Planning for future

Bill and Allen were passing through the changeover phase of life when one is at the end of his student life and starts thinking of his career. One has big dreams, some doubts, uncertainties and apprehensions. Sometimes goal is not clear. They had a long way to go but the uncertanities could not deter their self confidence and morales.

Leader of Lakeside Programmer Group

It was around the year 1969 when Triple C (Computer Centre Corporation) was facing financial downside. By March, 1970 it closed down. It was a bad news for Programmer Group of Lakeside School. Bill and his friends were now forced to look for options to remain connected to the computers. They must find computer time somewhere else.
They got the chance. Paul Allen’s father worked in Washington University. Some computers were available there. Bill and Allen started to visit W.U. Campus. Here no one knew of their talents reguarding computers. It was now imperative for the Lakeside whiz kids to demonstrate their digital knowledge and exceptional capabilities in programming. They were looking for a right opportunity.
In 1971 Bill’s groups got a chance to work for the Information Sciences Incorporated (ISI). The Programmers Group was contracted to prepare its pay-roll program. This time the wages included free computer time plus money. ISI officials believed in the principle that the boys deserved royalty in money for their successful program besides free computer time. Thus, the programmer group began to earn actual money. It greatly boosted the morale of the boys and now they had confidence in their talent. Bill and Allen were on firm ground of their proven worth. The two decided to work together to prepare a project for some company.

Bill Gates with his school mates

By the name of Traff-O-Data Bill and Allen created a mini-computer. It was helpful in regulating the flow of traffic. It was a project job that earned them a tidy amount. They made $ 20,000. It was a big sum considering that time and their student status. They called their outfit by the same name as the product Traff-o-Data remained in existence till Bill was in Lakeside school. It shut down when Bill left to join college for higher education.
Traff-o-Data experience proved a great morale booster for the whiz kids. As junior students they had also created a programme that displayed the routine of the school. As senior school students upgraded it into computer project. The boys always were on the look out for for a chance to show their computer skill and also earn some money if possible or trade for free computer time. They did not have to wait long for a real chance.
A security contractor company called TRW was facing the computer bug problem just like Triple-C (Computer Centre Corporation) had faced. There de-bugging posed no problem as the bug was introduced into Triple-C computer system by the boys themselves. They were hackers as well as the crackers. But in the case of TRW Bill and Allen were up against the real bug. But nevertheless the proud and self-confident boys took up the challenge and began to give services to TRW. The boys were able to track and eliminate the bug. Bill Gates made good money. It was at this job that Bill established himself as a skillful programmer.
Bill and Allen now began to dream big. While working for TRW the two thought of setting up their own software company. They wanted to operate as an independent firm. The two had full faith in their skill and capability.

Still in love with computer

Bill went to Boston in 1973 for high education to join Harvard University. He was yet uncertain about the subject he was going to take. He opted for law with an unsure or keen mind and got nominated. Under freshman course he ticked mathematics. But Harvard mathematics course were very tough and complex. Bill was okay at this level too and like Lakeside he was not feeling at home with other subjects. The place he liked best again was computer centre of Harvard University. He could be seen hovering around it most of the time. The night he spent sitting before a computer and slept in the day classes. Bill and Allen kept up their touch with each other. The relationship was becoming deeper. They would often discuss the possibilities of future and starting their own software venture.

Boyhood dream comes true

In Bill’s last semester and period they decided to live in proximity to each other to be able to thrash out their future plans. During summer vacation the two youngmen got together and worked for Honeywell. Before the end of the vacation Allen put pressure on Bill to take some concrete step towards setting up their software venture. But Bill could not take any firm decision.
It was also a fact that Bill was not fully committed to the study of law at Harward. The subject seemed to bore him. Most of the time he would be either in the computer room or playing poker with friends. He knew he was losing out on the studies of law but could not get away from the computer. Bill Gates spent two years at Harward putting up a show of studying law. But his heart was not in it. He came home to his parents, William and Mary appearing to be on vacation from the studies. But Bill knew his Harward days were over and he would not be going back to it. His heart and mind were vested in computer software.

Leave a Comment

Shopping Cart
×

Hello!

Click one of our contacts below to chat on WhatsApp

× How can I help you?