I saw an ad for this CD set at a very low price in a computer magazine. I decided to give it a try, enticed by the low cost and this 'alternative solution to Windows', and in late 1996 I ordered this set.
When it arrived, I was fascinated (having never used a Unix or Unix-like system before) but a bit daunted by the lack of support for the main applications I knew. A few months later, though, I decided to give it another go and from that point, I never looked back. Whether it was Linux, one of the BSDs, or something similar (but Unix or Unix-like), I was not going back to systems like Windows.
My #ThrowbackThursday today is probably one of the most significant in my computing life.
@CernBasher did write a thorough analysis that I recommend in your attention. I want to take a critical look at his predictions and discuss the nuanced realities of such a transformative technology.
👇🧵 https://x.com/CernBasher/status/1777709906461675595
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History reminds us: Paradigm shifts reshape society. The early 20th Century’s move from steam to oil and internal combustion engines was revolutionary. We're on the brink of another such shift with robotaxis.
I really do think there should be a wiki or similar thing for Blindness history, and not just about tech stuff. I have no idea how to run such a thing myself, and without proper maintenance and whatnot a project like that could go horribly wrong.
48 years ago on December 16, 1975, IMS Associates began shipping its IMSAI 8080 computer kits.
Originally shipped as kits for assembly by the user, the IMSAI 8080 gained popularity, and eventually, the company shifted to producing fully assembled units.
In total, between 17,000 and 20,000 units of the IMSAI 8080 were manufactured.
Subsequently, an additional 2,500 units were produced under the Fischer-Freitas name
29 years ago on December 15, 1994, the first version of Netscape Navigator released.
Inspired by the success of the Mosaic web browser, Netscape Navigator was developed by Netscape Communications. Netscape Navigator aimed to capitalise on the commercial potential of web browsers. Initially offered without charge for all non-commercial users, it quickly gained popularity.
In the mid-1990s Netscape Navigator became the standard web browser, until IE cane along…
30 years ago on December 10, 1993, Id Software released DOOM
DOOM achieved critical acclaim, selling millions of copies. It's often regarded as the "father" of first-person shooters.
DOOM's legacy extends through expansions like The Ultimate Doom and the continuation of the franchise with titles like Doom II, Doom 3, Doom (2016), and Doom Eternal
36 years ago on December 9, 1987, Microsoft introduced Windows 2.0.
Windows 2.0 had two variants - a base edition for 8086 real mode and Windows/386, an enhanced edition for i386 protected mode. It also introduced Microsoft Word and Excel as part of the operating environment to compete with other productivity tools.
Microsoft legal challenges from Apple, alleging copyright violations regarding the "look and feel" of the Macintosh operating system.
32 years ago on December 2, 1991, Apple released QuickTime.
QuickTime went beyond conventional video playback by supporting advanced media types like panoramic images (QuickTime VR) and Adobe Flash.
The discontinuation of QuickTime 7 in macOS Catalina marked a shift to QuickTime Player X, which abandoned the aging QuickTime framework in favour of the AVFoundation framework.
38 years ago on November 20, 1985, Microsoft released Windows 1.0.
Windows 1.0 provided a graphical user interface (GUI) for MS-DOS.
Windows 1.0 aimed to make computing more accessible with its mouse-driven interface, allowing users to navigate through various applications. Although not an immediate success, it laid the foundation for the future success of the Windows operating system.
27 years ago on November 16, 1996, Windows CE 1.0 was released.
Unveiled at COMDEX, Windows CE 1.0 was showcased by Bill Gates and John McGill.
The system's reference platform included specifications like SH3, MIPS 3000 or MIPS 4000 CPU, a minimum of 4 MB ROM, 2 MB RAM with backup power, a physical QWERTY keyboard, 480×240 pixel LCD display with touchscreen, infrared transceiver, serial port, PC Card slot, and more.
27 years ago on November 15, 1996, ICQ, an instant messaging (IM) and VoIP client, was released.
ICQ was among the first stand-alone IM applications, introducing a centralized service with individual user accounts, setting the blueprint for future services like AIM and influencing modern social media apps. At its peak in 2001, ICQ had over 100 million registered accounts. By 2010, it had around 42 million daily users.
52 years ago on November 15, 1971, Intel introduced the Intel 4004.
Originating in a 1969 project with Busicom Corp., Intel aimed to design chips for an electronic calculator. Marcian Hoff proposed a more efficient CPU architecture based on RAM, leading to the 4004's development. By March 1971, the first fully operational 4004 was delivered to Busicom.
80 years ago on November 14, 1943, Peter Norton was born.
In 1982, Norton founded Peter Norton Computing with $30,000, becoming a pioneer in IBM PC compatible utilities software.
Norton Utilities, introduced in 1982, included innovative tools like UNERASE, capable of retrieving erased data from MS-DOS and IBM PC DOS formatted disks. Norton's company rapidly grew, reaching $15 million in revenue by 1988. In 1990, Norton sold his company to Symantec for $70 million,
17 years ago on November 14, 2006, Microsoft released its Zune player.
The Zune's release aimed to provide an alternative to Apple's dominant position in the portable media player market.
Despite its unique features, the Zune faced challenges and couldn't match the success of the iPod. Microsoft eventually discontinued the Zune product line in 2012
19 years ago on November 9, 2004, Mozilla Firefox version 1.0 was released and began as an experimental branch of the Mozilla project.
The project underwent name changes from "Phoenix" to "Firebird. to "Mozilla Firefox".
Firefox 1.0's release introduced features like an integrated pop-up blocker, tabbed browsing, and an extension system, gaining attention as an alternative to Internet Explorer
📘 Quintino Lopes is one of the editors of the book "LACERDA 120. Proceedings of the Fifth International Workshop on the History of Speech Communication Research Porto, May 28–29, 2022", with Angelika Braun and Michael Ashby.
20 years ago on November 6, 2003, Fedora Linux, originating as "Fedora Core," began in 2003.
Originally referred to as "Fedora Core," Fedora Linux forked from Red Hat Linux in 2003. This move came as Red Hat Linux was phased out, enabling Red Hat to focus on its paid server version, Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Fedora Linux became a community distribution, while Red Hat Enterprise Linux continued as the official Red Hat-supported distribution.
I just wanna point out as much as I hate being corrected on stuff, if I make a mistake on my #TechHistory posts please don’t hesitate to tell me if the date or whatever is wrong
52 years ago on November 3, 1971, Unix saw its first edition released.
Initially a single-tasking system, the system was dubbed "Unics" "Uniplexed Information and Computing Service" or "eunuchs." Unix's influence grew as it made its way to other institutions, such as universities.
Continuous enhancements led to increased portability, with ports to various machines like the Interdata 8/32
35 years ago on October 29, 1988, Sega released the Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive in Japan), in Japan.
The Mega Drive faced tough competition in Japan from Nintendo's Super Famicom and NEC's PC Engine, but it found significant success in North America, Brazil, and Europe. Its triumph was attributed to a strong lineup of arcade game conversions, the popularity of Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series and well-received sports titles