Microsoft’s British HQ fly their flag at half-staff for Steve Jobs

By Tom Warren, on 6th Oct 11 3:18 pm with 34 Comments

Microsoft’s UK headquarters chose to mark the passing of Steve Jobs by flying their flag half-staff in respect.

Steve Jobs passed away on October 5, aged just 56. Microsoft chairman and co-founder Bill Gates provided a statement on Wednesday saying he was “truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death.” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer also offered his “deepest condolences at the passing of Steve Jobs, one of the founders of our industry and a true visionary.”

Microsoft’s British headquarters flew their flag at half-staff on Thursday to mark the passing of Steve Jobs.

Update: Microsoft is also flying their flags at half-staff at every campus worldwide.

Microsoft's UK headquarters on October 6

Image Credit: @rmdrao via MyMicrosoftLife

  • Eddie Lee

    :)

  • Impartial

    respect

  • Martha

    Thank you Steve. R.I.P.
    Share your memories http://www.webpetitions.com/petition/steve-jobs-memorial/8499

  • http://twitter.com/rameshthanikodi Ramesh Thanikodi

    respect

  • Anonymous

    I have a wall of text I would like to post, feel free to share it.

    I am not an Apple fan, but I know how much influence Steve Jobs had on the modern technology industry, and I know to give respect when it is due, and he deserves it from every person that has been affected by any modern computing device. I have seen a few comments saying “So what? He was just the Apple guy.” After having a full night reflecting on the impact he has had on so many, and now realizing how much more of an impact he had on me than I ever imagined, I am ready to write my findings and I hope many others do the same.

    For many of us growing up in the age of the modern pc, the Apple computer was the first we ever used. I experienced both the Apple and IBM pc in school at a very young age, with recognition that they were different, but with no loyalty to either brand. To me, Apple vs Microsoft is essential, they help each other as much as they compete with each other, moving tech forward and providing “a better way” for all of us. My insane love for technology is in large part due to my early exposure to these products and I wouldn’t change this for anything.

    Some of us grew up watching the battle between IBM and Apple, and then Microsoft and Apple, Gates vs. Jobs. We aspired to be them, perhaps we still do now as much as we did then. The computer was our haven, a place for techies to get away from the stress of the world, or perhaps just a tool that greatly improved your productivity. Sometimes I would get so lost in that screen that I could forget that there was even a world beyond the border of the monitor. To lose one of the founders of our modern computing age, that helped change who we are, is a tragedy no matter who you cheer for.

    Apple may not have created the pc, nor the smartphone or tablet, but they siezed opportunity and they focused on perfection. They were able to compile that cutting edge tech in to a usable and clean design. Both Microsoft and Apple saw the importance of the mouse and GUI, and without each other the technology would not be as advanced as it is now. Both Microsoft and Apple have very talented designers and engineers, but Steve Jobs was one of the very rare people that had the boldness, the stubbornness, and the passion for perfection to organize and execute as fast and effectively as Apple has.

    There is no need for a war of words about who is better, because it all comes down to preference. What you believe is better, may only be better for you, but we have to love that we have been enabled to prefer one or the other. As a Microsoft fan and User, I thank you Apple and most of all, Steve Jobs, for driving us forward, inspiring us to dream of a better way, starting revolutions in computing and smartphones, and making our lives so much more connected.

    tl;dr version

    We lost a founder of our modern age. Love technology, not just brands, and RIP Steve Jobs. Thank you sir.

    • http://twitter.com/OldCongress Gamer

      Although I don’t like Apple but ironically my first computer ever used is the round shaped Mac computer. That was year 2000.

    • Aceoforder

      More elegant than I could have put it. I echo every single word in this post.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Olisaebuka-Maduka/1332058518 Olisaebuka Maduka

      You wrote everything I wanted to write and more, thank you.
      Steve, you will always be remembered and recognized for making technology a haven where geeks and non-geeks live harmoniously together, you made hard things easy and the rough you made beautiful.
      Rest in peace Steve and may God comfort all who mourn for you.

    • Guest

      Nicely said!

      Steve Jobs along with Bill Gates have done so much for modern technology and made the rest of us stand-up, listen and aspire to achieve so much more, for that we salute you Mr Jobs. RIP

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Viki-Maverick/100002523433166 Viki Maverick

    There is a Steve Jobs out there somewhere. Its just a matter of time. He will come back again.

    • Anonymous

      Like Jesus.

