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Microsoft Bob
Bob was Microsoft's 1995 attempt at a "social interface" program for Windows 3.1: essentially, the idea was to create a way for the masses to use computers without the ability to use computers. Double-click on Bob, and you enter a virtual home, full of clickable household items which link the user to inferior applications. You were guided by "helpful" dog named Rover, who barks at you while blurbs spring from his head with directions on what to click if you want to, say, balance your checkbook or write a letter. We should add that the mastermind behind this colossal flop is none other than Melinda French -- currently known as Mrs. Bill Gates. Some guys buy their women jewelry, others smile and nod encouragingly as they spend millions creating the stuff of landfills.
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Comments
11
Subscribe to commentsJohn PurcellAug 13th 2008 6:33AM
You forgot Vista
AmyAug 13th 2008 10:58AM
Hey I remember MS Bob! We had this when I was a teenager. You had to actually open this program manually, so it wasn’t like an operating system. It didn’t do anything that you couldn’t already do, except it may have had some games like chess or something…I can’t remember. Anyway, I mainly used it to pass the time when I was bored. You could add and “decorate” your rooms like a primitive version of “The Sims” without any people in it. I was probably supposed to be doing homework or something. Oh well!
miaSep 2nd 2008 12:14PM
I loved MS Bob too! I was 12 when we got it, so maybe that's why. I have to say that decorating the rooms was the best part, but so was choosing a "guide" and I liked a few of their games. I wondered why it wasn't around anymore--I didn't realize it was that big a flop. Maybe they should have marketed it to children.
TracyAug 13th 2008 12:54PM
"Some guys...smile and nod encouragingly"?? Could this BE any more patronizing to women? Yeah that's right....later, Bill G patted his wife on the head, scratched behind her ears, and gave her a cookie.
Greg ForrestAug 13th 2008 4:18PM
Isn't the dog the same dog from the search companion in XP? I hate that dog.
Ed MarkerAug 14th 2008 8:51PM
Brilliant Greg! I hate that miserably slow "search assistant" dog too!
jon rodgersSep 2nd 2008 6:35AM
LOL. I thought that was the same dog as soon as I started reading this. I don't mind the dog...he just sits in the corner chating...lol
RobinAug 20th 2008 11:52AM
What an underrated novelty! I loved Microsoft Bob! Honestly if they had some version of Microsoft Bob for Vista or XP I would be a very happy camper - the "letter writing" feature had great "do it yourself" stationery and envelopes that were quite fun and the check book balancer was user friendly and gave me confidence to try something more sophisticated for home bookkeeping. My kids loved creating their own personal spaces and decorating them - there were Xmas decorations, different themes for your space.
miaSep 2nd 2008 12:35PM
I was offended by that, too. At least Melinda thought of something with some potential.
shaynaSep 2nd 2008 7:00PM
I'm a woman, and I thought the smile and nod remark was hilarious! Come on ladies`wheres your sense of humor?
AliciaSep 2nd 2008 12:43PM
I remember this product! I loved the Microsoft Bob program, I was a kid wnen it came out and it was so user friendly! My stepmom loved it too, the older generation that isn't so computer savvy found it to be easy to use! I really wish they still had the program, my kids would love it!!!!