14 DAY TRIAL // I will try to map out the evolution of Windows from when it was an operating environment to the Wow operating system that is Windows Vista. Microsoft has come a long way and the history of the ubiquitous Windows stretches from the 1980 to 2007. However, Windows 3.x was the first Microsoft product to combine a graphical user interface with a memory manager, signaling the beginning of the end for DOS. TCP/IP support was available starting with Windows for Workgroups 3.11. Windows 3.x was a breath of fresh air from DOS and it announced Windows 95.
Windows 95 is the version of the operating system that in Microsoft's opinion marks the start of the Windows history. A lot can be said about Windows 95, and this operating system was indeed a phenomenon and a revolution. And it is synonymous with the introduction of 32-bits, a technology that has successfully survived till today. The following statement has been taken out of the press release for Windows 95.
"Windows 95 has been much anticipated and much has been written about it. But fundamentally, it is about unlocking more of the potential of computing," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO at Microsoft. "We are moving into the next era of computing, which includes broader communications via e-mail and the online world, dazzling multimedia and games, and richer educational software." "Windows 95 helps open up this new world. It makes computing easier and more fun, and will empower people and businesses to do more with computers than has previously been possible."
Windows NT 4:0 marked another step forward and was without a doubt superior to Windows 95. However, only with Windows 98, more specifically Windows 98 Second Edition, did Microsoft deliver on the promises of Windows 95.
Then came Windows Me, and I don't have to tell you what disaster that was, simply because of its monumental proportions. But Windows 2000 simply wiped that clean. In a sense, Windows 2000 is the opposite of Windows Vista, as it delivered strong application support and healthy drivers.
Windows XP was a disaster up until Service Pack 2. In terms of security, XP was overwhelmed and behind the threat environment. And SP2 can be considered a separate operating system altogether. But to this day, consumer perception places it ahead of Windows Vista.
The Wow operating system was commercially launched on January 30, 2007, with the first service pack scheduled for the end of this year. Windows Vista is currently in a love-hate relationship; it has downsides, but it also delivers Wow apexes. However, for Vista it is still too early to draw a final conclusion.