Intro to Computers

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Windows To The Future
Microsoft Has Even Bigger Plans For The Operating System That Dominates The Market


Not that long ago, there was a time before Windows, but is there such a thing as after Windows? Curious about the future of Windows, we set out to see where this operating system is heading. Windows already has a prominent place in the life of anyone reading this magazine, but in Microsoft�s vision, your relationship with Windows is just beginning.

Microsoft�s Windows agenda extends well beyond desktop PCs, and even PCs in general. The company hopes to make Windows nothing less than the interface for almost every electronic device you use. Future Windows will be a dynamic interface that controls your home�s temperature, screens your phone calls, and finds your lost keys. Computer-operated homes are still about a decade away from full functionality, but they�re moving from science fiction to suburbia.



 On The Desktop



Many users have already tried out the next member of the desktop Windows family. The beta 2 release (or second test release) of Windows 2000 provided its 250,000 testers a glimpse of a future filled with nifty new features. Windows 2000 Professional (Win2K) is the new name of the Windows formerly known as NT 5.0. This new version supports Plug-and-Play technology, enhanced security, remote access, multiple monitors, and offline access to network resources. Many of the new features are meant to simplify network administrators� jobs while adding more functionality, stability, and power. One of the greatest design features of Win2K (and earlier NT versions) is the environment�s robustness, or stability. In past Windows, a crashing application took the entire system down. NT and Windows 2000 isolate and withstand application crashes. Craig Beilinson, product manager for Win2K, says Microsoft is working to make Win2K completely crash-proof.

Beilinson says Win2K Professional should be available in the second half of 1999, but Microsoft intends to ship the beta 3 version of Win2K in the first quarter of �99. Although Win2K isn�t specifically for home use, high-end users will probably use it there. Toward that end, Beilinson confirms rumors of a limited merging of the consumer (Win98) and professional line (Win2K) of Windows. Since Win2K offers the best security, the most reliability, and the greatest stability, its kernel (core programming) will serve as the core of future Windows.

Future consumer versions of Windows will be named for the years of their release. For instance, Beilinson says, a new consumer Windows released in six years will likely be named Windows 2005, and the versions formerly known as NT will be designated Windows 2005 Professional.



 Windows Is Ready



The next step for Windows is part of a larger step in computing. Market watchers often divide computing history into three generations: mainframe computing, the age of the PC, and ubiquitous computing. The first generation is characterized by massive, enormously expensive mainframes that took up entire rooms. Users were many, while the computer was one. The second generation was characterized by one person and one computer. PCs made computing an individual activity, and customization let users personalize their stationary desktop PCs to meet their needs. We�re now entering the third wave, ubiquitous computing that�s personal, portable, and pervasive.

Smaller devices that react to our speech and sight in addition to our touch will be part of our daily routine. Computing will no longer be a sedentary, solely work-related experience. PCs will flip on lights, adjust the thermostat, turn on the CD player, and turn off the crock pot as we pull into the driveway. Microsoft wants Windows to be the operating system behind these versatile devices.

A recent research paper published by Microsoft Research, �The New Easy-Living Project at Microsoft Research,� explains visions and goals for the future of everyday computing. One goal is to make interacting with computers far more natural and convenient for tasks we do all day, every day as opposed to those performed sitting at a workstation or desk. The paper cited practical applications such as routing incoming telephone calls to a room the computer �knows� is occupied or letting occupants place calls from any room in the house, just by voicing the intention to do so. The EasyLiving concept envisions an intelligent environment that casually interacts with people. The paper details three characteristics Microsoft researchers are working on to turn the vision into reality. First, a system must be �self-aware.� EasyLiving must know its own capabilities to respond to occupants� movements and requests. This self-awareness lets EasyLiving identify people and evaluate what resources are available to fulfill the occupant�s request. For instance, the researchers write that video and audio monitoring of a room may help answer the question, �Where did I leave my keys?�

A second characteristic of the EasyLiving vision is to offer �casual access to computing.� Microsoft researchers want to provide such access without requiring users to sit down at a specific computer or wear a special device to achieve the desired results. The research paper gives the following example:



�Through cameras and microphones, the user will always be able to signal the computer. Since the computer will always keep track of the users and their contexts, the computer will always be able to signal the users in an appropriate way, and it will know how to avoid being obtrusive. For example, a user watching television could be notified [of messages] via a superimposed window on the screen, while a sleeping user might not be notified at all, unless the message is important.�



The third EasyLiving characteristic, Extensibility, means the EasyLiving system automatically adjusts to the addition of new hardware. After the physical placement of a monitor in the kitchen, for example, EasyLiving would automatically integrate it into the system, loading whatever software or drivers are necessary without being �told� what to do.