    • Anonymous

      He is already here in the form of Mark Zuckerberg.

    • Justforthrecord

      Leaving Trolling to W.O.W. ArrowSmith. It’s time you went back to playing your Troll Class on World of War Craft.

    • Guest

      Similar ethics, that’s for sure.

  • RommelS

    Thumbs Up to you Steve!

  • Guest

    Another classy move by MS. Would have liked to see the Bing image today being a tribute too.

    Jobs impact has been profound.

  • Dicks Oak

     Half-staff? Lmao never heard of that one.
    Last time I checked it was “Half mast”

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001825207750 Jason Hughey

      Not to imply that you are ignorant but…

      The US Flag Code TITLE 4 > CHAPTER 1 > Sec. 7. “Position and manner of display” consistently uses the phrase “half-staff” throughout subsection (m) including “(m)(1) the term ”half-staff” means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;”
      A Google search of the whitehouse.gov website shows consistent use of the phrase “Half-staff” and no use of “half-mast”There is one example in a recent White House press release related to an Executive Order on when to fly the flag at half-staff.

      Just because you have never heard of a term does not mean it does not exist.

    • Mark Myst

      Half-staff is on land, half-mast is on the ocean.

    • http://twitter.com/LachlanCMcLeod Lachlan C McLeod

      thank you..

      and its an american company paul

    • Paul Wharmby

      Not to imply that you are ignorant but…

      British building, British flag-pole, British rules – of both etiquette and grammar. Note that the Union Flag is still flying at full-mast, which is correct.

      I fail to see the relevance of the US Flag Code (they need a code?) or your search of the White House website. Try the BBC.

      Just because you have never heard of a country does not mean it does not exist.

  • Guest

    Steve Jobs epitaph: iPwndBallmer

    • Anonymous

      Dude – stay classy!

  • http://www.acquisitionormerger.com/ GiMan

    That I wouldn’t ever expect

  • http://twitter.com/vhaakmat Vincent Haakmat

    Nothing but respect for The Man, Steve Jobs, but even more so for Microsoft the company that didn’t need/have to do it, but still did. I hope trollers around the world take notice

    • Anonymous

      They only did it because the harsh media glare is on them. MSFTies hate everything about Apple. I bet some even threw private parties.

    • Guest

      Everybody here already knows you’re an idiot. Why keep providing proof?

    • Anonymous

      From now on, I can assure you everyone hates you. But you seem to like that fact.

  • Penta2100

    All though I love windows products. I feel as if a peice of me is missing. R.I.P. Steve… R.I.P.

  • Anonymous

    Jobs was certainly perceptive in his steerage of Apple and visionary, but you have to also realise he had formidable people behind him. Particularly British designer Johnathan Ives who is still at Apple and we have to thank for the design of iPod, iPhone and iPad. The ingenuity of British design leads the world and Jobs was smart in recognising Ives. Another example of his ability to recognise top class people.  I am sure will will join many greats, museums will remember him.

    The one thing i really like was during the low days of Apple when he came on board, and Microsoft more of less painted them as a “old horse in a niche market”. Look who has the last laugh? Jobs not only drove the company with such aggressive but also gave the public what they wanted (and the technology works) to the derision of Microsoft looking on. 

    Steve Ballmer belittled the iPad but even he must now admit he got it wrong! Jobs was not afraid of Microsoft and built a bigger and more successful company than them. He will also be remembered for that! 

  • Anonymous

    I initially appreciated MS’s reaction to steve job’s death, but i now think they’re over-reacting! i mean come on, was it the other way, you think apple would have done the same? i cant help but thinking that apple’s response would have been to come out and sarcastically say “oh, we didnt know MS employees get cancer/virus cause we never have that problem”. Every person’s death is sad but let’s keep things in perspective people!

    • g1

      its not jet ms my friend … every person who loves technology should should over react and are over reacting coz, steve jobs is one unique person who deserves it…  

    • Anonymous

      how do you know he deserves it? he was a visionary and successful businessman, but that per se doesnt make him worthy of respect! Did he ever contributed to charity? did he ever help the people in need? Did he even for one second consider those people? Did the idea of his company using child-labour in far-east even bother him? Did he ever show the slightest respect towards ANYBODY, competition, customers or otherwise? or he was simply an arrogant billionaire who had one thing in mind and that was business? I’m not claiming he was or he was not any of these things, i’m just saying until and unless you know these things you cant claim he was worthy of respect.

  • RTG

    …isn’t that Union Flag upside down?