Microsoft announced that Bill Gates is stepping down as chief software architect and that'll gradually leave his day-to-day role in the next two years. Gates, the co-founder, will remain as chairman. Co-CTO Ray Ozzie (of Lotus fame) takes over the software job, while the other co-CTO, Craig Mundie, will focus on research and strategy.

Martin Taylor is leaving Microsoft. Taylor was the corporate VP for Windows Live and MSN and was known as Microsoft's anti-Linux guy. Apparently he's leaving on bad terms, but the full story is unclear.

CA, the company we still think of as Computer Associates, promoted Al Nuget to the job of CTO. He was previously director of CA's enterprise systems management group, and also held CTO gigs at Novell and BellSouth.

Patricia Szoka Morris joined VA Software as its new CFO, replacing Kathleen McElwee, who left earlier this month.