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Gates launches Vista on The Daily Show

Published on 30th January 2007 by Wil Harris

Gates and Stewart spar over Vista.

Bill Gates made a hilarious appearance on The Daily Show last night, to launch Windows Vista.

The show, presented by American commentator Jon Stewart, airs on Comedy Central and Gates was on for a sum total of nine minutes.

Pundits in the blogosphere have been marvelling at Microsoft's ability to get prime-time PR at the drop of a hat, and Gates was treated pretty well by Stewart, who some had speculated would rip into Gates for previous Windows hassles.

The segment from the show - which, of course, is up on YouTube - is well worth watching, because it's pretty darned funny. Stewart asks Gates how the company keeps up with 13 year old kids writing viruses, and Gates responds that he hires 14 year olds.

OK, it's probably funnier if you just watch it.

Speaking of watching, keep an eye on the site for our review of Vista today, conducted from the enthusiast point of view. We think you'll find it pretty interesting reading.

In the mean time, let us know what you think of the clip over in the forums.

10 Comments

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metarinka 30th January 2007, 08:35

ya know, he seems really dorky and not the public speaking type. overall pretty funny if only vista wasn't shoving DRM down our throats

kenco_uk 30th January 2007, 08:50

It's not Vista shoving DRM through our lug'oles, though. I've had Vista installed for a while and I haven't come across any DRM. Granted, there's support for DRM, but it's not exactly slammed up against your face every time you boot up.

MrBionic 30th January 2007, 09:30

Yes, and it's not like Microsoft do it out of choice. For example with the HDCP support, it's not Microsoft who decided to invest thousands in putting it in Vista, but it's the stupid film publishers who enforced it. Do you seriously believe that out of nowhere the Microsoft heads just went 'Hey why don't we do a favour for the movie guys and put some DRM in there'? So please, think twice and maybe do a bit of research too before you make silly accusations like this.

Almightyrastus 30th January 2007, 11:32

The daily show interveiws are always good value, that was pretty good. Gates has never been the public speaking type though but I thought he did pretty well. I just wish I had the money to get the hardware needed and a copy of vista now.

r4tch3t 30th January 2007, 11:56

I agree that he's not the public speaking type. Was quite amusing and probably not what he was expecting.
quality ;)

mikeuk2004 30th January 2007, 12:12

Have to watch this when I get home from work.

DarkReaper 30th January 2007, 16:03

He comes across as dorky yes, but still a fairly engaging bloke.

Entertaining vid, cheers :D

mikeuk2004 30th January 2007, 18:09

Liked the bit trying to guess Gates' password :) Got any pets???

robbybertu15 31st January 2007, 00:32

Gates has been in several well known Microsoft TV commericals and made hundreds of presentations, how does that not qualify as a good public speaker? Anyways, good interview.

sui_winbolo 31st January 2007, 04:13

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