Looking back in history...
 

I was browsing thru some Unix sites when I came across a timeline about Unix history. In that timeline I saw that Microsoft created a little OS called Xenix... back in 1980. I wonder whatever happened with that OS as I have read up on it before a long way back but forgot Microsoft even made a Unix type OS... hmmm.... Guess if they stuck to it, they might have made a decent OS today.. :D

-trickykid

How about everyone clicking this link, and giving 'em hell for generally being a crappy company with a crappy OS:

http://www2.survey-poll.com/mt/1809/mtVXRtqH.htm

(Hey, it's sort of relevant - just click the link :D)

I never heard of that before - mind you my early microsoft knowledge comes from the film Pirates of Silicon Valley, which says something.

Could you post up the link to the timeline? I am interested in the early computer period. Cheers

I was reading up on Unix at www.unix-systems.org and they have a timeline there...

direct link http://www.unix-systems.org/what_is_..._timeline.html

-trickykid

I never knew that at all.

I was always the impression that they were always making DOS. I wonder why they switched from a UNIX base to their own?

Anyone think that despite what they said back then, they knew the comptuer would become huge, so they wanted to be proprietary and manipulative?

It depends which source you read.

IMO gates was a manipulative person who just wanted to be top in any field he wanted. It think that he definately worked hard with computers - but for the wrong reasons.

One thing is for sure, he couldn't have timed his entry onto the computer scene any better. I think it is luck more than anything.

I agree. People may slate MS for all-sorts, but you have to ask yourself: If I were in the position when it all took off, would I have been any different? Being the head of a reasonable sized corporation means that you are on the look out for any viable method to make money - and that's just what they did. But, back on topic...Has anyone actually ever tried Xenix?

Xenix?

Sorry, I have never heard of it.

And I can also say taht I may have been business minded if I were in Gates shoes, but I would have not taken it as far as he did.

I dunno though - its one of those things.

One day your having a little fun developing software and then boom - your the head of one of the most powerful companies in the world.

Microsoft still suck, and there is no excuse for their attitude these days. There company direction and business model is not suited to the computer industry, and for that reason I Linux instead.

More M$ info:
 

Saw this on the register - haven't read it fully yet, but it looks related to this thread.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/24504.html

Re: More M$ info:
 

Does this mean that Win3.0 was written and compiled on a Xenix box?

Oh no! So all this time we've been slating XP (NT5.1) we've really been talking about another Unix-like OS?

It was my understanding that Gates didn't even develop the software himself... he paid some computer geek(s) to write DOS and he assumed full rights to it. After IBM started pumping money into his pockets, he hired people to continue it's development. I doubt the guy even knows how to spell "C" :)

Anyone hear any different?

Gates is a programmer, he just didn't have a OS at the time he presented IBM with his offer, so he bought DOS. I am sure though he doesn't do much programming now, not when he can afford to just pay others to do it.

-trickykid