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In the following essay, I shall give a brief description of how the PC world has benefittd from Microsoft. Microsoft Corporation is one of the most successful companies in the world. It is based in Redmond, Washington, USA. Ever since it was formed, it has played a very active role in the develpments of various software and in personal computing. With size comes power. Microsoft dominates the PC market with its MS-DOS operating system, the basic software that lets the computer understand your commands and carry them out. MS-DOS runs on 90 percent of the worlds IBM and IBM-clone computers. Microsoft has extended that presence with Windows, a graphics interface environment that runs on top of MS-DOS. Microsoft also supplies about 50 percent of the worlds software applications: programs such as Excel (spreadsheets), Microsoft Word (word processing) and Access (data bases). It is also in the business of networking. multimedia. CD-ROMs. and books. As an early supporter of the Macintosh computer, Microsoft virtually owns the Mac application market. This article is divided into three parts - First part dealing with improvements in operating systems and languages, Second part dealing with software application developments by Microsoft and third part talks about Microsoft's gifts to the hardware industry.
Part One:
It all began in 1975, when in January, Bill Gates and Paul Allen saw a lengthy article on the development of the Altair 8800 by The Micro Instumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS). After seeing that, they started to develop a BASIC Interpreter for Altair. By February they completed the BASIC and liscensed it to their first customer, MITS. Basic thus became the first language developed for a PC. In November, Bill Gates started using the word "Micro-soft" to refer to the partnership he shared with Paul Allen, thus being the first reference to the name.
By 1980, Microsoft came up with three languages for it's use - BASIC, FORTRAN and COBOL-80. It was also responsible for releasing the Z-80 SoftCard, a microprocessor on a printed circuit board that plugs into the AppleII computer and allowed owners to run thousands of programs available, for the 8080/Z-80 class languages for the Z-80. This was a big improvement at that time. Microsoft also announced the first interactive, multi-user, multi-tasking operating system for various 16-bit machines. Microsoft XENIX OS, a portable operating system for 16-bit microprocessors, was an interactive, multi-user, multi tasking system that ran on intel 8086, Zilog Z8000, Motorola M68000, and DEC PDP-11 series. In 1981, when IBM introduced it's PC, it used Microsoft's 16-bit operating system, MS-DOS 1.0, and other Microsoft languages such as COBOL, BASIC and PASCAL. By 1982, Microsoft's Local Area Network linked many computers running XENIX and made the transfer of email easier.
Eventually, it introduced the idea of Microsoft Windows in 1983 which was a variation of DOS. This helped in transferring of data from one application to another and at the same time the user could run multiple unrelated applications at the same time. Meanwhile in 1987, the Microsoft Operating System/2, a new PC operating system was developed that could harness the powers of 286 and 386 micro processors. Windows 2.0, compatible with the then existing Windows program had a system of overlapping windows rather then tiled windows.This was designed to work with OS/2. In 1990, when Microsoft announced the worldwide availability of Windows 3.0, it was a great step from it's predecessor and made computing much easier. The Windows 3.1, introduced in 1992, was more useful as it allowed users to do common activities of sending e-mail, scheduling group meetings, sharing files and printers, managing calendars, and work together on group projects. It provided a choice of netwrorking on its own on exist on a LAN. In 1993, Microsoft introduced MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade. This version integrated data compression, called DoubleSpace, which could safely and easily double the PC's available disk space, free conventional memory, protect data from viruses and accidental deletions. 1995 marked the availability of Windows 95. Windows NT was introduced recently that has many advantages over Windows 95 such as better security, flexiblity, interoperatability, etc. It is more adapted to a networking environment than Windows 95 is.
