Microsoft Bob definition of Microsoft Bob in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Microsoft Bob

An alternate Windows interface from Microsoft that was introduced in early 1996, but never caught on. Bob came with a word processor, checkbook and other home-oriented utilities and was designed for novices and people afraid of computers. Rather than the typical desktop metaphor, it used household rooms that could be decorated with familiar objects. There was even a selection of outdoor scenes visible through the windows in the house. "Rover" the dog and other animated guides provided online help.

Too Cutesy
Bob never became popular because it was downright silly, treating people as if they were infants. In fact, the name "Bob" was chosen because surveys claimed it was the friendliest name. But instead of refining the Windows interface, designers went to the other extreme. People were, and still are, afraid of computers because the menus are too complicated. The only help novices ever needed or still need is a separate beginner's menu with limited choices, not turning the desktop into a house.

The Public Family Room

This "Public Family Room" was Bob's default startup screen. Clicking the calendar would launch the calendar program; clicking the $ box opened a financial guide and so on. (Screen shot courtesy of Dan Rose, www.d2ca.org)

Window Views

Microsoft Bob had a different meaning for the word "windows." It didn't refer to application windows on screen; actual views looking outdoors from the house windows were provided (see top image). Words such as "Looky" were meant to be friendly, but turned out to be silly. (Screen shot courtesy of Dan Rose, www.d2ca.org)

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No references found	Word's automatic hyperlinks are now as dead as Microsoft Bob. Bye-bye hyperlinks by District Administration The two companies do have a history of working together: In 1993 they collaborated on a mass-market accounting package called Microsoft Profit, which crashed and burned almost as fast as the legendary Microsoft Bob. THE MICROSOFT/GREAT PLAINS MERGER by Soft-Letter It's tempting to write off Microsoft's "social interface" (originally embodied in the Microsoft Bob shell program) as a truly dumb idea that no amount of Redmondian marketing muscle could salvage. Emerging technologies: the social interface model by Soft-Letter	microscopic state microscopic stress microscopic theory microscopical microscopical diagnosis microscopist microscopy microsecond microsegmentation microsegregation microseism microseismic instrument microsensor microseptum Microserf microshrinkage microsilica microsite Microslop Microsloth Windows Microsociology Microsoft Microsoft Access Microsoft and IBM Microsoft Basic Microsoft Bob Microsoft C Microsoft certification Microsoft Certified Solution Developer Microsoft Certified System Engineer Microsoft Certified Systems Developer Microsoft Cluster Server Microsoft Consulting Services Microsoft Corp. Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Data Access Components Microsoft DirectAccess Microsoft Disk Operating System Microsoft DLC Microsoft DOS Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft Dynamics AX Microsoft Dynamics CRM Microsoft Dynamics GP Microsoft Dynamics NAV Microsoft Dynamics Point of Sale Microsoft Dynamics RMS Microsoft Dynamics SL Microsoft Dynamics Snap Microsoft Excel Microsoft Exchange	Microsoft ActiveSync Microsoft ActiveSync Microsoft ActiveX Development Kit Microsoft Advanced Network Users Society Microsoft and IBM Microsoft Antispyware Microsoft Antivirus Microsoft Application Bridge Microsoft Application Virtualization Microsoft Application Virtualization Microsoft argo Microsoft Assembler Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit Microsoft Assistance Markup Language Microsoft at Work Microsoft Audit Collection System Microsoft Authorized Distributor Microsoft Automated Installation Kit Microsoft Avalon Microsoft AX Microsoft BackOffice Microsoft BackOffice Microsoft BackOffice Microsoft BackOffice Server Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Microsoft BASIC Microsoft BizTalk Server Microsoft Blackcomb Microsoft Bob Microsoft Business Division Microsoft Business Framework Microsoft Business Intelligence Microsoft Business Scorecard Manager Microsoft Business Solutions Microsoft Business Solutions Microsoft Business User Forum Microsoft C Microsoft Cabinet Files Microsoft Campus Microsoft Campus Microsoft Campus License Agreement Microsoft Canada Development Center Microsoft CardSpace Microsoft CD-ROM Extension Microsoft Center of Excellence Microsoft certification Microsoft certification Microsoft Certified Application Designer Microsoft Certified Application Developer Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Microsoft Certified Architect Microsoft Certified Data Base Administrator Microsoft Certified Database Administrator Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Microsoft Certified Desktop Technician Microsoft Certified Developer

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References in periodicals archive

Encyclopedia browser

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No references found

Word's automatic hyperlinks are now as dead as Microsoft Bob.

Bye-bye hyperlinks by District Administration

The two companies do have a history of working together: In 1993 they collaborated on a mass-market accounting package called Microsoft Profit, which crashed and burned almost as fast as the legendary Microsoft Bob.

THE MICROSOFT/GREAT PLAINS MERGER by Soft-Letter

It's tempting to write off Microsoft's "social interface" (originally embodied in the Microsoft Bob shell program) as a truly dumb idea that no amount of Redmondian marketing muscle could salvage.

Emerging technologies: the social interface model by Soft-Letter

microscopical diagnosis