The EasyLiving vision obviously raises some troubling questions about privacy in such a monitored environment. The data collected by cameras or devices that screen calls and forward messages could pose a huge threat to a family�s privacy if accessed by anyone outside the house. The EasyLiving project includes research into encryption for security, but the research paper ultimately says users must realize there is a trade-off between convenience and privacy.

Since many of these ideas are in the conceptual and design stages, don�t plan on buying one of these homes in the next decade. Plans to demonstrate this newest technology are still a year or two out.



 CE Goes Prime Time



In the changing world of operating systems, where the lines between consumer and business operating systems are becoming fuzzier, Microsoft sees a clear role for Windows CE. CE is for more than just handheld PCs, although it�s been well-received in that arena. Microsoft sees Windows CE serving three areas: as PC companions, in the home, and as embedded devices.

A spokesperson from Waggener Edstrom, Microsoft�s public relations firm, says Windows CE was built from the ground up to facilitate a modular design that can accommodate the disparate needs of users. Manufacturers using CE in their products can select bits and pieces of the operating system to work with their device. A check scanner, for instance, would have no use for the code concerning tactile data entry by users. CE shares core programming with other versions of Windows, insuring that all versions can communicate and share data. Users will find a consistent Windows interface, whether they�re working on a desktop machine or other device.

CE has already succeeded as the operating system for handheld PCs, palm-size PCs, and the soon to be released Auto PC. Each of these systems is to be used alone and in conjunction with a desktop system. Auto PC, which should roll out nationwide in January 1999, will look like a car stereo mounted on a car�s dashboard. The voice-activated Auto PC contains an address book, a voice memo (to remind you to pick up the dry cleaning, for example), and a cell-phone cradle. It will turn on your CD player, change the stations on your stereo, and may have an optional navigational component that will provide maps and directions. Don�t worry about a repeat of HAL�s mutiny in �2001;� Auto PC will not be integrated in any way with your cars� functionality, so if the Auto PC goes down, the power steering and brakes won�t go with it.

Some home entertainment devices will soon use Windows CE. Sega has incorporated CE into its newest console game, DreamCast, which will arrive in U.S. markets sometime in 1999. TCI Cable is using CE in 5 million of its advanced digital television set-top boxes. Current set-top boxes use an analog system, but the digital design coupled with the CE operating system will allow more user control and interaction. There are plans to incorporate Windows CE into the next version of WebTV set-top Internet devices, which support �Net use on TV screens.



Windows CE works on handheld devices, but it looks a lot like the Windows running on your desktop PC.
Embedded systems, chips or processors inside of a larger machine or system, provide another growth area for CE. Because these devices offer no user interaction, it may be hard to imagine why they need an operating system. But by running Windows CE, devices using embedded systems can tap into the world of shared information. Two products using CE-driven embedded systems are a Unisys check scanner and some gas pumps. Fuel companies can almost instantly glean detailed information from CE-powered gas pumps. For instance, station managers can immediately see how much unleaded gas a given pump dispensed during the past 12 weeks without manually checking the counter on the pump at closing every day. Another quick report could tell them which pumps sold the most car wash upgrades. It may have taken an entire quarter to compile such reports in the past.

Future plans for CE are a bit shrouded, but the Waggener Edstrom spokesperson says we�ll be hearing far more from Windows CE because, �it�s the fingertips of the digital nervous system.�



 I Can See Clearly Now



One hazy spot on the horizon surrounds computers that recognize and respond to our eyes. Voice-recognition software has expanded our ability to interact with computers in non-tactile ways, and analysts predict that the next wave of computers will also �see.� The technological challenge is getting the computer to recognize and analyze what it has seen. Security cameras can record movement, but programming a computer to interpret the activity on a camera has proven difficult. Microsoft has an entire research division devoted solely to Vision Technology. A Waggener Edstrom spokesperson says once vision technology is mature enough to benefit the end user, future Windows applications will probably incorporate it. At the moment, it�s too early to speculate on the role.

Similarly, it�s too early to tell just how pervasive Windows will be in the age of ubiquitous computing, but if Microsoft�s research is any indication, plan to interact with Windows in ways you hadn�t imagined.  




