Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Tuesday, March 08, 2016

Microsoft is trying to bring back the '80s with its Windows 10 strategy

Probably the smartest choice Bill Gates ever made came in 1980, when he decided not to hand over the copyright for Microsoft's first operating system to IBM.

In 1980, IBM contracted a startup called Microsoft to deliver DOS, an operating system for its forthcoming IBM PC, on a tight deadline.

The IBM PC came out in 1981 and soon became a smash hit, surpassing the leading Apple II.

A horde of competitors rushed to build their own "IBM Compatible" clones that could run all of the same software and use all of the same hardware upgrades.

But to build those IBM clones, they needed DOS. And if they wanted DOS, they needed to fork over cash to Microsoft. Microsoft kept the rights in lieu of royalties from IBM.

More

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think more and more about Linux.

Anonymous said...

Just the same as Gillette did in the 1920s with giving away their safety razors and selling the blades. Cha-ching!

Anonymous said...

Windows 10 , just like windows 8 and 8.1 are not safe and are certainly not private. If you loose the password to log on to your personal computer you can reset the password via your Microsoft account.
So you think your data is safe form anyone getting in and Microsoft can reset your LAPTOP password remotely.
Every time you turn on your PC you are logging in to Microsoft whether you want to or not.
Oh, and don't forget. Microsoft is heading to a subscription based operating system. Don't pay your monthly subscription fee and you are locked out of your computer.
Please someone out there come up with an alternative to Microsoft!