There is much more to Bill Gates than the Microsoft myth. These days, the richest man in the world is faced with dramatic changes in his personal and professional lives. He must deal with new roles as father, visionary, philanthropist and celebrity. And of course, he has a starring part as a defendant in the government's ongoing antitrust suit. What's it like Being Bill Gates? We were joined by Newsweek's Steven Levy for a discussion about this week's cover story.

Steven Levy

Steven Levy is one of America's most respected commentators on the information revolution, which he has covered since 1981 for a variety of publications, including The New Yorker, Harper's, Rolling Stone and Wired. He became a Newsweek senior editor in 1996, specializing in the larger social and cultural issues raised by technology. He is the author of four books, including "Hackers" (1984) and "Insanely Great" (1994), about Apple Computer and the development of the Macintosh.

Steven Levy: Hi, everybody. A little background on this story. I first pitched it to Microsoft as an article on Bill Gates after the trial, concentrating on his role at Microsoft. But as I got into it, I saw that he and MS would be willing to get into more personal areas like his family, philantrophy, etc. So I took it there, and I felt we were able to present something not really written about before. In the article I tried to be agnostic about the legal/competitive issues that we've all been reading about for the last year (and before), in order to spend my limited space on material that hadn't been presented before. Now I'll take questions!

Austria: Please give me information about Bill Gates's house

Steven Levy: Gates lives in an estimated $75 million house by Lake Washington. He uses it for some corporate stuff, but the residence people tell me, is rather cozy. There's a very cool trampoline room. Journalists, by the way, aren't invited.

Arlington, VA: A lot of people call Bill Gates "arrogant." Is this your impression of him, or do you think it is largely the media's perception of Microsoft--which until lately has been standoffish with reporters--that has allowed this label to stick?

Steven Levy: It's easy to see why Gates is considered arrogant. He believes that he and his company are ethical and perfectly justified in competing very hard. He has little patience with interviews (and deposing lawyers!) who question this. I think he's done himself no good by letting this side of him show more often than the personal (and actually sometimes very witty) side of him I saw while doing this profile.

Los Angeles, CA: The means of competition Bill Gates took against OS-2, Lotus, Netscape and others--too numerous to mention--was not only unethical but also illegal. His company has innovated nothing. Why should he be permitted to continue in business?

Steven Levy: As a journalist one learns that saying that something is illegal without really sound evidence can be libelous. Right now, a judge is deciding whether MS acted legally in the browser competition. As for whether or not MS innovated, you want them out of business for this. I think that in a democratic govt we should not ask whether people are "permitted" to be in business, but shut down only if they are in violation of the law and continue to violate it.

New Providence, New Jersey: Mr. Levy,

I loved your book, Insanely Great. What key personality differences do you see between Jobs and Gates? Which gentleman strives more for perfection, in your humble and honest opinion?

Steven Levy: Thanks. Jobs and Gates are fascinating contrast. Jobs is more of an artist (if he does say so himself) creating both a product and a marketing direction that based on the marketplace and aesthetics. Gates is more interested in results. No accident that Jobs is involved with Hollywood and Gates has little to do with show-biz. Perfection is important for Steve; Gates will ship if he feels that the product serves his customers more than not shipping.

Basking Ridge, NJ: What kinds of cars does Bill Gates own?

Steven Levy: I know he used to drive a Lexus, though I'm not sure he still does. Over a decade ago he shipped in some superduper sports car (an exotic Ferrari? Lamborghini?) that for weird customs reasons was embargoed at the dock. Believe it or not, it still is! Now Gates tells me that he doesn't drive fast like he used to and if he ever gets the car, he won't really air it out.

College Park, MD: Over the past 20 years, which 3 people other than Bill Gates have most influenced the Information Age and why?

Steven Levy: Wow, what a question. Consider the answer not definitive but a suggestion:
Doug Engelbart, who pioneered the graphical user interface, Apple's two Steves, and Tim Berners-Lee who invented the World Wide Web. I'm sure I'm forgetting something huge.

Todd in CA:
The Web is often called the electronic version of the old Wild West. What encroaching governmental restrictions and laws seem the most likely to change the Web as we know it?

Steven Levy: Right now the govt is considering stuff like taxes (it wouldn't be so horrible if some computer program figured out state sales taxes) and privacy regulations (which could give us more privacy or could codify invasions of our privacy.) But we can EXPECT that the politicians will try to get their hands in, and we should do all we can to make them clueful on what makes the Web great, so the exciting stuff can be maintained.

