11 Facts About Microsoft

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Microsoft...The majority of individuals immediately think of Windows, Office, or possibly Xbox when they hear that term. However, the organization is far more complex than the majority of us understand. Beyond its well-executed software lies an unsettling and frequently unforeseen history that includes unique projects, captivating collaborations, and significant events that influenced the development of the tech sector as it exists now. Even though you may believe you are familiar with Microsoft, you will likely be scratching your head in surprise after reading this list.

1. Microsoft Started With a BASIC Interpreter: Allow us to go back to 1975. Microsoft's initial product was a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800, one of the first personal computers, prior to Word or Windows being concepts. Given that Gates and Allen created BASIC on a simulator without even possessing an Altair, it may seem archaic presently, however it was significant at that point in time. That is quite a do-it-yourself undertaking.

2. Microsoft Licensed MS-DOS, Did Not Own it Initially: The operating system that propelled Microsoft's upward trajectory in the 1980s was MS-DOS. However, it was not theirs at first. They obtained a license from a business that developed a product known as QDOS, or Quick and Dirty Operating System. Everything that followed is historical. Microsoft marketed it as MS-DOS for IBM.

3. Microsoft's First Hardware Was a Mouse: Microsoft's hardware aspirations started with a product far more basic: a mouse, prior to Xbox controllers or Surface tablets. When it was first released in 1983, when graphical user interfaces were still new, it was packaged in a box alongside Microsoft Word and Notepad. The price was $195, which is a lot of money for a plastic clicker.

4. Microsoft Was Almost Named "Interface Manager": "Interface Manager" appears less like a worldwide operating system and much more like a boring office job. Nevertheless, that was the initial suggestion for the name that is now known as Windows. Fortunately, somebody changed it out of common sense. “My Interface Manager just crashed.” Is that really possible?

5. Microsoft Excel Beat Lotus 1-2-3 on Macs First: The original version of Excel was released for the Macintosh in 1985, before Microsoft took over the market for Windows-based workplace applications. Prior to Windows taking over, it assisted Microsoft establish reputation and gave Lotus 1-2-3 a serious run for their money. Mac-first Microsoft? Yes, that did occur.

6. Microsoft Launched Its Own Travel Agency: Microsoft began Expedia as an internal experiment in the 1990s. Yes, the same Expedia that the majority of us depend on to book hotels and flights was founded in the same building as Windows. Although it ultimately separated off into a separate business, it serves as an indication that Microsoft experimented with other industries besides software.

7. Microsoft Saved Apple From Bankruptcy: If you are passionate about the Apple vs. Microsoft rivalry, this one hurts a little. Apple was on the verge of going bankrupt in 1997. With a $150 million investment and a public pledge to continue producing Microsoft Office for Mac, Microsoft intervened. Apple could have potentially vanished without it. Envision the manner in which technology could seem nowadays if there were no iPhones or MacBooks.

8. Microsoft Once Made a Digital Encyclopedia: Microsoft's own digital encyclopedia, Encarta, existed prior to Wikipedia. When it first came out in 1993, it was remarkably successful for a period and was available on CD-ROMs (do you recall those?). However, similar to a lot other electronics, it was unable to keep up with the internet. By 2009, Wikipedia's user-generated, free model had overtaken Encarta.

9. Microsoft Owns LinkedIn: The $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn by Microsoft in 2016 received far less attention than some of its other actions. However, at that moment, it was Microsoft's largest acquisition. It gave them greater authority in the recruiting and professional networking arena. Nowadays, if you are looking for a job, you are probably using a platform owned by Microsoft.

10. Microsoft Developed an OS For The Car: Microsoft was significantly ahead of the competition with its own car-based operating system, Windows Embedded Automotive, even though everybody is talking about Tesla and Android Auto. It appeared in a few Ford and Nissan automobiles, but it did not catch on. Nevertheless, it is an additional instance of Microsoft trying new things in unanticipated sectors.

11. Microsoft Bob Was an Infamous Failure: Lastly, it would be impossible to discuss Microsoft's history without mentioning Microsoft Bob. Bob, a 1995 release, was designed to make computers more "friendly" by using cartoon characters to lead users through a virtual home. It was swiftly pulled after being extensively criticised. Bill Gates has admitted that it was a failure. Interestingly, the fact that Bob's work included the earliest pieces by Melinda French, who would go on to become Melinda Gates, may be his greatest enduring achievement.

Summary: Microsoft’s Unexpected Evolution

Although it is simple to minimize Microsoft to software and business transactions, the company's history contains a lot of human elements, including mistakes, unexpected events, dangerous situations, as well as some humour. Consider it this way: Microsoft is more than simply a tech firm; it is the result of decades of experimentation, insightful turns, and unanticipated decisions. Perhaps you are a businessperson who is having trouble determining which methods are effective. Or perhaps you simply want to know how the biggest names in technology got to where they are. In any case, Microsoft's unique and unexpected past serves as an indication that advancement frequently appears a little unexpected at the very beginning. The main lesson is that even the most successful businesses began gently, using a mouse that cost more than a week's rent, a leased operating system, and a simple programming tool.