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Search success hasn't translated to other Google efforts

Eric Schmidt and his fellow Googlers probably can't wait for Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to get the heck out of the business world and go on with his philanthropic works.

Unlike Schmidt, who needed a phalanx of PR people to protect him from CNET's reporter Elinor Mills in Orlando lest she actually question him about something other than Google Health, Gates seems to welcome being questioned.

Google's role in search and its ascendance to global prominence drew Gates' wry commentary about the company during his appearance at the SharePoint Conference. The Microsoft blog by Todd Bishop picked up on several reflections by Gates about a company he has called in the past the most like Microsoft in terms of competitiveness.

Gates on Google and business applications: "In terms of Google, not to overstate it, but they really don't understand the special needs of business."

Gates on Google's product development: "Most of these Google products, to be frank, the day they announce them is their best day..."

Gates on the chat client, Google Talk: "I remember there was one called G Talk. I can barely remember the name but it was so, you know, it was going to change the world..."

His comments provided a pretty damning summary of what impact Google has on the world outside of its stellar core search service. But even Gates isn't completely transparent; he's not saying who he plans to support for President.