licensing agreement Archives

Winsage

March 31, 2025

10 Facts you probably didn’t know about Windows as Microsoft turns 50

- Windows was originally named "Interface Manager" before being changed to "Windows" prior to its launch in 1985. - Early versions of Windows (1.0, 2.0, and 3.x) operated on top of MS-DOS and required users to boot into MS-DOS before launching the graphical interface. - The Briefcase folder was an early tool for synchronizing files between computers, which became obsolete with the rise of cloud storage solutions. - Prior to Windows XP, user profiles were basic and lacked robust security; full user accounts were implemented with Windows NT. - Several applications from Windows 1.0, including Calculator, Paint, Notepad, Clock, and Control Panel, are still present in Windows 11 in modernized forms. - The "Format" dialog in File Explorer has used the same code for over 30 years, although updates for FAT32 support are being developed. - TrueType fonts were introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992 through a licensing agreement with Apple, improving font rendering quality. - The "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" shortcut was created by IBM engineer David Bradley as a debugging tool and later adopted by Microsoft for secure attention sequences in Windows NT. - Windows 1.0 required a minimum of 256KB of RAM at its launch in 1985, while Windows 11 requires at least 4GB.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

Valve releases Team Fortress 2 source code

Valve has released the complete client and server code for Team Fortress 2 (TF2) as part of its Source engine Software Development Kit (SDK), allowing developers to create game modifications. The SDK enables fans to "change, extend or rewrite" the TF2 experience, but all modifications must be non-commercial and offered free of charge. TF2 mods can be published on the Steam Store as new games. Valve emphasizes the importance of respecting community contributions and encourages mod creators to integrate community-driven content with the new modifications while honoring the work of Workshop contributors.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

IllFonic is making job cuts

IllFonic, the studio behind Friday the 13th: The Game and Predator: Hunting Grounds, announced staff reductions due to challenges in the gaming industry. CEO Charles Brungardt attributed the decision to broader industry conditions and the struggles of their latest release, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, which has not maintained a strong player base. He expressed regret over the cuts and encouraged industry connections for displaced team members.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

Arm and Qualcomm are fighting–what does that mean for Windows on Arm?

Qualcomm is currently engaged in a legal battle with Arm, which has issued a 60-day ultimatum threatening to revoke Qualcomm's license to its technology before a court date in December. This conflict stems from Arm's lawsuit initiated in 2022 over Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia and involves financial disagreements over licensing fees. Qualcomm generates approximately billion annually from using Arm's technology, and its potential loss of access could disrupt various manufacturers reliant on its chips, including major players like Microsoft and Android manufacturers. Arm accounted for about 10% of its total revenue from Qualcomm last fiscal year, indicating a mutual dependence between the two companies. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the broader technology sector.