Microsoft founder Bill Gates took part in a Reddit 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) on Monday - via an 80 inch Windows 8 computer.
The billionaire co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation used his giant screen to answer questions on everything from Apple and his history at Microsoft, to the fight against malaria.
He also revealed what a man who has everything gets for his birthday.
"Free software," he said. "Just kidding. Books actually."
Among the questions Gates answered were:
Why did he not leave his kids more than $10 in inheritance?
"I definitely think leaving kids massive amounts of money is not a favor to them. Warren Buffett was part of an article in Fortune talking about this in 1986 before I met him and it made me think about it and decide he was right. Some people disagree with this but Melinda and I feel good about it."
What's the cheapest thing that gives him pleasure?
"Kids. Cheap cheeseburgers. Open Course Ware courses..."
What computer does he use?
"I just got my Surface Pro a week ago and it is very nice. I am using a Perceptive Pixel display right now - huge Windows 8 touch whiteboard. These will come down in price over time and be pervasive…"
What emerging tech will make the biggest impact?
"Robots, pervasive screens, speech interaction will all change the way we look at "computers". Once seeing, hearing, and reading (including handwriting) work very well you will interact in new ways.."
What was his relationship with Steve Jobs like?
"He and I respected each other. Our biggest joint project was the Mac where Microsoft had more people on the project than Apple did as we wrote a lot of applications. I saw Steve regularly over the years including spending an afternoon with him a few months before he tragically passed away…"
What's his biggest fear for the world?
"Hopefully we won't have terrorists using nuclear weapons or biological weapons. We should make sure that stays hard. I am disappointed more isn't being done to reduce carbon emissions. Governments need to spend more on basic energy R&D to make sure we get cheap non-CO2 emitting sources as soon as possible. Overall I am pretty optimistic. Things are a lot better than they were 200 years ago.."
What are his thoughts on Windows 8?
"It is a huge advance for Windows which people will see even more as the great applications and hardware come out.."
He added, after the AMA: