Evolution of Microsoft Windows: 1985 – 2009

It all began in Plaza Hotel, New York City on the 10th of November 1983. Two Microsoft founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates officially announced their corporation's first and next-generation graphical user interface operating system - Microsoft Windows.

Despite the criticism on stability and constantly being compared to their rivals Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows is still the most widely used operating systems in the world. In this article, we'll bring you back to 1985 where the very first official Microsoft Windows 1.0 was announced, and then we take a trip down memory lane to see all boot screens and desktop interface of all Windows operating system possible.

Windows 1.01 (1985)

Officially released on November 20, 1985, this 16-bit OS that cost less than 1MB in overall is Microsoft's very first operating system that allows multi tasking with graphical user interface on PC platform that runs on MS-DOS 5.0.

windows 1.01

windows 1.01

Windows 1.01

Windows 1.03 (1986)

Introduced in 1986, Windows 1.03 is an upgrade to its previous predecessor Windows 1.01. Entire operating system cost about 2.2Mb hard disk space.

Windows 1.03

Windows 1.03

Windows 2.03 (1987)

Taking advantage of the speed of Intel 286/386 processor at that time, Windows 2.03 is a replacement for Windows 1.x. It also starts the era where users are able to overlap windows, customize screens, etc. Still the entire operating system cost no more than 2.5Mb.

Windows 2.03

Windows 2.86 (1989)

Windows 2.86

Windows 3.0 (1990)

This is the third major released of Microsoft Windows with a improved set of Windows icons and applications like File Manager, Program Manager that is still being used in today's Windows. This 22 May 1990 released operating system is then replaced by Windows 3.1 two years later.

windows 3.0

Windows 3.0

Windows 3.1 (1992)

Windows 3.1 is probably the earliest Windows most of us are familiar with. Windows 3.1 and later Windows 3.1x is an upgrade to Windows 3.0 with bug fixes and multimedia support.

windows 3.1

Windows 3.1

Windows 3.1

Windows NT 3.1 (1993)

The first Windows New Technology (NT) introduced. It maintains consistency with the Windows 3.1, a well-established home and business operating system at the time, the new Windows NT operating system began with version 3.1. Unlike Windows 3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 was a 32-bit operating system.

Windows NT 3.1

Windows 3.11 (1993)

A superset of Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 added peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking support. For the first time, Windows-based PCs were network-aware and became an integral part of the emerging client/server computing evolution - Microsoft

Windows 3.11

Windows 3.11

Windows NT 3.51 Workstation (1995)

The Windows NT Workstation 3.5 release provided the highest degree of protection yet for critical business applications and data. With support for the OpenGL graphics standard, this operating system helped power high-end applications for software development, engineering, financial analysis, scientific, and business-critical tasks - Microsoft

Windows NT 3.51 Workstation

Windows NT 3.51 Workstation

Windows 95 (1995)

Previously code-named Chicago, Windows 95 is a successor to all the existing Windows operating system so far. It gives full graphical user interface support, integrated a 32-bit TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack for built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that made it easy for users to install hardware and software.

Windows 95

Windows 95

Windows NT 4.0 (1996)

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 included the popular Windows 95 user interface yet provided improved networking support for easier and more secure access to the Internet and corporate intranets - Microsoft.

Windows NT 4.0

Windows NT 4.0

Windows NT Server 4.0 (1996)

Windows NT Server 4.0

Windows NT Server 4.0

Windows 98 (1998)

Windows 98 was the upgrade from Windows 95. Described as an operating system that "Works Better, Plays Better," Windows 98 was the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers - Microsoft.

Windows 98

Windows 98

Windows 2000 (2000)

More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional was also designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 added major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing - Microsoft.

Windows 2000

Windows 2000

Windows 2000 Server (2000)

Windows 2000 Server

Windows 2000 Server

Windows ME (2000)

Designed for home computer users, Windows Me offered consumers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements - Microsoft.

Windows ME

Windows ME

Windows XP (2001)

Windows XP Professional brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop, enhancing reliability, security, and performance. With a fresh visual design, Windows XP Professional includes features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features - Microsoft.

Windows XP

Windows XP

Windows XP

Windows Server 2003 (2003)

Released on April 2003, and also known as Win2k3, this operating system is a sucessor to it's predecessor Windows Server 2000 (Win2k).

Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2003

Windows Vista (2006)

Came more than 5 years after it's predecessor Windows XP, Vista is the longest timeline break for Microsoft between two operating system. Read more.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista

Windows Vista

Windows 7 (2009)

Codenamed Blackcomb, Windows 7 is one of the most anticipated operating system which should be available somewhere in Oct 2009. Read more.

Windows 7

Windows 7

Windows 7

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28 Google Reader Shortcuts

4:30 AM by Yash Kalra 0 comments

Mastering shortcuts is definitely the way to speed your efficiency in any software, let it be an offline application like photoshop, Windows OS itself or even online applications. Here are 28 shortcuts to help you speed read and control your Google Reader.

