Microsoft's Unix

Before Microsoft started its Windows OS developement there was a UNIX os by Microsoft jointly owned by Microsoft and AT&T. This UNIX operating system was named as Microsoft Xenix, http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ This OS is now bought by SCO and called as SCO Unix. So the software gaint has its roots in the UNIX, before it ventured out with its own OS Windows. The Microsoft Xenix was the market leader during that time period

 

Google : Microsoft supports Linux via Novell

Whats crazy is..I rememebr those days B)Alsi I was working at IBM when Warp was launched..wow that was a great partenership between IBM and MS..LOL!!!And in true MS style ofc they stole most of the ideas and repackaged them...

Microsoft has always been controversial. However thier ability to always start late and yet still take over the market share is amazing. Thier ability to make programs that appeal to the general user is also good.

 

The history of MS is intersting

So the software gaint has its roots in the UNIX, before it ventured out with its own OS Windows.

I suppose that's true... to a certain extent

 

Even though Microsoft practically started out with Xenix, the following Operating System had nothing to do with Unix... in terms of functionality and structure, at least.

 

Xenix was released around 1979, less than one year after the foundation of Microsoft's first international office in Japan, then entitled "ASCII Microsoft" and now called "Microsoft Japan". In 1981, IBM awarded a contract to Microsoft to provide a version of the CP/M Operating System. So Microsoft used a CP/M clone, called QDOS, and then released their own version of the Operating System, the famous MS-DOS!

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Microsoft

So, actually, even though Microsoft may have its roots in Unix, Windows doesn't! But then again, it's quite arguable that every operating system has been influenced by Unix. DOS, Windows, Mac OS, Linux, you name it! In many cases, OS creators grafted portions of Unix code onto their OSes. I even heard - though I can't be sure - that the head programmer of Windows 2000 was a Unix veteran who employed every Unix trick he knew into Microsoft's new and promising OS (at the time). That would actually explain the gigantic increase in Windows 2000's stability and performance over its predecessors.

 

Thank you for reminding us of those days, livingston

 

Lol I just read about CP/M like the day before.I just don't like the eerm..outdated nature of Unix

Edited May 17, 2007 by SilverFox (see edit history)

If Windows was based on UNIX, that would solve so many hectic Windows problem that we now have today. Security would be so much easier to handle and so much stronger.xboxrulz

Hell, Apple had Apple Unix way before OSX came out. I know somefolks who were early on into the whole Hyperlinking idea that eventually became the Internet. They were all using Apple Unix machines back in the 1980's.

Wow LOL, never knew about all that, but I suppose it isn't surprising.Wasn't there rumours that old Billy G stole from Apple or some such?Hard to keep up with Microsoft's pre and current history, there is just too much lol.

If Windows was based on UNIX, that would solve so many problems

Let's remember that Windows was built with ease-of-use in mind (the reason behind its outstanding popularity among regular users). It's hard to compare that approach, to that of Unix creators. Same applies to both branches of OSs today - Windows will always gain most market share (as there is always more newbies than pros), until they drop the customer-friendly architecture, or a Unix derivative will employ similar compatibility and ease-of-use features. I'm looking forward to the moment when I will be able to launch newest 3D games in Linux, without any performance hits...

Wow LOL, never knew about all that, but I suppose it isn't surprising.

 

Wasn't there rumours that old Billy G stole from Apple or some such?

 

Hard to keep up with Microsoft's pre and current history, there is just too much lol.

It's not a rumour, but a fact. Also shown in the documentary Pirates of Silicon Valley

 

Let's remember that Windows was built with ease-of-use in mind (the reason behind its outstanding popularity among regular users). It's hard to compare that approach, to that of Unix creators. Same applies to both branches of OSs today - Windows will always gain most market share (as there is always more newbies than pros), until they drop the customer-friendly architecture, or a Unix derivative will employ similar compatibility and ease-of-use features. I'm looking forward to the moment when I will be able to launch newest 3D games in Linux, without any performance hits...

Macs are UNIX based and they are also simple or even more simple than Windows. You don't see that happening, having millions of users flocking to Apple immediately. However, Apple's computer shares are gaining traction since Windows Vista came out.

 

xboxrulz

However, Apple's computer shares are gaining traction since Windows Vista came out.

What makes you assume that? Even if it's rising, the Apple PC market (3% is it nowadays? 4%?) is still a trifle number.
If Microsoft were to base Windows on Unix I'd see more complains and shared cries from the Linux community, in selling something that is based on open-source. Isn't there some kind of GNU license prohibiting that as well?

Anyways, the products are and need to be different. Windows is a behemoth that is designed to make it easier (automatic processes) for the user, while Apple prefers a "fashion over function" limited, toned down in UI options. And yes there is a huge difference between ease of use being hidden in automatic processes, and only seeing fewer options. The automatic options where Linux shines (CPAN installs that get required prerequisites) isn't for the bulk of people, and exes take a similar approach.

Wasn't there rumours that old Billy G stole from Apple or some such?

And more recently, the other way. It looked otherwise because of Vista's slow release. Also be more careful with the use of stealing, it's only wise for companies to be inspired by their competitor to work away their own faults. You get better products in the end.

Macs are UNIX based and they are also simple or even more simple than Windows.

As I've mentioned, ease of use is one thing. Compatibility is another. No way an OS is becoming popular if it cannot run newest PC games. As for business use, I guess MAC OS X isn't more compatible than linux, and the latter one has the enormous advantage of being free...