The first version of Windows came out in November 1985 and had not gathered enough interest for users and developers alike but set the foundation for GUI, drivers, and multitasking for the future of Windows. It would then culminate in a successful release of Windows 3.0 that saw widespread use and critical acclaim.
As I mentioned in my previous post, Microsoft began works on Windows back in September 1981, when computer scientist Chase Bishop outlined the design principles of what he named "Interface Manager". Two years later, Bill Gates announced that Microsoft would be heavily involved in making a GUI for the venerable MS-DOS named "Windows" based on works by Bishop. Gates's interest in that trend was fueled by the desire to get into a niche market of premium operating systems which adapted graphical user interfaces instead of arcane obscure command lines that graced DOS-based OSes.
The marketers at Microsoft found the name "Windows" appealing and friendly. Its first incarnation was released in November 1985.
Another factor that pushed Redmond to make a GUI was the advent of a new companion to the keyboard. That companion is a mouse, a little pointing device that allowed the user to manipulate objects on the screen by moving and clicking on any item or object on the screen. While Virtual Reality is in vogue nowadays, the mice back then were all in rage, and the media and dedicated press regarded it as the hottest add-on for the Personal Computer.
As opposed to Macintosh, Windows 1.0 was not considered a standalone product, but rather an add-on to the MS-DOS, a layer that would sit on the top of the operating system. For many engineers who worked on the project, Windows was seen as a death path. But long before David Cutler or Jim Allchin came on board, Bill Gates had its top lieutenants on the Windows project that was seen by many within the company as an embarrassment. The Windows 1.0's chief was Tandy Trower, who had faith in the project.
But yet, when it was released, Windows 1.0 impressed no one.
Windows 1.01 sported a primitive graphical environment. It included a simple program launcher and file manager called MS-DOS Executive. Windows 1.0 also included several basic applications, including Calendar, Clock, Clipboard, Cardfile, Terminal, Notepad, Write, and Paint. Notepad was suitably Spartan in function, and Paint only supported monochrome graphics. The software also ran MS-DOS programs within a window, but few single-task DOS applications behaved properly in this new multitask environment.
However, it should be noted that this early incarnation of Windows, didn’t offer overlapping application windows as in Apple, though individual Windows applications could display their own overlapping sub-windows for dialog boxes and the like. But the system-wide clipboard was seen as a huge step forward by which the system could share data between open applications.
In summary, Windows 1.0 was a mess and stood very little chance in the niche market dominated by Big Blue, and Apple. Even Steve Ballmer admitted that Microsoft would be "wrestling with a bear" when it came to competing with IBM. But Microsoft saw Windows 1.0 as a pilot project that would lay the groundwork for future improvements on the concept. Also, some of its innovative features will be ported later, like the taskbar debuting in Windows 95.
Rome was not built in a day and neither was Windows.
Sofiane M. MEROUANI
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