late 1990s Archives

Winsage

April 5, 2025

As Microsoft Turns 50, Bill Gates Gives A Rewind Of His Early Days

Bill Gates shared rare throwback photographs on Instagram to commemorate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, reflecting on his early days with the company. Gates humorously described the images as part of his "awkward photo shoots" era and expressed gratitude towards Microsoft. He co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen after dropping out of Harvard. Gates led the company through significant developments, including the creation of the MS-DOS operating system and Windows. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left Microsoft's board in 2020. Microsoft has become one of the leading tech giants, celebrating its history and future aspirations on its website.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Need a Windows 10 alternative? Still miss XP? This Linux distro is for you

Since the late 1990s, the journey through Linux and open-source technology has aimed to simplify the operating system for newcomers, especially those transitioning from Windows. The Q40S distribution, also known as XPQ4, offers rethemed versions that mimic Windows 10 or Windows XP. Q40S is based on Debian, and XPQ4 provides the Windows-like appearance. FreeXP resembles Windows XP, while Free10 mirrors Windows 10. The FreeXP version includes the Bliss Wallpaper and a familiar Start button, while Free10 aligns more closely with Windows 10. The installation of Free10 is straightforward, and it features a quality interface that captures the essence of Windows 10. The Q40S Welcome Screen offers access to various tools, including the Desktop Profile tool for alternative desktop environments. Free10 presents a standard KDE Plasma menu with a Windows 10-like twist. Users can customize the bottom panel and themes, but changing the theme may detract from the Windows 10 experience. Application installation differs from Windows, requiring Wine for .exe files, while KDE Discover provides a user-friendly interface for installing applications. Free10 does not have Flatpak support enabled by default, but it can be added. Free10 is suitable for those transitioning from Windows 10 to a cost-free operating system with ongoing support and security. It can be downloaded and installed on multiple computers, making it a reliable alternative to traditional operating systems.

Winsage

February 10, 2025

Bill Gates says he’d “hide from the press” if former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer traded “the new and hot OS” for Windows 10

Mark Cuban humorously compared the hypothetical trading of Mavericks player Luka Dončić to Microsoft trading Windows 11 for Windows 10 during a conversation with Bill Gates. Gates reflected on his journey with Microsoft, admitting he didn't recognize the company's success until the late 1990s. As Microsoft plans to phase out Windows 10 by October 14, 2025, it still holds a 60.33% market share compared to Windows 11's 36.65%. Many users prefer Windows 10 due to factors such as the current state of the PC market, strict system requirements for Windows 11, and reported design flaws in Windows 11. A public interest research group has filed a petition against ending support for Windows 10, citing that over 40% of users still rely on it. Microsoft remains committed to its timeline, but users can extend support for Windows 10 through the Extended Security Updates program for an additional year.

Tech Optimizer

December 19, 2024

McAfee vs Norton: Which Antivirus Software Is Best?

The rivalry between Norton and McAfee has influenced the antivirus market for decades. Norton Antivirus Plus has a rating of 4.8 out of 5, while McAfee Total Protection has a rating of 4.7 out of 5. Norton offers excellent AV and malware protection, scanning speed, and very good false positive management, while McAfee excels in false positive reduction and includes features like a VPN, firewall, and identity monitoring. Norton typically retails for a certain price per year for five devices but is currently available at a discounted rate, along with a seven-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee. McAfee Total Protection lists at a higher price but is often discounted, with a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Norton includes 2 GB of cloud backup and a password manager, while McAfee offers various tiers with additional features like AI-powered tools and enhanced identity theft protection. Users should choose Norton for cost-effectiveness and included cloud backup, while McAfee is preferable for lower system resource usage and fewer false positives. Both products are sufficient on their own, and installing both may cause conflicts.

AppWizard

October 7, 2024

Iconic Dungeons & Dragons RPG Planescape: Torment was a ‘B-Team’ project that started life as 3 different games⁠—including a 3D dungeon crawler

Robert Zak's retrospective in PC Gamer explores the history of Planescape: Torment, detailing its development by a small team at Interplay during the late 1990s. Feargus Urquhart, then leading Interplay's RPG division, recalls the chaotic atmosphere of 1996-1997, when multiple Planescape projects were underway. Lead artist Tim Donley and other team members were initially unfamiliar with the Planescape setting. Lead designer Chris Avellone's enigmatic presence added intrigue, while team members like Eric Campanella and Dennis Presnell contributed through hands-on experimentation. An early demonstration at BioWare impressed CEO Ray Muzyka, highlighting the game's groundbreaking quality. The full retrospective will be available in issue 390 of PC Gamer.

Winsage

October 6, 2024

I might switch to macOS permanently if these 7 things aren’t fixed about Windows

Approximately 72% of personal computers were running some version of Windows as of February 2024. Microsoft has introduced intrusive advertising in Windows, including ads on the Start menu and prompts to upgrade to Windows 11. The Start menu's search functionality often prioritizes web results over local files, complicating the search process. Windows adds new icons to the taskbar without user consent, cluttering the workspace. Microsoft has offloaded support documents online, which can be inconvenient for users with unreliable internet access. Users are frequently pushed to use Microsoft services like Bing and Edge, overriding their preferences. The integration of OneDrive for backing up desktop contents can lead to broken shortcuts and a disjointed experience across devices. Microsoft has retired applications like Paint 3D and WordPad, disrupting the workflows of users who relied on these tools.

AppWizard

September 8, 2024

How Jack Black became the world’s highest-paid children’s entertainer

Fans of Minecraft reacted with mixed emotions to the first trailer for the upcoming movie adaptation, drawing comparisons to the successful Super Mario Bros. Movie. The 80-second teaser, featuring live-action and CGI, received skepticism due to uninspired dialogue and Jason Momoa's appearance. Jack Black's portrayal of Steve was criticized for lacking energy and charisma. Despite past box office successes, including Kung Fu Panda 4 and the Jumanji reboots, Black's recent role in Borderlands was poorly received. Additionally, he faced backlash from the dissolution of his band Tenacious D. Black's career has seen a decline from his earlier chaotic charm to more family-friendly roles, raising concerns about his commitment to acting. The Minecraft Movie is scheduled for release in April 2025.

AppWizard

August 27, 2024

Top 10 Messaging App Alternatives to Telegram

Instant messaging systems gained widespread adoption in the mid-to-late 1990s, evolving from basic platforms like AIM and ICQ to advanced applications such as WhatsApp. WhatsApp has a large user base and complies with regulatory standards, but some users have concerns about its privacy practices despite claims of end-to-end encryption. This has led to the popularity of alternatives like Telegram, which offers a “secret chat” feature with end-to-end encryption but faces scrutiny due to recent developments involving the European Union and its founder's arrest. Users have diverse needs in messaging apps, ranging from simple functionality to advanced features like large file sharing and group communications. The top ten alternatives to Telegram and WhatsApp include: 1. Signal: Launched in 2015, it has 40 million users by 2022, focusing on privacy with instant messaging, voice/video calls, and group chats limited to five participants. 2. Viber: Facilitates community engagement with groups of up to 1,000 members, offers end-to-end encryption, and allows calls to landlines and mobile numbers. 3. Google Chat: Launched in 2017, it supports one-on-one and group chats, requires invitations to connect, and integrates with Google services. 4. Slack: Popular for organizational communication since 2009, it supports various content types and requires integration for certain features. 5. Twitch: Primarily a live-streaming platform, it includes a chat feature ideal for building a following, especially in gaming. 6. Snapchat: Evolved from a photo-sharing app to a messaging platform known for disappearing messages, targeting a younger audience. 7. Microsoft Teams: A corporate communication tool supporting individual/group chats, integrating with Microsoft Office, and gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. 8. Mighty Pro: Allows users to create their own community-building apps, featuring live streaming and discussion forums. 9. Discord: Designed for gamers, it serves as both a forum and live-streaming platform, focusing on social interactions rather than business. 10. Geneva: Facilitates group video chats with customizable chat rooms and basic scheduling features.

AppWizard

June 29, 2024

As ICQ logs off for good, a look back at popular instant messaging apps over the years

ICQ, a popular online messaging platform in the late 1990s and early 2000s, shut down its services after nearly three decades. It was launched in 1996 and at its peak in 2001, had over 100 million registered users.