A Brief History Of Windows


Windows has been around in one version or another since 1985, and it�s now the most widely used operating system in PC computing, running on 90% of the world�s PCs. It wasn�t always this popular. Prior to April 1992, the small population of PC users depended primarily upon MS-DOS to fulfill their computing needs. Microsoft revealed a peek at a graphical user interface (GUI, an environment where choices for commands, files, and options are represented by icons) in November 1983, but it wasn�t until Nov. 20, 1985, that PC users got a good look at Microsoft Windows 1.01.

The Year Was 1985 PC users who paid $99 for the first Windows enjoyed a PC interface full of pull-down menus, scroll bars, and icons. Mice crept into PC use, although it was still possible to work with a keyboard. Dialog boxes provided information and error messages right on the screen, and users could copy and paste text or graphics among programs using the Windows Clipboard. Windows 1.01�s biggest innovation was its ability to run several applications at once. Windows 1.01 wasn�t a true operating system. It was an operating environment that piggy-backed over DOS. Users still interacted frequently with DOS, especially for file management.

There was little software available for the new operating system, and PC prices were decidedly non-mainstream, with the snail-slow processor alone costing $3,000. Windows� arrival made no dent in DOS usage, but in early January 1986, Microsoft sold its first public stock at $21 per share, making Microsoft CEO Bill Gates the world�s youngest billionaire.

The Lean Years Windows 1.01 followed less than a year later on Aug. 29, 1986, at price of $99. Windows 1.03 included an enhanced Write program that supported ASCII and ANSI character sets, 25 foreign language keyboards, and device drivers for high-resolution printers and displays. Software manufacturers even noticed Windows, and applications such as Aldus PageMaker 1.0 were making PCs viable on the desktop publishing scene.

Where Were You In 1987 Windows 2.0 arrived April 2, 1987, with a $99 price tag ($95 for an upgrade) and a new, overlapping windows look as opposed to the tiled cascade of previous versions. Enhanced performance allowed more graphics use and expanded memory. PC users were getting a little more comfortable with mouse-driven operating systems; in June 1987, Microsoft sold mouse number 500,000.

In 1988, Microsoft introduced Windows 2.1 under the new name Windows 286 and 386. It allowed multitasking (a computer performing multiple tasks simultaneously) and larger program sizes than DOS maximum 640 kilobyte limitations.

The �90s Begin With A Bang Windows 3.0 arrived in May 1990 ($149.95, $50 for upgrade), and by July, Microsoft was the first U.S. software company to pass the $1 billion mark for sales revenue in a year.

Software developers lost no time churning out compatible applications for the popular new Windows, which sold more than 3 million copies in its first year. Hardware vendors helped the market boom by preloading Windows 3.0 on PCs. The operating environment appealed to users because it was now more colorful and attractive than ever, but more importantly, it was easy to install and easy to learn. The electronic version of Solitaire debuted in Windows 3.0 as did Recorder, which lets users record and play back simple keystrokes and mouse movements. Users especially liked accessing files, tools, and resources in Windows without the complication of exiting to a DOS prompt. Windows 3.0 still ran on top of DOS, but users didn�t have to access DOS nearly as often since File Manager, Program Manager, and Control Panel were all available as icon-driven in Windows.

It Was A Very Good Year In January 1992, Microsoft�s stock hit $113 per share, making Gates America�s richest man. The year got better from there. Windows 3.1 rocked the computer industry with its April debut by selling more than 1 million retail copies in less than two months. Windows 3.1 ($149.95, $79.95 for upgrade) fixed many of 3.0�s bugs and proved to be far more stable. Among the many highly touted new features, Windows 3.1 added scaleable fonts, which let users enlarge or reduce fonts without altering their appearance in any other way. Windows 3.1 still rode on the back of DOS, but user contact with DOS was at an absolute minimum and usually a matter of choice. The improved network support included a new network protocol and let users reconnect automatically to servers each time they logged onto their systems. Many other distinctive features made Windows 3.1 the most-installed operating system on U.S. PCs for the next five years.

Windows for Workgroups 3.1 shipped in October 1992 and sold at retail outlets for $249.95 ($149.95 for upgrade). Microsoft Mail and Microsoft Schedule+ were new features on this system that combined networking (E-mail) and workgroup capabilities (file and printer sharing).

Going for the Gold In March 1993 Windows application sales passed DOS application sales for the first time. In July, Microsoft shipped Windows NT (New Technology) for $495 and in August, Microsoft reported earnings of $1 billion in one quarter, another first for a U.S. software company. With the release of NT, Microsoft sent a message that it was adding the networked business user to its target market.

