With a “hello world” and a shout out to Ryan Seacrest, Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has joined Twitter.
The world’s richest man just met the social media network where millions of users issue reports of 140 characters or less.
On Tuesday afternoon, Gates posted his first tweet: ” ‘Hello World.’ Hard at work on my foundation letter — publishing on 1/25.’ ”
The reference was to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest nonprofit.
Gates’ office confirmed the Twitter account, @billgates, was the real Bill Gates. A Gates representative declined to give any more details about what topics Gates planned to discuss on Twitter.
Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos confirmed the company was aware of the account but declined to comment further.
By the late afternoon, Gates had exchanged public messages with “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and actor Ashton Kutcher.
He thanked Seacrest for his fundraising work on Haiti.
Kutcher received a “thank you” for welcoming Gates to Twitter.
In addition to nonprofits, news sites and Microsoft accounts, Gates chose to follow actress Ashley Tisdale and Queen Rania of Jordan.
Read the original article from Tribune News Services.