Part Two:
In 1983 ,Microsoft came up with it's muilti-feature word processing program called Microsoft Word. It was for MS-DOS 1.0. Microsoft played a leading role in developing software for the Apple Macintosh. In 1987, Excel, the first Windows only program with an interactive type spreadsheet/database program was introduced by Microsoft. Thus by now, Microsoft had introduced word processing programs as well as spreadsheets. Gradually, newer versions of Excel was also released for Windows 3.0 and a version for Mac. Also in the same year (1987), Microsoft came up with the first CD-ROM application called Microsoft Bookshelp whch was a collection of 10 of the most popular and useful reference works on a single CD-ROM disk. The frist business productivity application from Microsoft to include multimedia came out in 1991 when it announced a multimedia version of Works for Windows 2.0. This CD-ROM version added digital sounds, animation, and pictures to the program to once make it easy for new users to learn capabilities of the program. In 1992, Microsoft shipped Access Database for Windows. In the following year, Microsoft was responsible for designing the first multimedia encyclopedia for a computer. Encarta contained a full package of high-quality articles, animation, sounds, illustrations, graphs, and photographs as well as cutting edge video technology. To increase user's satisfaction with it's products, Microsoft introduced Microsoft Plus. In 1995, with the introduction of Microsoft Bob for Windows 95, eight different programs such as Letter writer, calendar, checkbook balancer, household manager, address book, e-mail, financial guide and GeoSafari could be used. Microsoft announced Microsoft Project for Windows 95. This new version, designed exclusively for Windows 95, greatly facilitates project communication throughout an organization, and includes improved workgroup functionality, full ODBC support and integration with Microsoft Office for Windows 95. In 1997, Ofifice 97 was introduced for the purpose of integrating the ease of applications with the power of the web. Internet Explorer 4.0 combines the premier Internet browser, communication and collaboration tools, innovative Active Channel™ "push" content and true Web integration to offer users an unparalleled Internet client solution.
Part Three:
Beginning 1982, Microsoft's hardware group was formed with the charter of building a mouse. The first Microsoft Mouse was introduce in 1983. With the Microsoft Mouse Menu, pre-written menu items that permitted use of a mouse with various applications were provided. The Microsoft Mouse version 5.0 ( introduced in 1985) had newer features such as improved-design, higher resolution, and near-silent operation on all surfaces. For use with laptop computers, Microsoft announced the Microsoft BalPoint mouse. The Microsoft Mouse had now better features which included liquid-crystal display screen enhancements and the option to customize the size and color of the pointer. In 1993, Microsoft Mouse 2.0 was introduced with the thought of a better working environment and maximum comfort. Intellipoint software, providing shortcuts and customization to the user, was incorporated in 1994. In the same year, Microsoft Natural Keyboard and Microsoft Home Mouse were announced. The year 1995 marked the introduction of three new products - — EasyBall, the first computer mouse designed for children; the SideWinder 3D Pro, a digital-optical joystick, and the analog SideWinder joystick. In 1996, Microsoft delivered IntelliMouse which combined the advantages of Microsoft Mouse 2.0 and at the same time allowed users to scroll through documents and Web pages without using the keyboard. In addition, Microsoft continued to deliver the best gaming devices available, releasing the SideWinder game pad, the first digital game pad for PC's. Recently in 1997, Microsoft announced the ActiMates early learning system which is a plush animatronic character that interacts with children and enhances their learning when used with a PC, a VCR, or as a stand-alone device.
Thus to conclude, Microsoft has literally manipulated the whole of the PC world. But it's manipulation in a business manner should not be ignore. The introductions of newer versions of the same software application or Windows operating system is an example where we see how Microsoft attracts public towards itself.
Part One:
It all began in 1975, when in January, Bill Gates and Paul Allen saw a lengthy article on the development of the Altair 8800 by The Micro Instumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS). After seeing that, they started to develop a BASIC Interpreter for Altair. By February they completed the BASIC and liscensed it to their first customer, MITS. Basic thus became the first language developed for a PC. In November, Bill Gates started using the word "Micro-soft" to refer to the partnership he shared with Paul Allen, thus being the first reference to the name.
By 1980, Microsoft came up with three languages for it's use - BASIC, FORTRAN and COBOL-80. It was also responsible for releasing the Z-80 SoftCard, a microprocessor on a printed circuit board that plugs into the AppleII computer and allowed owners to run thousands of programs available, for the 8080/Z-80 class languages for the Z-80. This was a big improvement at that time. Microsoft also announced the first interactive, multi-user, multi-tasking operating system for various 16-bit machines. Microsoft XENIX OS, a portable operating system for 16-bit microprocessors, was an interactive, multi-user, multi tasking system that ran on intel 8086, Zilog Z8000, Motorola M68000, and DEC PDP-11 series. In 1981, when IBM introduced it's PC, it used Microsoft's 16-bit operating system, MS-DOS 1.0, and other Microsoft languages such as COBOL, BASIC and PASCAL. By 1982, Microsoft's Local Area Network linked many computers running XENIX and made the transfer of email easier.
