NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
It wouldn't be fair to talk about the Windows Operating System without first looking at the origins of the company that developed it. William H. Gates III and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975. They were both only 19 years old. In 1980 International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) chose Microsoft to write the operating system for the IBM PC personal computer, to be introduced the following year. As part of its contract with IBM, Microsoft was permitted to license the operating system to other companies.
By 1984 Microsoft had licensed MS-DOS to 200 personal computer manufacturers, making MS-DOS the standard operating system for personal computers. In 1985 Microsoft released Windows, an operating system that extended the features of MS-DOS and employed a graphical user interface. In 1990 Microsoft became the first personal-computer software company to record $ 1 billion in annual sales. As Microsoft's dominance grew in the market for personal-computer operating systems, the company was accused of monopolistic business practices. Windows is a personal computer operating system sold by Microsoft Corporation that allows users to enter commands with a point-and-click device, such as a mouse, instead of a keyboard. Windows provides users with a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows them to manipulate small pictures, called icons, on the computer screen to issue commands.
Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world. Windows 1. 0 was released on November 20, 1985. Version 1. 0 enabled users to work with several programs at the same time, switching easily between them without having to quit and restart individual applications. But windows on Windows 1. 0 were tiled, or presented next to each other rather than overlapping, crippling usability. Not enough software was written for Windows 1. 0, and it failed to take hold in the marketplace.
Windows version 2. 0, introduced in 1987, was designed to resemble IBM's OS/ 2 Presentation Manager, another GUI operating system. Windows version 2. 0 used a system of overlapping windows rather than the tiled windows scheme of the previous version. 2. 0 could also utilize protected mode on 80286 systems or better, allowing programs to break out of the DOS 640 K program size barrier. In June 1988, when Version 2. 1 was released, it was renamed windows 286. Windows version 3. 0 was released on May 22, 1990, and had significant usability improvements. The Program Manager and the icon setup worked much better than the old Windows versions. Developer enhancements on this version kick-started the Windows software boom.
Stability was less than ideal, but version 3. 0 and subsequent versions 3. 1 and 3. 11 rapidly made Windows the market leader in operating systems for personal computers. Part of the reason for this was because it came prepackaged on new personal computers. It also became the favored platform for software development. On May 24, 1993, Microsoft introduced Windows NT, which stands for New Technology.
Though it is more commonly referred to as Not Today, No Thanks, and Nice Try. The Windows NT operating system offers 32 -bit multitasking, which gives a computer the ability to run several programs simultaneously, or in parallel, at high speed. This operating system competes with IBM's OS/ 2 as a platform for the intensive, high-end, networked computing environments found in many businesses. NT was geared toward the power user and the server market from the start. The first version, 3. 1, required a high-end PC to run and was a bit rough around the edges. But Windows NT was well received by developers because of its security, stability, and richer Win 32 API, which made it easier to write powerful programs.
After numerous delays and unprecedented prelaunch hype for a software product, on August 24, 1995, Windows 95 was released. In the frenzy some people lined up to buy it, even though they didn't own a computer. The first Windows version that didn't require the user to install DOS first, Win 95 was the user-friendliest Windows yet and helped start the mainstreaming of PCs. Windows 95 had a sleeker and simpler GUI than previous versions. It also offered 32 -bit processing, efficient multitasking, and Internet access. Windows 95 also added an integrated TCP/IP stack, Dial-Up Networking, and long filename support.
In 1996 Microsoft debuted Windows CE, a scaled-down version of the Microsoft Windows platform designed for use with handheld personal computers. June 25, 1998, Microsoft launched Windows 98, the last major version of Windows based on the old kernel running on top of DOS. Windows 98 integrated Internet Explorer 4 and supported numerous new device types, from USB to ACPI power management. Windows 98 improved greatly upon Windows 95.
Windows 2000 was released at the end of 1999; it combined Windows NT technology with the Windows 98 graphical user interface. In 1990 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began investigating Microsoft for alleged anticompetitive practices, but was unable to reach a decision and dropped the case. The United States Department of Justice continued to probe. In 1994 Microsoft and the Justice Department reached an agreement that called for Microsoft to change the way its operating system software was sold and licensed to computer manufacturers. In late 1997 the Justice Department accused Microsoft of violating its 1994 agreement by requiring computer manufacturers that installed Windows 95 to also include Internet Explorer, Microsoft's software for browsing the Internet. The government claimed that Microsoft was illegally taking advantage of its power in the market for computer operating systems to gain control of the market for Internet browsers.
In response, Microsoft argued that it should have the right to enhance the functionality of Windows by integrating Internet-related features into the operating system. Microsoft temporarily settled with the Justice Department in its antitrust case in early 1998 by agreeing to allow personal computer manufacturers to offer a version of Windows 95 that did not include access to Internet Explorer. However, in May 1998 the Justice Department and 20 states filed broad antitrust suits charging Microsoft with engaging in anticompetitive conduct. The suits sought to force Microsoft to offer Windows without Internet Explorer, or to include Netscape Navigator, a competing browser made by Netscape Communications Corporation.
The suits also challenged some of the company's contracts and pricing strategies. The federal antitrust trial against Microsoft began in October 1998. Executives from Netscape, Sun, and several other computer software and hardware companies testified regarding their business deals with Microsoft. In November 1999, the federal district court judge hearing the case issued his findings of fact, in which he declared that Microsoft had a monopoly in the operating system market. In April 2000 the judge ruled that the company had violated antitrust laws by engaging in tactics that discouraged competition. Microsoft announced it would appeal the judge's decision.
On January 29, 2001 Microsoft asked the appeals court to send the case back to the district court and replace U. S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson. The arguments are scheduled to be heard before the Court of Appeals in Washington D.
C. on February 26 and 27. Microsoft has cited many instances of Judge Jackson belittling the company. He has made it all to clear how he feels about the company and its employees. Microsoft believes that the judges' decision to force the split up of the company was biased on his animosity toward them. In my opinion I think the Justice Department is wrong in their attacks on Microsoft.
There are other companies out there who make operating systems; their systems just aren't as good. It is certainly no fault of Microsoft's that Windows happens to be a better product. As far as packaging Internet Explorer with Windows, I think the company has a right to try to market their product as much as possible. Anyone who buys Windows certainly also has a right to buy Netscape Navigator. They can always delete Explorer off their computer, it's not that difficult. I like to look at it like buying lunch.
I think Burger King has the best burgers, McDonalds has the best fries, and Taco Bell has the best soda. That doesn't stop those companies from packaging their products together. If I so chose to I could go to all three places to buy everything I needed to eat individually. It is much more convenient for me to just buy my whole meal at one place, but that is my choice.
Bibliography: Gates, Bill, The Road Ahead, Viking Penguin, New York, NY, 1995 "Gates, Bill, " web James V. Grimaldi, "Microsoft Asks for New Judge, " Washington Post, January 30, 2001, web "History Series (2) History of Microsoft Windows, " The Provider, August 27, 1999, web "Microsoft Conclusions of Law and Final Order, " Civil Action No. 98 - 1232 (TPJ), web "Microsoft Corporation, " Encarta Encyclopedia, web "Microsoft filing attacks judge, " Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 30, 2001, web "Windows, " Encarta Encyclopedia, web
Free research essays on topics related to: graphical user interface, justice department, netscape navigator, ms dos, operating system
Research essay sample on Graphical User Interface Netscape Navigator
