AHhh i heard this the other day!. I dont believe it will affect much of anything. I however will think of microsoft differently knowing the richest man in the world is no longer behind the rings. If something better where to come along from someone else, i'd jump ship. Not something i would have done if he was still there. Bill gates will forever be Microsoft. Im proud of his business choice- giving back!
I don't think it will affect the way microsoft works. Was he really doing that much anyway just before he leaves?