Ballmer is Microsoft's New CEO -- TidBITS doesn't usually cover executive shifts at companies other than Apple, but we should note Bill Gates promoted Steve Ballmer to Microsoft's CEO position last week. Gates will still serve as the chairman of Microsoft's board, and created a new position for himself as Chief Software Architect to oversee strategic directions and software technologies. Gates has extracted himself from Microsoft's day-to-day operations over the last few years, so it's difficult to speculate on long-term effects of this change. However, Gates has long demonstrated support for the Macintosh within Microsoft, while Steve Ballmer has no such history. [GD]

<http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2000/ jan00/final25anv.htm>