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August 20, 2005
A (Pre) Microsoft Story
Back in the days BM (Before Microsoft), I worked for a small company in Seattle called International Entry Systems, Inc, or IESI. They manufactured Z-80 based data entry terminals that were, basically, a single line display, a keyboard and a data cassette recorder. All software was loaded from tape. (This was 1980, after all.)
One of the software packages they had available was a copy of Microsoft Basic. I won't go into the machinations you might go through to have a working Basic interpreter that uses a single line (40 character line, at that) display and a single cassette deck for all storage, but they did. It was in place, though underutilized, when I showed up.
Over time it became my task to extend it with some device specific additions to the Basic programming language. We had the source code of course, so I dove headlong into understanding how 8-bit Microsoft Basic worked, and I successfully added access to the communications ports on the data entry terminal. Customers writing in Basic could actually write simple terminal emulation programs and other nifty things.
However, what I came to eventually find out was that IESI had not acquired Microsoft Basic by normal (read 'legal') means. In fact, one of my predecessors in the company had reverse-engineered it ... meaning that he had taken a copy of Microsoft Basic on some other 8-bit machine, and reconstructed the source code for that, and then begun modifying it to customize it for IESI's needs.
Fortunately for me (and probably for all concerned), the legalities had been addressed, and the licensing approved before I arrived.
Fast forward two or three years to when I'm interviewing at Microsoft. Certainly a respectable knowledge of the workings of their own product was perhaps a small part of my getting hired. So when I got the offer and accepted it, I was then offered three possible positions. It kinda went like this:
We've got this position working on Basic, this other position working on Basic, and this position working on Microsoft Cobol.
Cool! I'd like that position working on Basic, please.
Well, we'd kinda sorta like to get you over on Cobol if you don't mind.
Well, how about that other position working on Basic?
Yes. Well. Ahem. You see, we'd really like to have you join our Cobol team.
OK, then. Who am I to argue? Cobol it is!
Cobol turned out to be the right fit ... I had a great time there, and made some great friends.
But the story's not over. You see, that guy who illegally reverse-engineered Microsoft Basic for IESI? He left that company just shortly before I arrived. He found himself a new job.
For Microsoft.
Working on Basic.
Posted by Leo at 07:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 19, 2005
Finished: Crossroads of Twilight (Wheel of Time, Book 10)
The Amazon reviews are scathing. I can understand. I started the series when I expected only 10 installments. There's going to be more? Yikes. But I do think I need to see how the story ends.
Sigh.
Finishing 10 implies that I finished this one earlier:
(Aside: rather than try to keep this previous post updated, I'll just blog individual books as I finish 'em. Easier, and better track record on the timeline. As if anyone cares.)
Posted by Leo at 04:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 10, 2005
The Questions You Didn't See
A sampling of some of the funny, odd or not-so-technical questions I've received in the last year on Ask Leo!. All questions are complete and unedited - this is exactly the way I get 'em, folks.
The "answers" here are what I wish I could reply with. (I typically do not respond to these types of questions at all.)
I have a 14' v shape boat. It has a crack in the front, along the seam in the middle. Would HTS 2000 brazing work or is there something else that i should be using?
Two words: Duct Tape (Hey, you ask a computer guy about boat repair, you get what you get, ok?)
If you commit a crime in one state and it is illegal to plea insanity then can you move the trial to another state that the insanity plea is legal?
It's never worked for me.
I am stuck! I love this boy who I'm going out with yet this other boy has recently been askin me to dump my lad just for him! Plz help im stuk in a rut!
Yes, you apparently are.
Your sexy
My sexy what?
What is sex?
With luck, you'll find out when you're older. Then again... perhaps not.
can you please forget the password of the my mail
OK, done
How far are you from the earth
That depends entirely on my medication level.
What towering tourist attraction actually shrinks six inches in the winter?
Sorry, this is a PG rated site.
why am i so loneley
Spelling. It's all about the spelling. Well, that and spending all your time posting on random web sites.
what are the elgin marbles made out of?
Something I'm sure Mr. Elgin misses very much.
How many skateparks are there in wisconisn?
I was under the impression that during the winter, at least, Wisconson was a skatepark.
How long does opiate pain meds stay in the body?
Never long enough... never long enough.
Is it possible for a human to be psycghic?
Yes, with enough psycghotherapy.
this website is boring and theres to much writing!
I know, I know. Reading's hard, isn't it? Go shopping instead, ok?
please could you send me a password
Sure. Here ya go: whn34nt7
how do my email out of a sit
Take your laptop into the bathroom with you.
What is Jewelry?
Punishment, ransom or bail, depending on the situation.
HOW ARE YOU?
Just peachy, thank you.
Can you tell me if there is life in space
Sure.
r u gay
I answered this question last year. Nothing's changed; still playing on the same team.
Posted by Leo at 06:10 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack