Bill Gates Vs. Steve Jobs

Peer Group ThreeProfessor Lane

College Writing IIOctober 15th 2014

“He and I, in a sense, grew up together. We were within a year of the same age, and we were kind of

naively optimistic and built big companies. And every fantasy we had about creating products and

learning new things – we achieved all of it. And most of it as rivals. But we always retained a

certain respect and communication, including even when he was sick.” Bill Gates

What brought these two artists together? What about their work or their backgrounds connects

them?

Steve Jobs was the founder of an organization that revolutionized the concept of a personal computer.

Steve, from a business perspective, wanted to deliver a complete package within the design of the

personal computer. He wanted a phenomenal software solution to be complimented by a unique

hardware design all within a beautiful exterior package. Steve lacked the resources to produce

what he had imagined within a software design and eventually contacted Bill Gates CEO of Microsoft to

assist in the development of the Apple II.

Bill Gates in 1975 founded the software organization that has dominated the market share

since, known as Microsoft. Software was and always has been Bill’s main focus. Bill’s

development team at Microsoft surpassed the skillset present within Apple’s organization at the

time. Steve Jobs was aware of this, which prompted him to make a trip up to Washington to contract Microsoft’s services. Microsoft was contracted to

create a version of BASIC (an easy to use programming language), a word processor called Word, and a spreadsheet program called Excel.

Both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were in charge of large scale technologically driven firms. While

competing for the same market share their relationship became more and more bitter.

Although both had resentful feelings towards each other due to the nature of their business, each

companies success can to some extent be contributed to the other. Apple helped Microsoft to

achieve what they currently are within their beginning phases. On the other hand in the late 90s when Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy, Microsoft helped them succeed by developing an

office suite of applications specifically designed for Apple machines.

“For two decades, the race between the two went according to script, with the hare jumping out to a huge early lead, before falling hopelessly behind.

Apple Computer appeared to be headed for bankruptcy in 1997 when Gates and Microsoft came to the rescue with a $150 million investment. While appearing as the noble competitor, Gates could not hide his contempt for his longtime rival. In a Vanity Fair article in 1998, Gates said sneeringly -- "What I can't figure out is why he is even trying. He knows

he can't win." Bill Gates

How might you use these two artists to develop your own explanation of the role of rivalry in

inspiring people who work in creative fields? What details about their work or their relationship to each

other leads you to your conclusion?

What Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have implemented within the everyday lives of average individuals is truly amazing! Without either of these individuals its questionable as to where technology would be today. The rivalry between the two allowed for

rapid technological advancements stemmed from each of the firms headed by these individuals.

Although these two individuals were in fact rivals for some time they both managed to keep one and

other close in their lives.

When Jobs and Gates split, the rivalry between the two pushed them to keep developing new products while improving existing ones. They kept each other on their toes, they kept thinking their product was better than the others’ as seen from all the trash

talking done in the media between the two.

The most profound aspect of their relationship is the fact that they did not have intense feelings of

hatred in any sense towards each other. While Steve Jobs was terminal he invited Bill to his home

because of the profound influence Bill had within his life.

In your opinion, to what extent does defining these two people as rivals blind us to their collaborations? To seeing them as working with each other instead

of against each other?

The rivalry present between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs is one that leaves the average individual completely oblivious to the fact they have had

partnerships amongst there businesses at various points in time. Typically individuals will have the

dispute of which operating system is better, Windows or OS X but rarely is the topic of

conversation about how Apple assisted Microsoft in becoming what they are today and in retrospect

how Apple is only still in existence due to Microsoft’s help.

When comparing the work of the two individuals the products can seem similar but its important to note from a technological perspective just how unique

the work stemmed from each actually is.

Work Cited • http://

mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/gates-jobs_6.jpg

• http://d35gi4nnx3zt2j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shutterstock_155863793.jpg

• http://www.webdesignshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/steve-jobs-vs-bill-gates1.png

• Skovgar, Andrew B. Wilson and Robert O. The American Spectator. December 2012. http://spectator.org/articles/36514/steve-jobs-vs-bill-gates

• http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-and-bill-gates-quotes-2013-5?op=1

• http://everystevejobsvideo.com/steve-jobs-bill-gates-and-microsoft-its-complicated/

• http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-gates-on-steve-jobs-we-grew-up-together/