personal computing Archives

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Bill Gates Has Published the Original Microsoft Source Code

Bill Gates shared the original source code that founded Microsoft on his Gates Notes blog to commemorate the company's 50th anniversary. This code was inspired by a January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics featuring the Altair 8800, which led Gates and Paul Allen to create a version of the BASIC programming language for it. After two months of coding, they successfully presented the software to MITS, leading to the birth of their company, initially named Micro-Soft. The legacy of this endeavor is now available for download. In related news, Melinda French Gates is releasing a book titled The Next Day on April 15, where she discusses her emotional struggles leading up to her divorce from Bill Gates, including his admission of infidelity and his associations with Jeffrey Epstein.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft just turned 50. Here’s a look at an iconic 1978 photo of its first employees and where they are now

A 1978 photograph of the early Microsoft team has resurfaced, featuring notable figures such as Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Andrea Lewis, and Marla Wood in the front row. The middle row includes Bob O’Rear, Bob Greenberg, Marc McDonald, and Gordon Letwin, while the back row consists of Steve Wood, Bob Wallace, and Jim Lane. This image highlights the collaborative spirit and diverse talents that contributed to Microsoft's early successes in the personal computing industry.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

How Bill Gates, the Altair 8800 and BASIC propelled me into the PC revolution

The Altair 8800, introduced by Ed Roberts in 1974, was a groundbreaking personal computer that allowed everyday individuals to own and interact with computers, marking the beginning of the personal computer era. Bill Gates and Paul Allen recognized its potential and created a BASIC interpreter to enable users to engage with their machines. An engineer, initially interested in nuclear reactors, built his own Altair 8800 by scavenging parts and hand-soldering, highlighting the significance of programming languages like BASIC in making computing accessible. Gates and Allen's work on BASIC simplified programming and contributed to the proliferation of personal computers. Gates later advised the engineer on the importance of cash flow for startups, guiding him in his transition to software development. BASIC served as a gateway for many into computing, influencing countless careers in the tech industry.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

‘We coded day and night for the two months to create the software we had said already existed’: The history of Microsoft reminds me how far we’ve come in just 50 years

Tomorrow, April 4, 2025, Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary. Bill Gates has released a downloadable PDF of the original source code that started the company, which was initially named 'Micro-Soft'. The original code was created for the Altair 8800 using a teleprinter. Gates and Paul Allen developed the Altair BASIC interpreter, their first product, which aimed to democratize computing. They worked for two months to create the software after promising MITS a product that did not yet exist. Their collaborative effort laid the foundation for significant technological advancements over the past five decades.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

How have 50 years of Microsoft been for you?

Microsoft is approaching its 50th anniversary, marked by significant milestones in personal computing and enterprise solutions. Key achievements include the introduction of Windows 3.0 and 3.1, while notable missteps include Microsoft Bob, Windows 8, the underperformance of Windows Mobile and Windows Phone, and the acquisition of Nokia. Microsoft's productivity suite remains strong despite competition from Google. The company gained popularity with its dialect of BASIC and has made strategic investments in cloud technology and artificial intelligence, including the acquisitions of GitHub and LinkedIn. However, it faced challenges with Internet Explorer losing ground to Google's Chrome and the failure of the Zune to compete with the iPod. Windows Vista is also noted as a less successful product.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Expanding Copilot+ PC experiences across AMD, Intel and Snapdragon powered devices

Last year, Copilot+ PCs were introduced as the fastest, most intelligent, and secure Windows PCs. They have since integrated new silicon, devices, and AI experiences to enhance user interaction and productivity. New accessibility features include Live Captions, which provide real-time translations in English for audio and video content during virtual meetings and media playback, now available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for Simplified Chinese and translations from over 40 languages. Voice Access has also been updated to improve navigation through voice commands. AI-enabled creativity features are now available on AMD and Intel devices, including Cocreator in Paint, which allows users to create designs using text prompts and freehand drawing, and new tools in Photos for transforming images and creating visuals based on prompts. Some features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, requiring the November 2024 update. Features may vary by device and region, with updates continuing through 2025. Users can check for updates in Windows Settings.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

PHOTOS: Synnex’s “Seizing the device refresh opportunity” event

The transition to Windows 11 is seen as an inevitable shift that channel partners must embrace, presenting substantial opportunities for those ready to adapt. Thomas Tapsas, Director of Channel Sales at Synnex, compared this transition to the Y2K phenomenon, noting that four times as many PCs will require replacement. Synnex aims to assist partners in navigating this transition, emphasizing the need to rethink technology strategies and enhance customer offerings. The collaboration with Microsoft is intended to empower partners to fully leverage Windows 11 and maintain competitiveness in the market.

Winsage

March 17, 2025

Today in Apple history: Microsoft gets sued for ripping off Mac OS

The development of the Macintosh in the early 1980s led to a correspondence between Bill Gates and John Sculley regarding the licensing of the Macintosh operating system. Sculley showed cautious interest in Gates' proposal, but it was dismissed by Jean-Louis Gassée on June 25, 1985. Gates then focused on creating a mass-market operating system, resulting in the debut of Windows on November 15, 1985. The introduction of Windows provoked a strong reaction from Sculley, despite Windows 1.0 being inferior to Mac OS. On November 21, 1985, Sculley and Gates formalized an agreement licensing Macintosh's visual displays to Microsoft, which included a non-exclusive license for Microsoft to use aspects of Mac technology. As Windows 2.0 was released, Apple filed a lawsuit against Microsoft on March 17, 1988, claiming appropriation of its innovations, but the court ruled in favor of Microsoft, stating that the existing license covered certain interface elements.

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

Your Android phone will run Debian Linux soon (like some Pixels already can)

Qualcomm claims that its Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU outperforms Intel's Core Ultra 288V chip. Google has introduced a native Linux Terminal application in its March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, available exclusively on the latest Pixel devices running Android 15. This Linux Terminal operates on a Debian Linux virtual machine and allows users to run desktop Linux applications directly from their devices. Users must enable Developer Mode to access the app, which requires downloading a 500MB Debian package. Graphical user interface applications are not yet supported, but enhancements in Android 16 are expected to improve compatibility with traditional PC input methods and display options. There is speculation about a potential merger between Android and Chrome OS, aiming for a seamless integration between smartphone and desktop experiences. The integration of Linux into Android devices may lead to large Android phones and tablets replacing traditional laptops for some users.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Windows AI Laptops For Under Rs 70,000 Are Here In India And This What You Get

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon X processor in India, which enables affordable AI laptops priced under Rs 70,000. Asus is the first brand to utilize this processor, which features eight cores and focuses on enhancing AI processes and battery life. The launch coincides with the end of support for Windows 10, prompting users to consider new laptops. The Snapdragon X processor aims to provide a reliable option for AI Windows PCs, with the Asus Vivobook 16 expected to compete in this market. There is optimism about Qualcomm's innovations improving performance and efficiency in the affordable Windows segment.