View source for Microsoft Bob

{{Short description|Microsoft software product}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Microsoft Bob
| logo = Microsoft Bob Logo.png
| logo size = 250px
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1995|03|10}}<ref name=lifeobsoleteproducts>{{cite web|title=Lifecycle Information for Microsoft Obsolete Products Support |url=http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeobsoleteproducts |website=support.microsoft.com |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050814234847/http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeobsoleteproducts |archive-date=14 August 2005 }}</ref>
| latest release version = 1.00a
| latest release date = {{start date|1995|08|30}}<ref name=lifeobsoleteproducts />
| discontinued = yes
| operating system = [[Windows 3.1]], [[Windows 95]], [[Windows 98]], [[Windows Me]], [[Windows XP]]<ref name= microsoftbobdiscussion>{{cite web |title = Raymond Chen Discusses Microsoft Bob |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2008.07.windowsconfidential.aspx |website=technet.microsoft.com |date=September 8, 2016 |publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
| genre = [[GUI]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
}}
'''Microsoft Bob''' was a [[Microsoft]] [[software]] product intended to provide a more user-friendly interface for the [[Windows 3.1]], [[Windows 95]] and [[Windows NT]] operating systems, supplanting the Windows [[Program Manager]]. The program was released on March 10, 1995, and discontinued in early 1996. Microsoft Bob presented screens showing a house, with rooms that the user could visit containing familiar objects corresponding to computer applications, such as a desk with pen and paper and a checkbook. Clicking on the pen and paper would open the system's [[word processor]]. A cartoon dog named Rover and other cartoon characters provided guidance using [[speech balloon]]s.

Upon release, Microsoft Bob was criticized in the media and did not gain wide acceptance with users, which resulted in its discontinuation. Its legacy would be observed in future Microsoft products, notably the use of virtual assistants. The Rover character later reappeared as a [[Windows XP]] search companion.

==History==
Microsoft Bob was released in March 1995 (before Windows 95 was released), although it had been widely publicized under the codename Utopia.<ref>{{cite news | title=MS plans Utopia for PC users | journal=Computer Shoqqer |date=April 1994 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Microsoft makes for Utopia | journal=Personal Computer World |date=May 1994 }}</ref> The project leader for Bob was [[Karen Fries]], a Microsoft researcher. The design was based on research by professors [[Clifford Nass]] and Byron Reeves of [[Stanford University]].<ref name=chronicles>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602125205/http://www.pcworld.com/article/193006/the_bob_chronicles.html |archive-date=2018-06-02 | url-status=dead | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/193006/the_bob_chronicles.html | title = The Bob Chronicles | first = Harry | last = McCracken | date = March 31, 2010 | work = [[PC World]] | publisher = [[International Data Group|IDG]] | access-date = 2024-07-08}}</ref> [[Melinda Gates]], ex-wife of [[Bill Gates]], was the marketing manager for the product.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/failure-taught-me-lesson-ill-never-forget-melinda-gates|title=This failure taught me a lesson I'll never forget|last=Gates|first=Melinda|author-link=Melinda Gates|date=October 8, 2017|website=[[LinkedIn]]|language=en|access-date=July 3, 2019}}</ref> Microsoft originally purchased the [[domain name]] bob.com from Boston-area techie Bob Antia, but later traded it to Bob Kerstein for the [[Windows 2000|windows2000.com]] domain name.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theregister.com/1999/11/11/windows2000_com_owner_sells_domain/ | title=Windows2000.com owner sells domain to Microsoft | work=[[The Register]] | date=11 November 1999 | access-date=2006-10-24 | author-last=Lea | author-first=Graham |author-link=Graham Lea (journalist)}}</ref>

==Applications==
[[File:Microsoft-Bob-screenshot.png|thumb|right|A screenshot of the "family room" area of the Microsoft Bob software, including the "Assistant" character Rover]]

Microsoft Bob includes various office-suite programs such as a finance application and a [[word processor]]. The user interface was designed to simplify the navigational experience for novice computer users.

Similar to early graphical shells like [[Jane (software)|Jane]], the main interface is portrayed as the inside of a house, with different rooms corresponding to common real-world room styles such as a kitchen or family room. Each room contains decorations and furniture, as well as [[Icon (computing)|icons]] that represent applications. The user may also fully customize the entire house and has full control over each room's decoration. The user may add, remove or reposition all objects. The user can also add or remove rooms and change the destinations of each door. The program offers multiple themes for room designs and decorations, such as contemporary and [[postmodern]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/14/magazine/facing-the-future.html|title=Facing the Future|last=Manes|first=Stephen|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1995-01-17|access-date=2021-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111004640/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/14/magazine/facing-the-future.html|archive-date=2014-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

The applications built into Microsoft Bob are represented by matching decorations. For example, clicking on a clock opens the calendar, while a pen and paper represent the word processor. The user can also add shortcuts to applications on the computer. These shortcuts display the icon inside various styles of decorations, such as boxes and picture frames.<ref name="Nathan Lineback">{{cite web | url=http://toastytech.com/guis/bob2.html | title=Microsoft Bob | work=Nathan's Toasty Technology | access-date=11 May 2012 | author=Nathan Lineback}}</ref>

Bob includes the ability to install new applications, but because of the failure of the product, only a single add-on application package, Microsoft Great Greetings, was released.

