It was 20 years ago today...

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Ron — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 17:29:00 GMT

nice post. I like how you were interviewed by the MZ of .exe file fame.

congrats on 20 years

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Ken Cox [MVP - ASP.NET] — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 17:35:00 GMT

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing these memories and observations!

Ken

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Mike Dimmick — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 17:39:00 GMT

And people think Microsoft don't have lifers...

I take it the stories about Windows 3.0 being a 'skunkworks' project are true then. Something the company is famous for - Windows CE was another skunkworks according to 'Inside Windows CE'.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Larry Osterman — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 17:40:00 GMT

Actually CE wasn't really a skunkworks project. What was a skunkworks project was the CE kernel, which Thomas Fenwick wrote over a month or two because the team was unhappy with the original kernel.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Raj — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 18:02:00 GMT

Is this a typo?

Dave Cutler – Another inspiration. He has forgotten(?) more about operating systems than I’ll ever know

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Ray Gabriel, MCSD .NET — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 18:20:00 GMT

Larry,

Awesome story. You should be very proud and congratulations to you and everyone at Microsoft. I can appreciate and identify with you, starting in 1980 timesharing on CompuServe, moving to the Timex Sinclair and graduating to the Morrow Micro Decision in 1982 – none of which had the 512KB that your 1st IBM PC had although I build the H19 Terminal for the Micro Decision (both of which are operational today!). My 1st PC clone in 1985 was equivalent to yours and I finally “arrived” in 1988, by running Windows 386 (version 2.03) on 2MB of ram and began my life’s calling (?) in Window’s programming with “the” SDK. I have closely followed Microsoft and the “Wintel” alliance ever since. I attended the Windows 3.1 Developer’s Conference in 8/91 in Redmond and receiving the 1st MSDN CD-ROM where we were “encouraged” to purchase a CD-ROM drive. (I also attended PDC03 and was blown away!) The rest is history. I have since then been rewarded continuously for doing something I truly enjoy (in spite of some frustrating moments), but really can only say “Thanks” to you and everyone at Microsoft for not only providing me and countless others with tremendous opportunities, but for playing a major role improving the lives of people around the world.

Fasten your seat belts for the next 2 decades!

Ray Gabriel, MCSD .NET
CEO/CSA, IMDC
rgabriel@imicrodev.net

Corporate Memory from a MSFT Lifer

maps and legends — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 21:30:00 GMT

Larry Osterman gives us an amazing long view of MSFT over the past 20 years in his blog:Over the past 20 years, Ive: Worked on two different versions of MS-DOS (4.0, 4.1). Worked on three different versions of Lan Manager (1.0, 1.5, 2.0) Worked on five different releases of Windows NT (3.1, 3.5, XP (SP2), W2K3 (SP1), Longhorn) Worked on four different releases of Exchange (4.0, 5.0, 5.5, and 2000) [snip] When I started at Microsoft,...

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Shaun — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 18:47:00 GMT

That's a very interesting post. I enjoyed.

So, my question to you is this:

With your 20 years of experience behind you, what advice would you give developers of today in order for them to remain/become successful?

Thanks!

Shaun

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Edward — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 19:16:00 GMT

Congratulations, a truely inspiring post.

As someone who is just starting out I only hope I can have even a 10th as long and rewarding a career.
Thanks for all the fascinating insights and best of luck shipping Longhorn in a reasonable timeframe.

You Rock

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Bruce Williams [MSFT] — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 20:16:00 GMT

What made your time in research such a bad experience?

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Steve Maine — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 20:22:00 GMT

Congrats on 20 years. That's a heck of a lot of M&M's!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Benjamin Mateos — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 21:41:00 GMT

WoW, really nice post!

Thanks for sharing all that "MS encyclopedia" with us. I really enjoy it !

Saludos desde España.

Benji.

Congrats, DV!

Danny Glasser (at 17 years, still "the new hi — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 21:50:00 GMT

I'm genuinely touched to be included in your reverie. Thanks for being a cheerful and never-ending source of useful information during my first year at Microsoft, when I lived across the hall from you.

I can think of several stories about the DV moniker, but the most memorable is when Microsoft introduced photos to the employee ID cards. On photo day, Larry shaved his beard, dyed his hair gray, and signed the card "DOS Vader." As far as I know it's the only time in the last twenty years that he's been without facial hair.

Coincidentally, today is my wife's 14th anniversary at Microsoft.

BTW, Larry, did you ever get a patent on "beeping death"? :-)

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Emperor Palpatine — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:16:00 GMT

You have done well, my young apprentice!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Larry Osterman — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:30:00 GMT

Nope, never did get the beeping death patent. But I was tempted :).

Actually I had forgotten about the beeping death until one of the people in my group told me that when he was an intern, his mentor pointed to me in the cafeteria one day and told him that I was responsible for it.

