Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announced today that he will transition from day-to-day responsibilities at the company he co-founded to concentrate on charitable work…but will continue as the company’s chairman after transferring his duties over a two-year period. That has a familiar ring to it.

Impossible not to wonder if Bill doesn’t see some writing on the wall for MS and wants to step down before the company looses it’s place in The Great Digital Scheme of Things. Or, maybe it’s just time to do something different. Why not?

While it’s difficult to imagine a world in which Microsoft isn’t a major player, I can remember watching nuke-laden B-52’s skimming over Kennett on their way to the SAC base at Blytheville, Arkansas. Couldn’t imagine a world without the USSR. Then, one day, it was just gone. Poof. What? You think comparing Microsoft and the fall of the Soviet Union is a stretch? Maybe it’s just the effect of resting my wrists on this Mac Book.

Personally, I’m grateful that Mr. Gates came along and gave us Windows. He made computing easier and more fun for smays. I wish him well.