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What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

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Re: What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

#101

Post by feintruled »

tialaramex wrote: post #54
throwaway236324 wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article refers to Amiga, which came out in 1985 with a multi tasking OS (Workbench). That was a popular computer, at least in Europe. It was not as popular as IBM PCs, but it did show that it was possible at a reasonable price.

Although the Amiga Workbench has pre-emptive multi-tasking it not only has but encourages use of a backdoor to switch off the pre-emption. As a result you don't gain as much as you might hope over systems with co-operative multi-tasking like Windows 3.x - Apps A, B and C may be getting along just fine, but if App D is selfish enough they're all screwed anyway. Together with lack of memory protection (for hardware cos…

It's not acceptable for 2022, it was bloody amazing in 1985. Obviously you pick the apps you run, so if you stuck to well behaving apps (and there were plenty) the multitasking was great. Crashes were a fact of life to be sure - one was wise to save often.

Re: What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

#102

Post by throitallaway »

gzer0 wrote: post #6

https://youtu.be/5DqJwmzG6Fk?t=1133 This video was linked in the article. What a trip down memory lane. This is the most 90's thing that ever existed. Also, the explanation of what a "right click" is and how it is for "power users". Wow, how far we have come. (This is at 21:50 in the video).

I mean, macOS has pretty much ensured that their version of right clicking (cmd-click) is only used by power users.

Re: What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

#105

Post by cecilpl2 »

mikestew wrote: post #94
mwexler wrote: post #82

Having worked at MSN during this time, I can tell you, the jealousy of AOL and the client-based walled garden they built was almost physically palpable. AOL was the onramp to the internet for so many folks, but many felt they didn't need to leave the garden. MSN was kind of a halfway spot: a bit more open, but also more integrated into Windows (standard embrace and extend approach). Yahoo! was the other big worry: al…

One nitpick: Microsoft Money was around since the early '90s, long before MSN showed up. I also miss it very much.

Microsoft Money Sunset Edition still works. I can still download all my credit card statements in OFX (MS Money format). I use it weekly and have nearly 20 years of transaction history stored there.

I have no idea what I'll do if it ever stops working.

The killer feature I would switch instantly for is a way to automatically set part ownership of a joint account. I want to download credit card transactions and mark them as being 1/2 mine, so it doesn't throw off my budget tracking.

This feature does not exist in any financial software, sadly.

Re: What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

#107

Post by danielodievich »

cecilpl2 wrote: post #105
mikestew wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One nitpick: Microsoft Money was around since the early '90s, long before MSN showed up. I also miss it very much.

Microsoft Money Sunset Edition still works. I can still download all my credit card statements in OFX (MS Money format). I use it weekly and have nearly 20 years of transaction history stored there. I have no idea what I'll do if it ever stops working. The killer feature I would switch instantly for is a way to automatically set part ownership of a joint account. I want to download credit card transactions and mark t…

I've been msmoneying since 1998. The file has it all and still works amazingly well. Many banks still support the formats and yeah, it is completely offline which is how I like it.

Re: What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

#108

Post by garaetjjte »

voidfunc wrote: post #2

Definitely a forgotten program. Another one from that era (that actually survived until Win 10 I just learned) is the "Briefcase". It was basically a primitive file syncing tool for multiple devices.

Briefcase also used shell extension madness, and allowed registration of merge handlers: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/lwef/briefcas...

Re: What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

#109

Post by andrepd »

2000UltraDeluxe wrote: post #34
voidfunc wrote: post #2

Definitely a forgotten program. Another one from that era (that actually survived until Win 10 I just learned) is the "Briefcase". It was basically a primitive file syncing tool for multiple devices.

The Briefcase was a godsend back when removable storage was used to move files between computers and there was no other way to keep things synced. It's a shame they removed it.

Back when? :) Putting things on a flash drive and plugging it elsewhere is still the best/easiest way to move files in many situations.

Re: What the Hell Was the Microsoft Network? (2018)

#110

Post by karmajunkie »

andrepd wrote: post #109
2000UltraDeluxe wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Briefcase was a godsend back when removable storage was used to move files between computers and there was no other way to keep things synced. It's a shame they removed it.

Back when? :) Putting things on a flash drive and plugging it elsewhere is still the best/easiest way to move files in many situations.

Think floppier...
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