NT combines the ease of personal computing with the power of workstation computing. Among the many new technical features, NT 3.1 offered multiprotocol networking (a set of rules and procedures for exchanging data between computers on a network), stability, increased security and failure protection, and remote management. NT also supports an array of development tools for businesses designing their own applications.

In November, Microsoft shipped a more stable Windows for Workgroups, version 3.11 ($149). This faster system offered greater configuration and administration capabilities for network administrators and was heartily welcomed in corporate America.

Windows� upgrades in 1994 were mostly repackaging efforts designed to stymie software pirates. The much-anticipated first beta version of Windows 95 (Win95) shipped in May, and 50,000 users ultimately tested Win95 before its release. Upgrades in NT 3.5 ($319, $99.95 for upgrade), which shipped in September, included expanded networking options, a faster file server, and a feature called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP saves network administrators time by automatically and continuously assigning the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses necessary for computers to connect to networks. Administrators often maintain and upgrade 200+ PCs so it would be difficult and time-consuming to keep track of and constantly reassign IP addresses to individual PCs. NT 3.5 was very stable but not yet well-received in the business community.

Anticipation Microsoft introduced Win95 ($209, $109 for upgrade) with incredible fanfare in August 1995. It was the first Windows operating system that didn�t have to run over DOS. Windows for Workgroups 3.11 had 32-bit file access, but Win95 was the first 32-bit consumer operating system from Microsoft.

This 32-bit operating system was much faster and allowed for greater user customization than previous Windows versions. Win95 has approximately 11 million lines of code, compared to approximately 3 million in Windows 3.1. In the first four days of its release, Win95 sold 1 million retail copies, at $209 for the full product and $109 for the upgrade. During the following two months, Win95 sold 7 million copies of the upgrade and full product licenses.

In early 1996, Microsoft shipped its 30 millionth copy of Win95. In late July, Windows NT 4.0 ($319, $149 for upgrade) arrived. With significant improvements, including a Win95-style interface, NT 4.0 started making some headway against the more popular Unix as the server platform of choice in American businesses. In September, Microsoft released Windows CE (Consumer Electronics), designed for handheld PCs, and by November, Compaq (PC Companion), NEC Computer Systems (MobilePro HPC), Hitachi Home Electronics (Hitachi Handheld PC), and Casio Computer (Cassiopeia) all introduced handheld PCs running Windows CE.

Microsoft released the beta version of Windows NT 5.0 in 1997. The expected release date has been pushed back a number of times with no firm commitment from Microsoft. In the last quarter of 1997, Microsoft quietly ceased selling retail copies of Windows 3.1�signaling the end of the 16-bit era.

In June 1998, Microsoft released Windows 98 (Win98, $209, $109 for upgrade). This latest consumer operating system integrates Internet Explorer throughout the operating system; supports Universal Serial Bus devices (USB, an external bus that is easily expandable supports more than 100 devices, and has a faster transfer rate than the serial and parallel ports it is expected to replace); has a feature for updating the operating system with online information, bug fixes, and any new upgrades from Microsoft; and dispenses with the need to shut down every time something is reconfigured or added to the system. Despite heavy criticism and antitrust lawsuits against Microsoft over their latest operating system, sales of Win98 have been brisk.




Windows Timeline


Nov. 20, 1985
Windows 1.03
Includes pull-down menus, scroll bars, icons, and mice.

April 1987
Windows 2.0
Dec. 3, 1987
Windows 386 (originally called Windows 2.1). Features support for multitasking

May 1990
Windows 3.0.
Sells more than 3 million copies in its first year.

April 1992
Windows 3.1.
Sells more than 1 million retail copies in under two months.

October 1992
Windows for Workgroups 3.1.
Combines networking and workgroup capabilities.

March 1993
Windows applications outsell DOS applications for the first time.

July 1993
Windows NT (New Technology).
Combines the ease of PC use with the power of workstations.

November 1993
Windows for Workgroups 3.11.

August 1995
Windows 95
Microsoft first 32-bit consumer operating system. Sells 1 million retail copies in 4 days and 7 million copies in the next two months.

July 1996
Windows NT 4.0

1997
Windows NT 5.0 beta version. Microsoft ceases sales of Windows 3.1

June 1998
Windows 98.
Integrates World Wide Web browser and includes a feature for automatically updating the operating system.

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