Eventually, it introduced the idea of Microsoft Windows in 1983 which was a variation of DOS. This helped in transferring of data from one application to another and at the same time the user could run multiple unrelated applications at the same time. Meanwhile in 1987, the Microsoft Operating System/2, a new PC operating system was developed that could harness the powers of 286 and 386 micro processors. Windows 2.0, compatible with the then existing Windows program had a system of overlapping windows rather then tiled windows.This was designed to work with OS/2. In 1990, when Microsoft announced the worldwide availability of Windows 3.0, it was a great step from it's predecessor and made computing much easier. The Windows 3.1, introduced in 1992, was more useful as it allowed users to do common activities of sending e-mail, scheduling group meetings, sharing files and printers, managing calendars, and work together on group projects. It provided a choice of netwrorking on its own on exist on a LAN. In 1993, Microsoft introduced MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade. This version integrated data compression, called DoubleSpace, which could safely and easily double the PC's available disk space, free conventional memory, protect data from viruses and accidental deletions. 1995 marked the availability of Windows 95. Windows NT was introduced recently that has many advantages over Windows 95 such as better security, flexiblity, interoperatability, etc. It is more adapted to a networking environment than Windows 95 is.
Part Two:
In 1983 ,Microsoft came up with it's muilti-feature word processing program called Microsoft Word. It was for MS-DOS 1.0. Microsoft played a leading role in developing software for the Apple Macintosh. In 1987, Excel, the first Windows only program with an interactive type spreadsheet/database program was introduced by Microsoft. Thus by now, Microsoft had introduced word processing programs as well as spreadsheets. Gradually, newer versions of Excel was also released for Windows 3.0 and a version for Mac. Also in the same year (1987), Microsoft came up with the first CD-ROM application called Microsoft Bookshelp whch was a collection of 10 of the most popular and useful reference works on a single CD-ROM disk. The frist business productivity application from Microsoft to include multimedia came out in 1991 when it announced a multimedia version of Works for Windows 2.0. This CD-ROM version added digital sounds, animation, and pictures to the program to once make it easy for new users to learn capabilities of the program. In 1992, Microsoft shipped Access Database for Windows. In the following year, Microsoft was responsible for designing the first multimedia encyclopedia for a computer. Encarta contained a full package of high-quality articles, animation, sounds, illustrations, graphs, and photographs as well as cutting edge video technology. To increase user's satisfaction with it's products, Microsoft introduced Microsoft Plus. In 1995, with the introduction of Microsoft Bob for Windows 95, eight different programs such as Letter writer, calendar, checkbook balancer, household manager, address book, e-mail, financial guide and GeoSafari could be used. Microsoft announced Microsoft Project for Windows 95. This new version, designed exclusively for Windows 95, greatly facilitates project communication throughout an organization, and includes improved workgroup functionality, full ODBC support and integration with Microsoft Office for Windows 95. In 1997, Ofifice 97 was introduced for the purpose of integrating the ease of applications with the power of the web. Internet Explorer 4.0 combines the premier Internet browser, communication and collaboration tools, innovative Active Channel™ "push" content and true Web integration to offer users an unparalleled Internet client solution.
Part Three:
Beginning 1982, Microsoft's hardware group was formed with the charter of building a mouse. The first Microsoft Mouse was introduce in 1983. With the Microsoft Mouse Menu, pre-written menu items that permitted use of a mouse with various applications were provided. The Microsoft Mouse version 5.0 ( introduced in 1985) had newer features such as improved-design, higher resolution, and near-silent operation on all surfaces. For use with laptop computers, Microsoft announced the Microsoft BalPoint mouse. The Microsoft Mouse had now better features which included liquid-crystal display screen enhancements and the option to customize the size and color of the pointer. In 1993, Microsoft Mouse 2.0 was introduced with the thought of a better working environment and maximum comfort. Intellipoint software, providing shortcuts and customization to the user, was incorporated in 1994. In the same year, Microsoft Natural Keyboard and Microsoft Home Mouse were announced. The year 1995 marked the introduction of three new products - — EasyBall, the first computer mouse designed for children; the SideWinder 3D Pro, a digital-optical joystick, and the analog SideWinder joystick. In 1996, Microsoft delivered IntelliMouse which combined the advantages of Microsoft Mouse 2.0 and at the same time allowed users to scroll through documents and Web pages without using the keyboard. In addition, Microsoft continued to deliver the best gaming devices available, releasing the SideWinder game pad, the first digital game pad for PC's. Recently in 1997, Microsoft announced the ActiMates early learning system which is a plush animatronic character that interacts with children and enhances their learning when used with a PC, a VCR, or as a stand-alone device.
Thus to conclude, Microsoft has literally manipulated the whole of the PC world. But it's manipulation in a business manner should not be ignore. The introductions of newer versions of the same software application or Windows operating system is an example where we see how Microsoft attracts public towards itself.
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