Microsoft BOB (1995)

File:Diana - Microsoft Bob.png

Diana using Microsoft BOB.

People struggled to use Windows 3.11 so Microsoft invented Microsoft BOB. It uses a virtual home and some virtual items to make using a computer easier for new users.

Program Info

Microsoft Bob was released on March 10, 1995, as a graphical-user-interface. It was designed mainly for people who are struggling to use Windows 3.1. The program was discontinued by Microsoft for a few months because animated characters ask users a lot of questions, and ask them to confirm. Even though Microsoft Bob was meant to be more user-friendly for Windows users, it never became a successful product.

Therefore Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, as an operating system that includes desktop icons, the taskbar, the start menu, and Windows Explorer where users can navigate and launch programs. Microsoft Agent replaced Microsoft Bob, as an animated technology for Microsoft Windows. It was also discontinued in 2009 when Windows 7 came out.

Microsoft Bob program was bundled with some Gateway 2000 computers in the 90s. This version was modified to contain more features and additional rooms. The last build was version 1.00, only released after the initial release of Bob.

Tasks

• What time is it?

• Write and save a text document

• What's 48*32

• Customise the way your computer looks

• Turn off your computer

Diana's Review:

At the beginning of Mum tries out Microsoft Bob video, Diana liked Microsoft Bob but soon got very annoyed when she attempted to write a letter and Rover the dog kept asking her lots of questions when she attempted the task. Diana ranked Microsoft Bob as the second worst operating system in the Top 3 Worst and Best Operating System User Interfaces video (even though Microsoft Bob was made as a GUI and not an actual operating system). At the end of the video, Diana said that she could see Microsoft Bob's merits but also said she thought it was more a novelty for children than for professional use, initially Diana thought that Rover the dog's question's and tips were helpful in working things out, however, it eventually became an annoyance as it made achieving tasks much slower.