Bryon Nichols, IT manager at GBD Architects Inc. in Portland, Ore., said the news was a shock. "Wow, I did not see that coming. I like his reason, though. It is a worthwhile effort."

But for Microsoft, the move may be a negative. "[It's] bad, because Bill Gates has always been seen as Mr. Microsoft."

Peter O'Kelly, an IT industry analyst with Midvale, Utah-based The Burton Group, sees the move as a good one. "[It's a] very logical and orderly succession plan ' and I think it's great that he's going to focus full-time on his foundation," O'Kelly said. "Ray Ozzie is uniquely qualified to take over as Microsoft's chief software architect, and I expect very little disruption during the transition period."

Rick Stuller, CIO at Hawaiian Electric Co. in Honolulu, said he doesn't expect any major changes in Microsoft's strategy after Gates leaves. "I would also hope that [CEO] Steve Ballmer plays an active role in how Microsoft's strategy is shaped, and he seems to be very much in sync with Mr. Gates. At the annual fall Gartner Symposium, I listened to Steve Ballmer, not Mr. Gates, and have thought Steve is leading Microsoft in a competitive manner and doing the right things....

"Microsoft has a lot of intellectual talent and creativity, and although Mr. Gates has been instrumental in some strategic directions, I would hazard a guess that he has product managers and leaders who share his vision and will continue to make sound decisions for Microsoft."