Microsoft – A Technology Company That Has Changed the Way People Work, Play and Communicate
Microsoft is a technology company that has influenced the way people work, play and communicate in ways that have changed the world. Its software, from operating systems to productivity apps, has helped power computers and mobile devices around the globe. Its hardware, including the Xbox gaming console and its gaming subscription service, has positioned it as a major player in the video game industry. And its online services, including Bing search and LinkedIn professional network, help companies connect with customers and job seekers.
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, two boyhood friends from Seattle. They converted BASIC, a mainframe computer programming language, for use on an early personal computer called the Altair. The name Microsoft comes from the combination of the words microcomputer and software, a reflection of their vision to create user-friendly computing tools for the masses.
As Microsoft expanded its operations, the company grew into a global technology giant that became the dominant force in the computer industry. Its rise, however, spawned resentment and jealousy among competitors and led to charges that its business practices stifled competition and technical innovation. The U.S. Justice Department settled a dispute with Microsoft in 1994, and the company modified its sales practices to avoid antitrust allegations.
Since then, Microsoft has expanded its presence in the media and entertainment markets, with offerings such as the Xbox gaming console, Bing search engine and the Office suite of productivity applications. The company also owns the Surface line of tablet computers and produces Windows, the world’s most popular operating system.
The company has also diversified into the health care and education industries, with offerings such as the Kinect sensor and Azure cloud platform. In the corporate social responsibility arena, Microsoft has taken a stand on many issues, from the environment to diversity and inclusion. For example, it has committed to being carbon negative by 2030 by removing more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than it emits.
Regardless of what products and services they offer, Microsoft’s enduring legacy is the impact that its software has had on the world. The ease of use and robustness of its operating systems have enabled millions of people to connect to the Internet and conduct business on their computers. Its GUI (graphical user interface), which debuted with Windows 95, has become familiar to billions of users around the globe. Its development during the dot-com boom facilitated the growth of the World Wide Web and connected millions of people to information for the first time. Its impact on society will continue to be felt for decades.