Released just as the Internet was beginning to become popular, Bob offered an email client with which a user could subscribe to [[MCI Mail]], a dial-up email account. The price was $5.00 per month to send up to 15 emails. Each email was limited to 5,000 characters, and each additional email after the limit was reached was an additional 45 cents. Customers were required to call a [[toll-free phone number]] to set up the account.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://technologizer.com/2010/03/29/a-guided-tour-of-microsoft-bob/6/ | title=A Guided Tour of Microsoft Bob | publisher=Technologizer, Inc | work=Technologizer | date=29 March 2010 | access-date=8 April 2011 | last=McCracken | first=Harry}}</ref>

Bob features "Assistants", cartoon characters intended to help the user navigate the virtual house or perform tasks in the main interface or within the built-in applications.

==Gateway 2000 edition==
A special [[Gateway 2000]]-branded edition of Microsoft Bob 1.00a was bundled with the Gateway 2000 computer around 1995. This edition contains Gateway branding on the login screen along with additional rooms and backgrounds not seen in the retail version. One additional room is the attic, which contains the image of a Gateway 2000 computer box. In addition to the extra rooms, more icons appear by default in the new rooms.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url=http://www.danielsays.com/ms-bob-06-bob-home.html | title=The "Bob Home" | work=DanielSays.com | access-date=5 May 2012 | last=Rose | first=Daniel | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210171337/http://www.danielsays.com/ms-bob-06-bob-home.html | archive-date=10 December 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
Although a [[Consumer Electronics Show]] demonstration was met with generally positive reactions,<ref name=chronicles/> reviewers generally derided the software, and Microsoft Bob became one of Microsoft's more visible product failures.<ref name=win-conf>{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2008.07.windowsconfidential.aspx | title=Windows Confidential: History Taking Up Space | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=[[TechNet Magazine]] | date=July 2008 | access-date=2013-06-15 | first=Raymond | last=Chen}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' found the characters irritating and the home design apparently the work of an "esthetically challenged sixth-grader," criticized the hardware requirements and storage file formats and concluded that the program was not as simple to use as Microsoft had advertised.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/17/science/personal-computers-bob-your-new-best-friend-s-personality-quirks.html|title=Bob: Your New Best Friend's Personality Quirks|last=Manes|first=Stephen|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1995-01-17|access-date=2021-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503061251/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/17/science/personal-computers-bob-your-new-best-friend-s-personality-quirks.html|archive-date=2017-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' called the home environment "sterile" and "lifeless," wrote that the characters' cuteness wore thin quickly and criticized the scarce customization and access to Windows components.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1995/01/30/the-two-faces-of-microsoft-bob/a3e7e2dc-d26c-47ee-8709-d947d57d40b6/|title=The Two Faces of Microsoft Bob|last=Casey|first=William|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=1995-01-30|access-date=2021-09-13}}</ref> According to [[PC Data]], the real sales from Bob's release until its discontinuation amounted to about 58,000 copies—far short of Microsoft's estimate that it would sell millions as had [[Microsoft Works]] and ''[[Encarta]]''.<ref name=chronicles/> Despite being discontinued just one year after launch, Microsoft Bob continued to be sharply criticized in reviews and popular media.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1636333,00.asp | title=The Bottom 10: Worst Software Disasters | publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] | work=[[PC World]] | date=16 August 2004 | access-date=2007-09-21 | last=Dvorak | first=John C.}}</ref> In 2017, Melinda Gates acknowledged that the software "needed a more powerful computer than most people had back then."<ref name=":1" />

