Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Happy Birthday, Windows!



Interface Manager is the code name and is considered as the final name, but Windows prevails because it best describes the boxes or computing “windows” that are fundamental to the new system. Windows is announced in 1983, but it takes a while to develop. Skeptics called it “vaporware.”
The fully-packaged Windows 1.0

On November 20, 1985, two years after the initial announcement, Microsoft ships Windows 1.0. Now, rather than typing MS‑DOS commands, you just move a mouse to point and click your way through screens, or “windows.” Bill Gates says, “It is unique software designed for the serious PC user…” 


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Happy Birthday, Access!



Microsoft released Access version 1.0 on 13 November 1992. Access 1.1 was released in May 1993 to improve compatibility with other Microsoft products and to include the Access Basic programming language.
I started using Access with version 2.0. It is a tough program to use as it borders between end-user and programmer. Both users can use it at different levels, which makes it great.
I giggle every time I have a question that I know Access can do, but I don't know how to make it work. I ask a programmer friend of mine, and the first thing they have me do is switch to SQL view to work. I say, "that's great, but how can I use the GUI instead?" Their response is, "I don't know." Two users, two very different experiences with the same product.