J Selects Next Item in list
K Selects Previous Item in list
Space Page Up
Shift + Space Page Down
N Next Item in list view
P Previous Item in list view
O Expand / Collapses any selected item
Enter Expand / Collapses any selected item
S Star an item
Shift + S Share an item
M Mark item as Read / Unread
T Tag an item
V Open article source code in new window
Shift + A Mark all as read
1 Expand all subscriptions
2 Headline views all subscriptions
R Refresh feeds
Shift + N Next in subscriptions
Shift + P Previous in subscriptions
Shift + X Expand / Collaps folders of subscriptions
Shift + O Open selected subscriptions
G H Go back to Home
G S Go to Starred items
G T Launch Tag and browse by Tag
G U Launch Subscription and browse Subscriptions
U Hide / Show Subscription Panel
Shift + ? Where I got this list from. Reader shortcuts in Popup :-)
Alt + F4 Time to get back to work

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80 Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Outlook

4:22 AM by Yash Kalra 0 comments
Here are a list of shortcuts to help you move faster in Microsoft Outlook


  • Alt + . (period) Open the Address Book with the To field selected
  • Alt + A Open the Action drop-down menu
  • Alt + B Open the Address Book with the BCC field selected
  • Alt + C Select message recipients for CC field
  • Alt + D Switch to Daily calendar view
  • Alt + E Open the Edit drop-down menu
  • Alt + F Open the File drop-down menu
  • Alt + G Open the Go drop-down menu
  • Alt + H Open the Help drop-down menu
  • Alt + I Open the Find tool bar / Open the Insert drop-down menu
  • Alt + J Move to the Subject field
  • Alt + K Check names in the To, CC, or BCC field against the Address Book (cursor must be in the corresponding message header field)
  • Alt + L Reply All
  • Alt + M Switch to Monthly calendar view
  • Alt + N Open the Accounts drop-down menu
  • Alt + O Open the Format drop-down menu / Switch to Today calendar view
  • Alt + P Open the Message Options dialog box
  • Alt + R Reply / Switch to Work Week Calendar view
  • Alt + S Send
  • Alt + T Open the Tools drop-down menu
  • Alt + V Open the View drop-down menu
  • Alt + W Forward an item / Switch to Weekly calendar view
  • Alt + Y Switch to Daily calendar view
  • Ctrl + 1 Go to Mail
  • Ctrl + 2 Go to Calendar
  • Ctrl + 3 Go to Contacts
  • Ctrl + 4 Go to Tasks
  • Ctrl + 5 Go to Notes
  • Ctrl + 6 Go to Folder List
  • Ctrl + 7 Go to Shortcuts
  • Ctrl + 8 Go to Journal
  • Ctrl + A Select all
  • Ctrl + B Bold when editing a rich text message
  • Ctrl + C Copy
  • Ctrl + D Delete an item (message, task, contact, etc.)
  • Ctrl + E Activate the Find drop-down menu / Center Align when editing a rich text message
  • Ctrl + F Forward
  • Ctrl + J Open a new Journal Entry from the selected item (message, task, contact, etc.)
  • Ctrl + K Check names in the To, CC, or BCC field against the Address Book (cursor must be in the corresponding message header field)
  • Ctrl + M Send/Receive all
  • Ctrl + O Open
  • Ctrl + P Print
  • Ctrl + Q Mark the selected message Read
  • Ctrl + R Reply
  • Ctrl + S Save a draft message
  • Ctrl + T Tab
  • Ctrl + U Mark the selected message Unread
  • Ctrl + V Paste
  • Ctrl + X Cut
  • Ctrl + Y Go to Folder
  • Ctrl + Z Undo
  • Ctrl + Backspace Delete the previous word
  • Ctrl + End Move to the end
  • Ctrl + Home Move to the beginning
  • Ctrl + Shift + A Open a new Appointment
  • Ctrl + Shift + B Open the Address Book
  • Ctrl + Shift + C Create a new Contact
  • Ctrl + Shift + E Open a new folder
  • Ctrl + Shift + F Open the Advanced Find window
  • Ctrl + Shift + G Flag message for follow up
  • Ctrl + Shift + J Open a new Journal Entry
  • Ctrl + Shift + K Open a new Task
  • Ctrl + Shift + L Open a new Distribution List
  • Ctrl + Shift + M Open a new Message
  • Ctrl + Shift + N Open a new Note
  • Ctrl + Shift + O Switch to the Outbox
  • Ctrl + Shift + P Open the New Search Folder window
  • Ctrl + Shift + Q Open a new Meeting Request
  • Ctrl + Shift + R Reply All
  • Ctrl + Shift + S Open a new Discussion
  • Ctrl + Shift + U Open a new Task Request
  • Ctrl + Shift + Y Copy a Folder
  • Shift + Tab Select the previous message header button or field
  • F1 Open Outlook Help
  • F3 Activate the Find toolbar
  • F4 Open the Find window
  • F7 Spellcheck
  • F9 Send and receive all
  • F10 Select File from the Outlook toolbar button
  • F11 Activate the "Find a contact" dialog box
  • F12 Save As
  • Alt + F4 Close the active window



How to Retrieve Passwords From Asterisks

3:49 AM by Yash Kalra 1 comments


We use the "Remember Me" feature in most form logins to help the signing in process faster. But taking advantage of that sometimes makes us forget what our real passwords are. If you often stare at the asterisks and wonder what's your actual password, try this trick. It uses Javascript alert popup to reveal you the password behind the asterisks.