New York,New York: Please ask Mr.Gates -How does he feel or what does he think, when he hears the charges that He or Microsoft is racially insensitive or that he-Microsoft shy's away from any serious efforts to support African Americans in technology either financially or in terms of managerial employment ?

Steven Levy: When it comes to trying to get diversity in the company Microsoft like some other high-tech companies tries but doesn't really succeed in getting a really good % of african americans. Maybe that's why Gates wants his foundations to address the so-called Digital Divide. This is a problem way beyond Gates and Microsoft, but I know Gates is aware of it.

new york NY: You write that Gates likes Dr. Evil. What does he think of Fat Bastard?

Steven Levy: I tried to sound him out on that very issue. But he just hiked his kilt up and snorted.

Harpswell Maine: Mr. Gates Foundation is now the largest in history. What health areas will it be supporting. THe FOundation has supported vaccine development for some chronic diseases. What other vaccine devlopment intiatives are they interested in supporting?

Steven Levy: As you noted, health issues, especially in poorer countries, is important and B & M Gates feel they can mke a difference there. Bill's dad told me that he has a special interest in trying to do something about AIDS. Go to their web site for more info.

Silver Spring, MD: Where does Bill Gates believe the dominant threat against Microsoft exists? Does he really believe someone in a garage can really challenge Microsoft?

Steven Levy: I think that the biggest threat to MS (and believe me they know it) is that proliferation of different kinds of computers will make Windows not so important. I asked both Gates and Ballmer why they feel that MS's position is so precarious considering their dominance and power, and got very impassioned answers that things could turn around quickly. Ballmer went deeper, telling me that Bill's got a real fear of failure, and recounted a story back in 1981 when MS lost some minor business and Gates felt that it was all over.

Burlington,Vermont: How did Bill become so rich?

Steven Levy: Very simple. He holds millions of shares of Microsoft stock. The company is valued by Wall Street at $500 billion dollars. When you own almost 20% of that company, you don't really have to scan restaurant menus for the cheapest entree.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Is it really true Gates answers all his email? I find that hard to believe. PS: What's his email address?

Steven Levy: I feel weird about giving out his e-mail address, although it has been printed other places (and hasn't changed). He does not actually reply to everything but reads it and will forward some requests to others who will answer it.

Rosslyn, VA: Can you ask Bill if I can have a $1 million research grant for post-graduate studies? Come on, Bill! That's like a 2 cents to you.

Steven Levy: Let's see... I have a foundation and am trying to figure out whether to give money to vaccinate children against malaria or maybe to give the money to... you! Tough choice.

Boston, MA: How do you think has the anti-trust case affected the general day to day workings at
Microsoft out there in Redmond? Are they affetced at all or is it business as usual everyday?

Steven Levy: For months the word given out from MS was "business at usual," and that only the few people working on the case per se were consumed with it. In my findings this really wasn't the case. Bill Gates himself was apparently deeply affected,and I think that while the programmers still programmed intensely, etc., the public battering had a profound physcological affect on the employees.

Reston, VA: How does Bill feel about not finishing college, since he has accomplished so much since starting MS?

Steven Levy: In his speeches to students he always makes a point of telling them not to follow his example of dropping out. I think in Gates's case, unlike some other high fliers who dropped out of college, his extensive reading has helped him avoid a sort of educational chip on his shoulder which forces him prove that he's as intellectual as any old PhD.

Brooklyn, New York: You're known for your allegiance to the Macintosh. Are you still a Mac lover or has Bill convinced you there's life in the Windows world?

Steven Levy: Don't know it's a question of "allegiance" but what works for you. I use Windows at work (much improved from earlier versions) and a Mac at home.

Raleigh, North Carolina: Does Bill like any sports?

Steven Levy: I'm a baseball nut, but from my observation Gates is more interested in basketball. Some MS people are minority investors in the Mariners, but Bill held back when he had an opportunity to buy the team. Interesting by owning 10% of Comcast he is technically part owner of the 76ers.

West Covina, CA: Can Bill Gates be replace at Microsoft? And if so, when?

Steven Levy: Technically anybody can be replaced in a public company, so Gates can be tossed. And technically the earth can be hit by an asteroid next week. I think the chances of either happening are roughly equivalent.

Chesterfield, VA: I continue to be amazed at the rarity of positive comment about Microsoft products in the media. I am a past CPM and Wordstar user. Word is an amazing product. Any clue why we only hear-read negative about this great company?

