D2CA.ORG - Dan's 20th Century Abandonware - Microsoft® Bob™ Exhibit

D2CA's Microsoft® Bob™ Exhibit

D2CA's Microsoft Bob presentation

Microsoft Bob 1.0a
Copyright © 1995 Microsoft Corporation
Released on CD-ROM. Total installed size: 34.89MB

Microsoft Bob 1.0a Gateway 2000 Edition
Copyright © 1995 Microsoft Corporation
Released on CD-ROM. Total installed size: 37.52MB

In 1995, after a major advertising campaign, Microsoft released a product called "Microsoft Bob."

There are those who shun Microsoft Bob as a massive failure, and there are others who hail it as a wonderful alternative for those who don't readily take to using computers.

A "social interface" graphical environment, this was the first major attempt to "humanize" the personal computer computing experience outside the realm of children's educational software.

Featured below are links to the categories of my Microsoft Bob exhibit which feature hundreds of screen shots and some text to tell the tale of the social interface that never caught on, yet left a legacy that continues to this day.

So come on in, click around, and meet Microsoft Bob.

Microsoft Bob 1.0a Setup Program
Screen shots and descriptions of the Microsoft Bob 1.0a setup program (CD-ROM version).

Microsoft Bob 1.0 Plus Pack Setup Program
Screen shots and descriptions of the Microsoft Bob 1.0 Plus Pack setup program -- the upgrade add-on for Microsoft Bob 1.00.

Microsoft Bob's "Bob Home" Sign In
When starting Microsoft Bob for the first time or creating a new user account, you must complete the sign in procedure.

Microsoft Bob's "Home Tour"
Microsoft Bob can give you an overview of its features. It is called the "Home Tour."

Microsoft Bob's Program Options
These are some of the options you can use to customize things in Microsoft Bob.

Microsoft Bob's "Bob Home"
This is where it all happens. View screen shots and descriptions of the Bob Home.

Microsoft Bob's "Friends"
Microsoft Bob 1.0a has 17 "friends" and 2 "specialists." Come meet the "Friends of Bob."

Microsoft Bob's Application Software
Microsoft Bob is packed with productivity and educational software. Take a look at the programs Bob has to offer.

Microsoft Bob's Clip Art
Microsoft Bob has dozens of clip art pictures in several categories.

Microsoft Bob's "Bob Home" Views
Microsoft Bob has 17 background pictures, called "views," to choose from to change the scene outside Bob's "Home."

Microsoft Bob's "Security"
How secure is your Microsoft Bob sign in account, setup, and information? Read this and you will know.

Microsoft Bob, The "Environmentalist"
Bob is "green" with the ecological thing. Take a look at some of Microsoft Bob's views on conservation.

Microsoft Bob Errors
Here are some error messages Microsoft Bob displays when you try to do some things "outside of Bob."

Microsoft Bob, The Packaging And Media
This page features photos of Microsoft Bob's packaging and media.

Microsoft Bob: In Memorium
Microsoft Bob is dead. Long live Microsoft Bob.

Microsoft Bob LIVES!
Microsoft Bob is dead? Not even! Bob is alive and well in these programs.

In his image?
A lady named Melinda French was the Project Manager for Microsoft Bob and also invented the concept of Microsoft Bob's "personal guides." Ms. French later became none other than Mrs. Bill Gates.

Putting "nerd" glasses on a smiley face conjures up an image resembling another familiar face, as does putting glasses and facial features on a lexicon book, as shown in this picture "line-up" above.

Were Bob and Lexi modeled after the man in the middle? Actually, no, they were not. But the resemblence is eerily similar.

Did you enjoy my Microsoft Bob exhibit?
Please tell me!