What does a Software Architect Do?

Is Gates in charge of Microsoft? Back in 2000, business reporters thought he was stepping down. And now, over on Slashdot, the trolls are growsing about how Bill Gates "now focuses on what happens on the software level, leaving all the other things like antitrust lawsuits to Ballmer.... rather than coming up with exclusionary contracts for business dealings, he is now working on controlling intellectual property."

This is complete and utter bullshit, as anyone who's worked at Microsoft over the last 5 years could tell you.

Gates is involved, more than ever, in the day to day decisions of whether or not a particular product will ship, when it will ship, and what features it will contain. He is in charge of every product review -- and everyone still talks about the "Bill G." meeting that went well (or not so well). Despite the statements of "removal" and "distance" in recent books, Gates is still very much in charge. Jesus Christ, folks -- he's the primary shareholder! He can fire Ballmer in a heartbeat, if he wanted to!!!