The worst thing is that it wasn't me - I didn't write the beeping death! It was either Henry or Irvin (I don't remember which one of them wrote minses).

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Leo Notenboom — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:48:00 GMT

Congrats Larry! I didn't make it to 20, but I agree ... it was a blast.

FWIW: I did post my offer letter some time back: http://notenboom.org/history/decision.html

And yep, Zibo was my first interview too. Spent 45 minutes interviewing, and then 45 minutes showing me this newfangled thing from Apple called "Lisa". :-)

Again, congratulations!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Larry Osterman — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:50:00 GMT

Wait a second Leo, you were making more than I was. And you got more stock! NO FAIR!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Kevin Dente — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:56:00 GMT

Dang, you must have accumulated a nice pile of stock options in all that time. Shouldn't you be cruising around the world in your yacht or something? ;)

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Mike Dimmick — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 23:28:00 GMT

Leo, on http://notenboom.org/history/acceptances.html you write that you think you outlasted everyone on the list. I don't know if it's the same guy, but there's a Mark Cliggett working as Group Program Manager on Visual Studio's Community Team. Bio at http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/team/bios/MARKCLI/.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Steve Ball — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 01:26:00 GMT

It's more than clear, you've seen a lot in 20 years, my friend. I've only recently been priviledged to see your excellence in action, up close. I challenge you to ignore Bill Joy, Dean Kamen, Ray Kurzweil, Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov and others who've made allegedly informed predictions about the future and describe what you see for MS (and technology in general) in 2024 on your 40th anniversary? Let 'er rip, Larry.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Larry Osterman — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 04:05:00 GMT

Mike,
I think that Mark left and came back. It often happens.

But it's the same Mark Cliggett. When I get back to work on Monday I'll check headtrax.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Danny Glasser — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 05:42:00 GMT

Mark's aforementioned bio says it explicitly: "This is my second tour of duty at Microsoft..."

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Ovidiu — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 07:20:00 GMT

Congratulations on your anniversary, Larry! I wish you as many successes for the next 20 years.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

asdf — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 04:22:00 GMT

Care to elaborate on "A job decision decided over a coin toss"?

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Scubadiver — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 12:35:00 GMT

Congratulations.
Try now to do some scubadiving.
You'll fell much better.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

mschaef — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 14:59:00 GMT

Congratulations!

There's probably been some of your code on every computer I've owned for 15 years... Thanks. :-)

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Larry Osterman — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 16:03:00 GMT

asdf, I'd love to. But it involves office politics and my recollection and the recollections of other people involved may be quite different.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

The Wife — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 03:21:00 GMT

There really have been good times and bad times. One of the things I find funny is that time hasn't really diminished the emotional feelings of either side of the coin. There isn't enough ink to thank all of the people who shared both with us.

I'm honored to be included in the list you did publish. And yes, some of the threats against your managers were entirely too real. If you think I turn into a mother bear when someone threatens the children, remember that it's a miracle that some of your bosses and co-workers were able to father any...

Just think: there was genuine concern from the family about you working for a "tiny little start-up that nobody's ever heard of".

Nice post. Nice life. Thanks for including me in both.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Al — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 05:33:00 GMT

I didn't know Brian had ever been a tester...

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Praveen — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 08:25:00 GMT

Congratulations for your term with Microsoft, hope you have many more wonderful years!!!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Alexey Kuznetsov — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 10:38:00 GMT

That was I always wanted to hear from somebody@microsoft. I enjoyed the post very much (as well as The Company). Thanks!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

mcchesney — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:41:00 GMT

Wow loved the blog, never realy read these things, but this one is a must.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Sriram — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 17:03:00 GMT

Amazing - this sure does inspire one to join Microsoft. Just amazing.

20 ans chez Microsoft... si, si, c'est possible, la preuve !!!

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 21:53:00 GMT

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Redo — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 18:58:00 GMT

Relayed on my blog and French Community.

Only one thing to saying : Respect and Congratulations !

http://blogs.developpeur.org/redo/archive/2004/08/31/2411.aspx

Redo
Ms MVP ASP.NET (France)

20 ans chez Microsoft... si, si, c'est possible, la preuve !!!

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 22:00:00 GMT

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Mike — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 19:24:00 GMT

Isn't it kind of depressing to go through your life and list your accomplishments? I mean do they really matter in the end. I try my best and do accomplish great things, but what do they mean to me and others when its all done? Maybe it is nice to say that you have done such and such with your life. I always have a much bigger list of what I would like to accomplish and maybe that's why it is depressing going through and saying I did *only* this. I suppose at some point I'll settle for some list I have come up with, but until then I have so much more to accomplish!

Microsoft fan - Mike

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Matt — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 20:38:00 GMT

Wow...that is amazing. 20 yrs at MS. I hope to work for MS one day (maybe along the lines of XBOX LIVE...gotting the link here from Major Nelson's (Larry Hyrb's) Blog. That is simply amazing.

