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Bucharest — May 9,2024 — Microsoft Bob,a software failure of the 90s,was secretly included on Windows XP installation discs,as revealed years later. Launched in 1995, Bob sought to create a user-friendly interface, but was discontinued quickly. This unpopular product’s data was encrypted adn placed on the XP disc to deter piracy, using or else wasted space. Read on for all the unexpected details.
Microsoft Bob, an aspiring attempt to create a user-kind interface for those unfamiliar with text-based computer commands, is often cited as one of Microsoft’s biggest failures. Launched in March 1995, it was discontinued less than a year later. However,its legacy took an unexpected turn: a complete,encrypted version of Bob was hidden on teh Windows XP installation disk released in October 2001. This secret remained largely unknown for years.
The interface of Microsoft bob, featuring a cartoonish room and interactive objects.
The Rise and Fall of Bob
Bob’s concept revolved around a virtual house where users interacted with objects to perform tasks. Clicking on a calendar opened a digital scheduler, for exmaple. A cartoon dog named Rover served as a guide. However, the interface was criticized for being overly simplistic and demanding notable hardware resources. Its $99 price tag further hindered its adoption,especially as Windows 95,with its groundbreaking graphical user interface,was just around the corner.
Reviews at the time highlighted issues with its cumbersome controls and unusual data storage methods. Even if these initial shortcomings could be overlooked, the steep hardware requirements proved to be a major obstacle. PC Data reported sales of approximately 58,000 copies, a stark contrast to the nearly three million copies of Windows 95 sold in its first month.
rover’s Second Life and the Birth of Comic Sans
Despite its commercial failure, Bob left a subtle mark on computing history. Rover, the canine assistant, reappeared in a more refined form as the search companion in Windows XP. This marked his last prominent appearance.Furthermore, the progress of Bob indirectly led to the creation of the Comic Sans font, as reminds
Melinda Gates. While Comic Sans was not included in Bob,it debuted in Windows 95 and went on to achieve widespread,albeit often controversial,popularity.
The most intriguing aspect of Bob’s story is its secret inclusion on the Windows XP installation disc.Raymond Chen, a Microsoft employee, revealed this detail in a 2008 article for TechNet Magazine. ironically, Bob proved more useful in its afterlife than during its active existence.
Rover, the mascot, assisting with search in Windows XP.
The encrypted Bob data served as a form of anti-piracy protection. The installation CD had approximately 30 MB of unused space, which Microsoft decided to fill with non-essential data. The installation program woudl verify the presence of this data to ensure the authenticity of the disc. This pragmatic approach utilized otherwise wasted space and potentially deterred piracy,as downloading even a few dozen megabytes was noticeable on slower internet connections at the time.
The Encryption Mystery
Chen explained that while Microsoft could have used random data, the individual responsible for the task chose to encrypt the contents of the original Bob floppy disks. The encryption keys, reportedly generated by randomly striking the keyboard, remain unknown, making decryption virtually impractical. This has led to some skepticism, with technology journalist Harry McCracken expressing doubts about the story’s veracity, noting the lack of concrete evidence.
the Developer Steps Forward
In November 2020, David Plummer, a former Microsoft developer who worked on Windows operating systems from 1993 to 2003, publicly claimed responsibility for adding Bob to the Windows XP installation CD. In a ten-minute video on his YouTube channel, Plummer discussed the history of Bob and its connection to Windows XP.
Plummer also revealed that he created the first activation mechanism for Windows XP.The Bob data was used to generate pseudo-random numbers for this activation process, with separate versions for OEM and retail copies of Windows. This meant that an OEM key could not activate a retail version, and vice versa.
With over 400 million Windows XP licenses sold in its first five years, the spirit of Bob lived on a massive scale for many years.
David Plummer Discusses Microsoft Bob:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Microsoft Bob considered a failure?
It was criticized for its simplistic interface, high hardware requirements, and high price, especially compared to the upcoming Windows 95.
The data from the original Bob floppy disks was encrypted and used to fill unused space on the CD, serving as a form of anti-piracy protection.
Who added Microsoft Bob to the Windows XP installation disc?
David Plummer, a former microsoft developer, publicly claimed responsibility.
What was the purpose of including Bob on the Windows XP disc?
It served as a form of anti-piracy protection by verifying the authenticity of the installation media.
