SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp.'s Chief Technology Officer Nathan Myhrvold denied Monday a report that he was being forced out but said he will begin a one-year leave of absence from the software giant on July 1.

Myhrvold took issue with a Time magazine report in its issue dated June 7 that he was forced out by Microsoft President Steve Ballmer.

"I have not seen the Time story myself, but from what I have heard, it is completely, utterly without any basis in truth," Myhrvold told Reuters Monday in a telephone interview.

"Steve Ballmer did not force me out in any way. This is something I've been thinking about for some time. I worked it out with Bill Gates (Microsoft chairman and chief executive officer) and Bill was pushing me to stay, not go," Myhrvold said.

Time cited sources inside and outside of Microsoft saying Ballmer had ousted Myhrvold.

The weekly cited one Microsoft source as saying that Myhrvold was out of the office pursuing hobbies like car racing, paleontology and gourmet cooking more than he was in the office heading the $3 billion research department.

"If only that were the case, then I wouldn't need to take time off. But anyone who wants to look at my schedule will see that that's not true," Myhrvold said.

Rick Rashid, vice president of research, will manage basic research activities at Microsoft, the company said in a release.

Myhrvold, 39, said he will return to his current job in July 2000. During his leave, he will act as a consultant for Gates, tend to personal investments and spend time with his family, as well as joining a hunt for dinosaur fossils in eastern Montana this summer.

"Nathan has been an invaluable contributor to Microsoft, the technology industry and to me personally over the past 13 years," Gates said in a statement. "Frankly, I would rather he continue his work at Microsoft, but I support his decision to take a much needed break and explore his passion for science."

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), June 01, 1999

Answers

Go figure !

-- FLAME AWAY (BLehman202@aol.com), June 01, 1999.

Lotsa sabbaticals & extended vacations dawning on folks ;^)

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 01, 1999.

Just saw today (June 1) in Federal Computer Week that 3 state CIOs are leaving - 2 for other work and 1 for retirement. I can't link well but the URL is http://www.fcw.com

Well, well, well . . .

Nice post, Andy.

-- Margaret (janssm@aol.com), June 01, 1999.

The Big Rats are jumping off the ship. If you were rich and knew without a doubt that y2k and inside info about the war and big money that s-it was about to hit the fan in a major International way , wouldnt you take your family to were they had the best chance of survival in the event of a world wide military action. Doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure it out,follow the money people. There actions will speak louder than words. Think peace,just do it.

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike@ conservation .com), June 01, 1999.