I hope you work for another 20 yrs.

Matt

20 POUNDS OF M&Ms guy!

Christopher Galas — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 21:13:00 GMT

Where is your office; I'll pick some up. :)

20 years working at Microsoft

VB-tech weblog — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:51:00 GMT

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Larry Osterman — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 03:33:00 GMT

Mike, I've got to say that I don't think of it as depressing. Actually I'm really quite proud of the things I've done.

Some of the things I've done have had more significance in the world and some haven't, but it doesn't change how proud I am of them.

I'm not David Weise, but I AM the guy who implemented the code behind the network neighborhood (not the UI, but the NetServerEnum API).

I'm not Mark Zbikowski, but I AM the guy who wrote the Exchange POP3 and IMAP4 server.

I'm not Dave Cutler, but I AM the guy who wrote the first network filesystem in Windows NT.

I'm not Ralph Lipe (with so many patents that the plaques pile up on the floor in his office), but I DO have five patents.

I'm not one of the giants at Microsoft. But I've carved a niche out for myself and I'm proud of it.

I've never shattered the earth, but I stand behind every line of code I've ever written, and I'm darned proud of the work I've done over the years.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

orion — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 05:03:00 GMT

Very interesting.

Thanks Redo ;-)

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Stanley Krute — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 07:00:00 GMT

Thanks for the great journey.

I also have fond memories
of David Weise, excited as
all get-out, showing me the
Win 3x memory shmoogoo in the
wee morning hours.

Right around the corner, Todd Laney controlled one
of the company's few scanners, where early personalize screen
wallpaper was produced.

Yow time whips.

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Gamemaster3148 — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 07:26:00 GMT

Hey Major,

This story is own hell of story! It is truly amazing how you spent 20 techno years at Microsoft and even meeting your future partner there too! Congratulations!!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

orto — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 09:05:00 GMT

Quality post.

I think Mike needs a top up on his half empty glass......

well done and congrats on all your accomplishments! Be more proud than ever!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

StevenAkaProek — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 11:00:00 GMT

Hey man much respect to you and Microsoft. I love the XBOX!thank you for XBOX live it's a blast!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Ben — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 14:30:00 GMT

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion...

Sorry, couldn't resist it ;) Congratulations!

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Larry Osterman — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 15:33:00 GMT

Gamemaster3148: Actually Valorie and I met in school, she came out to join me during my first summer at Microsoft.

Geek Notes 2004-09-01

Geek Noise — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 19:34:00 GMT

re: It was 20 years ago today...

nobody in particular — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 20:52:00 GMT

So, was Exchange as wretched to write as it was to use?

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Mun — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 21:49:00 GMT

Thanks for sharing your experiences - makes interesting reading :-)

Congratulations mate! All the best for the next 20 years ;-)

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Gary Kimura — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 01:37:00 GMT

Hi Larry,

It was very nice of you to share about your experiences over the last two decades. And thank you for the plug regarding my coding style. I don’t know if I feel honored or ostracized (or should that be Osterman-cized).

re: It was 20 years ago today...

Vasanth — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:49:00 GMT

Wow, 20 years with MS and still going strong, Congratulations Larry. A truly quality post.

From Multitasking DOS to Windows Media: Larry Osterman on Microsoft Life

Tim Sneath — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 02:53:00 GMT

From Multitasking DOS to Windows Media: Larry Osterman on Microsoft Life

Tim Sneath — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 02:53:00 GMT

Microsoft, 30 years old

Alex Barnett blog — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 17:42:00 GMT

Microsoft, 30 years old

Alex Barnett blog — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 17:55:00 GMT

Fairwell to one of the great ones

Larry Osterman's WebLog — Wed, 02 Feb 2005 21:42:00 GMT

Fairwell to one of the great ones

Larry Osterman's WebLog — Wed, 02 Feb 2005 21:49:00 GMT

Farewell to one of the great ones

Larry Osterman's WebLog — Thu, 03 Feb 2005 02:28:00 GMT

Microsoft 30 years old

SmartWombat Blog — Thu, 03 Feb 2005 20:33:00 GMT

ũμƮ 30

HOLLOBLOG (ֺε) — Sun, 06 Feb 2005 02:29:00 GMT

[via Alex Barnett blog] 1975 ũμƮ 30 Ǿ׿. :) ̷ ũμƮ ( PC ˸ ϰ ִ) õ ̾߱ 캸 ͵ ִ ̰. The PC Timeline at PC Museum: "April 1975 Bill Gates and Paul Allen found...

Some technology-related stuff...

PR Opinions — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 12:16:51 GMT

Another year, another post

Larry Osterman's WebLog — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 20:21:18 GMT

Well, this year I didn't miss the anniversary of my first blog post.
I still can't quite believe it's...

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