14 DAY TRIAL // Almost 25 years ago, Microsoft was starting to ship Windows 1.0 to dealers and retailers. November 25th, 1985 marked the retail availability of Windows 1.0, an operating system designed to expand the DOS platform, while allowing users to continue running DOS applications. Yes, even as early as version 1.0, Windows was all about backward compatibility. But Windows has certainly evolved a great deal since 1985, with Windows 7 now being the fastest selling operating system in history, having past the 175 million sold copies mark for a while now.
But every once in a while it feels good to go back in time and discover from IT artifacts, even if they are from the PR world.
Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie, the man that together with Craig Mundie, Chief Research and Strategy Officer, replaced Bill Gates, shared the PR materials that accompanied the launch of Windows 1.0 with the world.
It appears that Ozzie is back to blogging again (using Wordpress, after being migrated away from Windows Live Spaces which will be discontinued), and he used this opportunity to go back in time and offer the public a piece of Windows memorabilia.
“As my old Windows Live Spaces blog was in the process of being migrated to WordPress, it occurred to me that this is opportunity to share something with you that I happened to stumble across some weeks ago when straightening out a bit of the mess that’s my home office,” Ozzie stated.
“Inside a sealed packet I found a wonderful artifact from decades ago – a folder of collaterals from the Windows 1.0 launch event. It was possibly handed to me at that time by Pam Edstrom, whose business card was enclosed.”
Ozzie scanned the documents and posted them on Docs.com for all to access. Docs.com, in case you weren’t aware is an equivalent of Office Web Apps, the Cloud extension of Office 2010, designed for Facebook users.
Of course, being a project close to Ozzie’s heart, Docs.com certainly could use some publicity, and it is bound to get a bump in traffic now that the company’s Chief Software Architect shared the Windows 1.0 launch docs with the world.
Here is an excerpt from the press release for Windows 1.0’s launch:
“BELLEVUE, WA -- NOVEMBER 20, 1985 -- Microsoft Corporation announced today the retail shipment of the Microsoft Windows operating environment to dealers and distributors.
Microsoft Windows extends the features of the DOS operating system, yet is compatible with most existing applications that run under DOS.
Windows lets users integrate the tasks they perform with their computer by providing the ability to work with several programs at the same time and easily switch between them without having to quit and restart individual applications. In addition, it provides a rich foundation for a new generation of applications.
"Windows provides unprecedented power to users today and a foundation for hardware and software advancements of the next few years," said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. "It is unique software designed for the serious PC user, who places high value on the productivity that a personal computer can bring."
In addition, the retail product includes a set of desktop applications which helps the user to manage day-to-day activities.
These are based on the Windows interface which simplifies program interaction. As a special introductory offer, Windows Write (a writing program) and Windows Paint (a drawing program) will also be included in this package. The suggested retail price is $99.” Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 90-Day Evaluation is available for download here.
