media player (iPods and Creatives are both better than Zunes). Sure, it’s a couple of bucks cheaper…
Hmm. I’m used to “Don’t shit where you eat” being used as the reason behind corporate rules about office relationships. The one behind using your own companies products was normally “Eat your own shit”. In a properly run company, it makes some sense, as you presumably get feedback on problems faster and more accurately from your coworkers than from customers. Unfortunately, you’re most likely to run into this kind of rule in a company where criticizing company products is grounds for dismissal, which tends to negate the point.
So Gates doesn’t allow Apple products in his house. Can’t blame him.
I wonder if Steve Jobs’ kids are allowed to play Halo Live on an Xbox??