How MS-DOS Put Microsoft on the Map

How MS-DOS Put Microsoft on the Map On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its new revolution in a box, the Personal Computer complete with a brand new operating system from Microsoft, a 16-bit computer operating system called MS-DOS 1.0. What Is an Operating System? The operating system orOS is the foundation software of a computer and schedules tasks, allocates storage, and presents a default interface to the user between applications. The facilities an operating system provides and its general design exerts an extremely strong influence on the applications created for the computer. IBM and Microsoft's History In 1980, IBM first approached Bill Gates of Microsoft, to discuss the state of home computers and what Microsoft products could do for IBM. Gates gave IBM a few ideas on what would make a great home computer, among them to have Basic written into the ROM chip. Microsoft had already produced several versions of Basic for different computer system beginning with the Altair, so Gates was more than happy to write a version for IBM. Gary Kildall As for an operating system (OS) for an IBM computer, since Microsoft had never written an operating system before, Gates had suggested that IBM investigate an OS called CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers), written by Gary Kildall of Digital Research. Kindall had his Ph.D. in computers and had written the most successful operating system of the time, selling over 600,000 copies of CP/M, his operating system set the standard at that time. The Secret Birth of MS-DOS IBM tried to contact Gary Kildall for a meeting, executives met with Mrs. Kildall who refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement. IBM soon returned to Bill Gates and gave Microsoft the contract to write a new operating system, one that would eventually wipe Gary Kildalls CP/M out of common use. The Microsoft Disk Operating System or MS-DOS was based on Microsofts purchase of QDOS, the Quick and Dirty Operating System written by Tim Paterson of Seattle Computer Products, for their prototype Intel 8086 based computer. However, ironically QDOS was based (or copied from as some historians feel) on Gary Kildalls CP/M. Tim Paterson had bought a CP/M manual and used it as the basis to write his operating system in six weeks. QDOS was different enough from CP/M to be considered legally a different product. IBM had deep enough pockets, in any case, to probably have won an infringement case if they had needed to protect their product. Microsoft bought the rights to QDOS for $50,000, keeping the IBM Microsoft deal a secret from Tim Paterson and his company, Seattle Computer Products. Deal of the Century Bill Gates then talked IBM into letting Microsoft retain the rights, to market MS-DOS separate from the IBM PC project, Gates and Microsoft proceeded to make a fortune from the licensing of MS-DOS. In 1981, Tim Paterson quit Seattle Computer Products and found employment at Microsoft. Life begins with a disk drive. - Tim Paterson