I can imagine
by Volker Weber
But during one of those last long nights of working to finish-up DOS 2.0, something happened. I have heard this story from two people, each of whom was a friend of Allen's and in a position to know. Each told me the same story the same way. I am not staking my reputation on the accuracy of the story, but I am saying I have it from two good sources. Paul Allen certainly won't confirm or deny it, so I'll just throw it out for you to consider.
During one of those last long nights working to deliver DOS 2.0 in early 1983, I am told that Paul Allen heard Gates and Ballmer discussing his health and talking about how to get his Microsoft shares back if Allen were to die.
Maybe that's just the sort of fiduciary discussion board members have to have, but it didn't go over well with Paul Allen, who never returned to Microsoft, and over the next eight years, made huge efforts to secure his wealth from the fate of Microsoft.
Comments
Cringely writes at the end of his post:
What do you do when your wealth is immense but completely tied to people whom you inherently do not trust? If you are Paul Allen you watch your tongue and spend eight years getting out from under that burden.Creative guys have often mediocre crooks as business partners who try to strangle them by infamous contracts and try to make them dependend until the end of days. These assholes are really true parasites! Believe me. Excuse my language, Volker.
BTW, a guy who is a fan of Jimi Hendrix like Paul Allen can't be bad ... ;)
Cem Basman, 2006-04-02
Paul Allen owns ticketmaster I believe, that is reason enough for me to hate him.
They are one of the biggest ripoff companies in the world!
Carl Tyler, 2006-04-03