Steven Levy: Actually, Microsoft products get their share of good reviews. But there is a sort of reluctance on behalf of some to give credit to a company that's so big and powerful. It's always more fun to hype some underdog.

Sacramento, California : Do you have the web address for the Gates Foundation?

Steven Levy: try www.gatesfoundations.ord

Steven Levy: Oops i mean gatesfoundations.org

Andrea Basora: Great turnout! We have 20 minutes left with our guest, Steven Levy (not Bill Gates). Keep those questions coming....

La Jolla, CA: Steve, do you think Gates' recent contributions will motivate other cyber billionaires to "step up" their charitables activities, and give back to their communities??

Steven Levy: It wouldn't be so bad. Not long ago there was an article saying that United Fund in Silicon Valley wasn't getting much in the way of contributions. And then Gates himself ga gave to the Silicon Valley UW. MS said that it wasn't an in-your-face to his rival cyber billionaires but...

Raleigh, NC: What does Mr. Gates consider to be the most innovative product Microsoft is working on for the next Millennium?
--Chad

Steven Levy: Is that a pun? Millenium is the codename for the next consumer version of Windows with a different User Interface (developed in part by Steve Capps of Newton/Mac fame) that Bill is very interested in. He also loves Cleartype, the technique his research guys came up with to put clear text on a computer screen.

York, PA: How would you weigh in on the issue of whether Gates and Microsoft have been more good than bad for the computer industry and for the buyers of PC's and software?

Steven Levy: That's a what-if question that's really hard to answer. Obviously, a lot of people choose not to compete with Microsoft. On the other hand, there have been plenty of really innovative Internet companies. Does this mean that we would have seen more innovation in productivity software if MS didn't dominate? Or that it hastened innovation on the Internet because people didn't bother to come up with new ideas on the "old" desktop paradigm? I can see arguments for both sides.

Cupertino, California: I work for Apple, and we have jokes about Microsoft hanging up all over. What is MS's opinion of Apple?

Steven Levy: I think there's a real respect for Apple at MS, which at one point made more money for every Mac sold (because of software sales) than Apple did. (Don't know if that still applies.) I was told that among all the testimony at the trial, that of Avi Tevanian (sp?) of Apple hurt Gates's feelings the most, because he felt that his relationship with Apple was now a good one.

Otis, Mass.: Gates does and advertisement for Calloway Golf clubs. Does he play often and does he take the game seriously?

Steven Levy: Hey, I'm doing this chat from Otis!
From what I hear Gates is no threat to the PGA tour. But he is enthusiastic and, I am told, keeps score in his head for the entire golfing party.

Los Angeles, CA: Is Mr. Gates interested in starting companies in different areas, e.g., in the medical or biotech areas?

Steven Levy: Gates is very interested in biotech and sits on the board of ICOS, a biotech company. Don't know if he plans to start any, but he is an investor in Teledesic (satellite communications) and started Corbis, which seems to want to dominate digital images.

Arlington, VA: How do MicroSoft employees feel about Mr. Bill? I know that sales, marketing and programers often consider MicroSoft to be a sweat shop, but my lawyer friend there thinks it is great.

Steven Levy: Gates is not your normal CEO. No one at MS thinks they're smarter than their boss. He's sort of an internal celebrity, and his presence is something used as a morale builder. He can be very tough in his assessments... blistering, in fact. But MS employees seem to accept this. Certainly they have little to complain about in terms of the money they've gotten from stock options.

Halifax,NS: What has he done to protect his daughter-family from the intense media scrutiny they must be subject to?

Steven Levy: I asked him about this, and he told me that right now, since she is so young (she's 3 and his son is 3 months) it's not nearly the problem it will be later.

katonah, new york: What problem does Bill Gates see as the most important problem facing the world in the next 25 years and what, if anything, is he-Microsoft doing to help?

Steven Levy: Gates gets a lot of questions like this. I won't presume to answer for him, but I can say that we shouldn't look on him as some sort of oracle but a very smart person who is very good at business who was very lucky to (a) be involved in software at this time in history and (b) to have concocted a strategy that was strong in its own and was helped by incompentence on the part of his competitors. As one MS exec told me,'He's just a guy who's turned on by software.'
He wants to give back with his foundations, but the point I want to make, here and in the story, is that we tend to get blinded by the money and the power of Microsoft and don't see who he is.

It's been a lot of fun answering these questions. Thanks for dropping in!

Steven

Andrea Basora: Thanks for joining us. Come back every Wednesday at 12:00 EDT for our Live Cover Talk.