Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates (L) looks on during a news conference at company headquarters in Redmond, Washington June 15, 2006. Microsoft announced that effective July 2008 Gates will transition out of a day-to-day role in the company to spend more time on his global health and education work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. After July 2008, Gates will continue to serve as the companyÕs chairman and an advisor on key development projects. Robert Sorbo/Microsoft/Handout