Retrieving password behind asterisks

This trick only work on Firefox browser. On any page or login forms with asterisks passwords, copy paste the following Javascript into the url bar and hit enter. Your password should display on a popup window.

Script

javascript:(function(){var s,F,j,f,i; s = ""; F = document.forms; for(j=0; j<F.length; ++j) { f = F[j]; for (i=0; i<f.length; ++i) { if (f[i].type.toLowerCase() == "password") s += f[i].value + "\n"; } } if (s) alert("Passwords in forms on this page:\n\n" + s); else alert("There are no passwords in forms on this page.");})();

Make a bookmarklet

if you think you will be using this quite often, try creating a bookmarket out of it. Just drag Retrieve Passwd to your Firefox bookmark toolbar, rename if you want.



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Retrieve lost Windows Password

3:48 AM by Yash Kalra 0 comments

Having problem retrieving your lost Windows password? This video tutorial by PCWorld teach you various methods how to retrieve your password. Video after jump.

Here's URLs to the 3rd party applications and website recommended by PCWorld.

Ophcrack
Emergency Boot CD
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor
Tech-FAQ

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Evolution of Photoshop: 1988 – 2009

3:46 AM by Yash Kalra 0 comments


Adobe Photoshop has always been one of the greatest (if not the best) software when it comes to manipulating and editing image. It all started off in 1987 with a Mac application call Display, created by Thomas Knoll. With almost two decades worth of changes and improvements, you almost can't imagine how the first version of Photoshop would look like by looking at the Photoshop you have on your desktop.

In this post, we attempt to bring you back in time to look at how the very first Photoshop look like, then we scan through each evolution of Photoshop to the latest Adobe Photoshop CS4 in market today.

Application Icon



Adobe Photoshop .63 (1988)

Adobe Photoshop .87 (1989)

Adobe Photoshop 1.0 (1990)

Adobe Photoshop 2.0 (1993)

Adobe Photoshop 2.5 (1993)

Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (1995)

Adobe Photoshop 4.0 (1996)

Adobe Photoshop 5.0 (1998)

Adobe Photoshop 5.5 (1998)

Adobe Photoshop 6.0 (2000)

Adobe Photoshop 7.0 (2002)

Creative Suite 1 (2003)

Creative Suite 2 (2005)

Creative Suite 3 (2007)

Creative Suite 4 (2009)

Welcome Splash / About Screen


Adobe Photoshop .07 (1988)



Adobe Photoshop .63 (1988)



Adobe Photoshop .87 (1989)



Adobe Photoshop 1.0 (1990)



Adobe Photoshop 2.0 (1993)



Adobe Photoshop 2.5 (1993)



Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (1995)



Adobe Photoshop 4.0 (1996)



Adobe Photoshop 5.0 (1998)



Adobe Photoshop 5.5 (1998)



Adobe Photoshop 6.0 (2000)



Adobe Photoshop 7.0 (2002)



Creative Suite 1 (2003)



Creative Suite 2 (2005)



Creative Suite 3 (2007)



Creative Suite 4 (2009)



Toolbars


Adobe Photoshop .63 (1988)



Adobe Photoshop .87 (1989)



Adobe Photoshop 1.0 (1990)



Adobe Photoshop 2.0 (1993)



Adobe Photoshop 2.5 (1993)



Adobe Photoshop 3.0(1995)



Adobe Photoshop 4.0(1998)



Adobe Photoshop 5.0(1998)



Adobe Photoshop 5.5(1998)



Adobe Photoshop 6.0 (2000)



Adobe Photoshop 7.0(2002)



Creative Suite 1(2003)



Creative Suite 2(2005)



Creative Suite 3(2007)



Creative Suite 4 (2009)




Workspace


Adobe Photoshop 0.63 (1988)



Adobe Photoshop 1.0 (1990)



Adobe Photoshop 2.5 (1993)



Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (1995)



Adobe Photoshop 4.0 (1996)



Adobe Photoshop 5.0 (1998)



Adobe Photoshop 5.5 (1998)



Adobe Photoshop 6.0 (2000)



Adobe Photoshop 7.0 (2002)



Creative Suite 1 (2003)



Creative Suite 2 (2005)



Creative Suite 3 (2007)



Creative Suite 4 (2009)







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