Re: RE:was FN-FORUM Mac info request (now general slag off Bill G posts)

date posted 15th September 2002 19:20

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andys webguru mail" [EMAIL REMOVED]


> Ahem... "That said, they did once make a reasonable OS (DOS :)"
>
> Sorry, old Bill G bought a reasonable OS from a small start-up company and
after a bit of tinkering licensed it to IBM
>
> Microsoft would like you to think that they invented DOS, but alas its
just another urban legend
>
> Andy
>

If I recall, it was called QDos, or something (not the same as the QL!!).
But to be fair to MicroSoft, it was pretty much a CP/M style OS and M$ did
some hefty lump hammering to turn it into MSDOS2 (version 1 was a bit of a
dog) and then MSDOS 3.3 (after which it took a bit of a nose dive).

At the time Gates was after a quick kill after DR turned down IBM's request
for a version of CP/M for the IBM PC. Later DR realised their mistake and
came out with CP/M86, but it was too late....

Can't remember what the name of the company that microsoft bought QDOS from,
though.

Mark

PS I think QDOS was for "Quick and Dirty OS"