Microsoft's Unix

	Microsoft's Unix
	Discussion by livingston with 11 Replies. Last Update: May 22, 2007, 9:43 am

livingston

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenix

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, [Proof: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost...als+in+alliance]

So even that OS had rivals and hatered as the current Windows face.

Still microsoft has some links with linux.

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Wed May 16, 2007 Reply New Discussion

Mark420

Whats crazy is..I rememebr those days

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...

Wed May 16, 2007 Reply New Discussion

SilverFox

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

Thu May 17, 2007 Reply New Discussion

Teem

QUOTE

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.

QUOTE

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: http://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

[note=WeaponX]Put your copied information in text. The words may be reworded around but we still catch them...warning issued[/note]

Thu May 17, 2007 Reply New Discussion

SilverFox

Lol I just read about CP/M like the day before.

I just don't like the eerm..outdated nature of Unix

Thu May 17, 2007 Reply New Discussion

xboxrulz

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

Thu May 17, 2007 Reply New Discussion

unimatrix

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.

Mon May 21, 2007 Reply New Discussion

Chesso

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.

Mon May 21, 2007 Reply New Discussion

xerxes

QUOTE (xboxrulz)

If Windows was based on UNIX, that would solve so many problems
Link: view Post: 103621

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...

Mon May 21, 2007 Reply New Discussion

xboxrulz

QUOTE (Chesso)

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

QUOTE (xerxes)

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

Mon May 21, 2007 Reply New Discussion

Alegis

QUOTE

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.

QUOTE

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.

Tue May 22, 2007 Reply New Discussion

xerxes

QUOTE (xboxrulz)

Macs are UNIX based and they are also simple or even more simple than Windows.
Link: view Post: 103797

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...

Tue May 22, 2007 Reply New Discussion