Microsoft announced that it has selected West Des Moine,Iowa city as the site for its latest massive data center.

Microsoft’s general manager for data services, said

Decision was made after a careful review of options around the world. Microsoft serves over 500 million unique users in its Web properties every single month.

This site will be Microsoft’s fourth massive data center after Quincy - Washington, San Antonio and Chicago

[ Microsoft to build $500M data center in Iowa ]

Billionaire Bill Gates logs off today after 33 years in day-to-day control of the world’s biggest software company — Microsoft Corp.

Mr. Gates will remain part-time chairman of the board. Gates expected to deliver a valedictory address to the software company’s 90,000 employees with his right-hand man, Microsoft’s chief executive Steve Ballmer, by his side. Staff around the world will watch via a webcast.

In 1981 the company launched MS-DOS, its first commercial software, which was licensed to IDM. It was followed four years later by Windows, which Gates allowed PC makers to pre-install on PCs, creating a ready-made market for the software.

Microsoft Corp. said it intends to acquire Kidaro, a provider of desktop virtualization systems for enterprises, as part of its virtualization strategy for an undisclosed sum.

Kidaro’s technology will be incorporated into its desktop virtualization product.

Microsoft says that the combined technology could help companies save money and increase control over their desktop computers.