Beyond Computing, Above the Earth

On May 9, 2008, I was one of a 1,000 crowd waiting at Jakarta Convention Center for Bill Gates to give a Presidential Lecture. It was the very first visit that Bill paid to the country and had been a strong magnet attracting enthusiasm of people to watch.

I don't know why it's called a 'Presidential Lecture'. Probably, it was opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and moderated by Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu that both stayed present, along with some other members of Indonesia cabinet and top brass, until the very end of the session. As the moderator introduced, it was part of Government Leaders Forum that regularly invites world dignitaries to deliver presentation to and have discussions with top brass in the goverment. It was the first time that GLF was made public to selectedly invited attendees with Bill Gates addressing the forum. And wherever countries he goes, he seems to make it sure that we would be with the country's numero uno.

Bill was talking about some IT progress and trend, how that technology can help some world issues, and addressing global health and program that his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is working on. He then introduced the audience with the latest Microsoft products, or I would say contribution to IT and community. Microsoft Surface is about a new wave of human interface with computers, a natural way of doing computing, a very human being nature. And Microsoft WorldWideTelescope that is (currently) made free for everyone to explore outer space - stars, galaxy, nebulae and the like. Both are quite impressive and promising (future) Microsoft undertaking. Bill also managed to applause creativity of Indonesia students, called on stage a team of students from ITB winning national software development contest.

Looking at the back, a crowd of students was at the upper balcony, seat allocation given to University of Indonesia, Swis German University, and Univesitas Pelita Harapan. The way the session was delivered. It's like a deja vu of sort of Student Studium General. While it's interesting, nothing is quite special and spectacular. Only Bill Gates in person that make it different and special. The Q & A session was very much controlled with 5 (five) questions were already pre-arranged. A Studium General would be more lively.

Expectations for interesting discussions were popping up when a schduled TV interview with Bill Gates would be aired few days afterwards. But then, the interview with RCTI channel was plain and dry. Creative Capitalism ? Microsoft bid for Yahoo - would it be a hostile take-over ? Competition playing field with Google - earth and outer space ? None was addressed, to name a few of interesting hot topics.

Nonetheless, a salute shall be for Bill Gates that dedicate his time now with his foundation for serious efforts to improving global health and education. The visit is good for Indonesia, in light of, among other things, Visit Indonesia Year campaigns, attracting more foreign investments to come in. A credit to Tony Chen, President Director of Microsoft Indonesia, of being able to help convincing Bill Gates to come visit, after a successful arrangment previously of meeting Presidnet SBY and Bill Gates in USA (Redmond ?). And the keynote speech from the President was quite good, rich, within the context, and with a good sense of humor. I just was wondering who was the speech writer.

For sure, Bill is now now beyond computing, leaving a legacy behind for Microsoft to go above the Earth.