Microsoft Bob was listed seventh in ''[[PC World]]'' magazine's list of the 25 worst tech products of all time<ref name="pc25">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/125772/worst_products_ever.html | title=The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time | publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] | work=[[PC World]] | date=26 March 2006 | access-date=2024-06-07 | last=Tynan | first=Dan}}</ref> and as the number-one worst product of the decade by [[CNET.com]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cnettv.com/9710-1_53-25029.html?tag=cnetfd.mt | title=CNET Top 5: Worst products in a decade | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[CNET]] | date=30 April 2007 | access-date=2007-09-21 | last=Merritt | first=Tom}}</ref> It was also listed among the 50 worst inventions in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, which called Bob "overly cutesy" and an "operating system designed around [[Office Assistant|Clippy]]."<ref name="time">{{cite news | url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1991915_1991909_1991855,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530052234/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1991915_1991909_1991855,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 30, 2010 | title=The 50 Worst Inventions | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=27 May 2010 | access-date=2014-07-16 | first=Dan | last=Fletcher}}</ref> Microsoft's [[Steve Ballmer]] mentioned Bob as an example in which "we decided that we have not succeeded and let's stop [now]."<ref>{{cite news|first=Stacy |last=Cowley |title=Ballmer Analyzes Microsoft's 'One Big' Vista Mistake |url=http://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/191600739/ballmer-analyzes-microsofts-one-big-vista-mistake.htm |work=[[CRN Magazine]] |publisher=The Channel Company |date=31 July 2006 |access-date=2006-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183532/http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/dailyarchives.jhtml%3Bjsessionid%3DZEQ0I0LMYJC1MQSNDLPCKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleId=191600739 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Microsoft employee [[Raymond Chen (Microsoft)|Raymond Chen]] disclosed that an encrypted copy of Bob was included on [[Windows XP]] installation CDs in order to consume space to prevent piracy.<ref name=win-conf /> It was thought that by consuming an additional 30 megabytes on the disc (in the era of [[Dial-up Internet access|dial-up internet access]]), users with 56&nbsp;kbit/s [[modem]]s would be dissuaded from attempting to download the software illegally.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Archiveddocs|title=Raymond Chen discusses Microsoft Bob|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/technet-magazine/cc565089(v=msdn.10)|access-date=2021-01-20|website=docs.microsoft.com|date=September 8, 2016 |language=en-us}}</ref> Retired Microsoft engineer [[David Plummer (programmer)|David Plummer]] has identified himself as the employee responsible for the encrypted copy. The installer routine would check for the "blob of Bob" and if an "[[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] blob" was detected, only an OEM product key would be accepted.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Speed|first=Richard|title=Retired engineer confesses to role in sliding Microsoft Bob onto millions of XP install CDs|url=https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/25/xp_bob/|access-date=2021-01-20|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=David|first=Plummer|date=2020-11-24|title=04.Secret History of Microsoft Bob - by Retired Microsoft Engineer Davepl|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXHu9OmLd8Y| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/rXHu9OmLd8Y| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|access-date=|website=Dave's Garage - YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Tech journalist [[Harry McCracken]] called the story "a delightfully urban legend-y tale" and noted its similarities to an [[April Fools' Day]] joke claiming that Bob was hidden in [[Windows Vista]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://technologizer.com/2010/03/29/windows-xp-a-free-copy-of-bob-in-every-box/ | title=Windows XP: A Free Copy of Bob in Every Box? | publisher=Technologizer, Inc | work=Technologizer | date=29 March 2010 | access-date=2013-06-15 | first=Harry | last=McCracken}}</ref>

The use of virtual assistants in Microsoft Bob later inspired Clippit, colloquially called "Clippy" the paperclip, the default [[Office Assistant]] in [[Microsoft Office]]. Rover, the dog mascot character introduced with Bob, became a "search companion" for Windows XP's file-search function.<ref>LGR: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkU4WWEUj-Y&ab The Microsoft Bob Experience: Was It Really THAT Bad?], YouTube, 26 January 2018</ref>

Microsoft graphic designer [[Vincent Connare]] designed the typeface [[Comic Sans]] when he noticed that Rover's speech was displayed in [[Times New Roman]], which he felt was inappropriate for a cartoon dog. Although Connare's font did not appear in the final release of Microsoft Bob because its characters did not fit within any of the typographical grids, it later debuted in Microsoft's [[3D Movie Maker]] and became an additional typeface for [[Windows 95]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-11582548.amp|title=What's so wrong with Comic Sans?|work=[[BBC News]]|date=2010-10-20|access-date=2021-09-13}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Skeuomorph]]
* [[Orphaned technology]]
* [[Packard Bell Navigator]]
* [[eWorld]]
* [[Magic Cap]]
* [[Interface metaphor]]

'''Microsoft'''

* [[Microsoft Agent]]
* [[Cortana (virtual assistant)|Cortana]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Microsoft Bob.ogg|date=2012-09-20}}
* [http://www.bentuser.com/article.aspx?ID=327 Microsoft Bob Review]
* [http://www.telecommander.com/pics/links/application%20software/microsoft/Microsoft_Bob_1_0/Microsoft_Bob_1_0.htm Information about Microsoft Bob version 1.0 for Windows]
* [http://toastytech.com/guis/bob.html The GUI Gallery: Microsoft Bob]' Examining Bob in the context of other graphical user interfaces
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070303030954/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/103006-bob.html A short computing history (story and slideshow) of Bobs from Microsoft Bob to Bob Metcalfe to Alice & Bob.]
* [http://www.winhistory.de/more/bob.htm A more in-depth article about Microsoft Bob] {{in lang|de}}
* {{YouTube|ZegWedG-jk4|Video of the Microsoft Bob in action}}
* {{YouTube|rXHu9OmLd8Y|Video: Secret History of Microsoft Bob, by Dave Plummer (an ex OS engineer from Microsoft)}}

{{Microsoft}}
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[[Category:Discontinued Microsoft software|Bob]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1995]]
[[Category:1995 software]]
[[Category:Object-oriented operating systems]]
[[Category:3D GUIs]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 1996]]