Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Summary: Microsoft just turned 36 years old (as of April 5). That's a long time, in tech years. A lot has happened to the company, its customers, its partners and its competitors over those three-plus decades. Test yourself to see how well you know Microsoft.
Microsoft just turned 36 years old (as of April 5). That's a long time, in tech years. A lot has happened to the company, its customers, its partners and its competitors over those three-plus decades.
How well do you think you really know Microsoft? Take our quick quiz and match your wits against other Microsoft watchers.
Instructions: Click on your answer and then see how many others agree with you. Then click to see the answer and the next question.
[poll id="43"]
Who at Microsoft made this infamous statement: "Linux is a cancer."
Answer is B. CEO Steve Ballmer said it in 2002.
[poll id="47"] What was the estimated percentage of Windows users still running Windows XP in October 2010, ten years after the product debuted? Answer is D. Net Applications said in October 2010 the percentage was 60. Data cited by Mozilla early this year claimed the number to be 55 percent, citing Netmarketshare as the source. [poll id="45"] Which is the worst Microsoft product/technology name in history? Answer is ?. They're all pretty bad. The answer that is ahead in the poll results is the correct one. [poll id="45"] Looks like the answer is A. Next question: [poll id="46"] Microsoft codename 'Florida' is: Answer is B. Intune. Though the codename of Intune's successor, System Center Online Desktop Manager was "Jupiter." It changed to Florida last year [poll id="44"] Which of these execs are still listed by Microsoft as one of their Senior Leaders? Answer is: C. OEM chief Steve Guggenheimer and Windows President Steven Sinofsky [poll id="48"] In Microsoft circles, what does it mean to "take the red pill"? Answer is A. Accepting a MS job offer is taking the red pill. However, MS folks also are using the "RP" words to describe the way the Win 8 team is locking down internal builds. Some features in internal builds are only accessible to those logging in with certain invite codes from campus locations -- a way the team is trying to control leaks. See: Windows 8: Beta collectors waiting with bated breath for a leak. [poll id="49"] When is Windows 8 most likely to RTM? Answer is B. Q 3 2012 We're all still just hypothesizing, given Microsoft officials still won't even say publicly that the codename of Windows Next is Windows 8. Windows 8 may or may not be the final name. But the smart money right now is on Q3 2012 as the likely, unpadded timeframe for RTM, which would allow MS and partners to ship new Win 8 PCs in time for holiday 2012. More info: Windows 8 roadmap: A picture is worth a thousand build numbers. [poll id="50"] Before Microsoft settled on "Bing" as its search engine name, company execs contemplated a number of possibilities. Which of these names was not in the final round of candidates? Answer is D. Sift Microsoft did trademark "Sift," but it supposedly wasn't among the finalists for the name for the company's "decision engine." [poll id="51"] Different teams at Microsoft love their mascots. The SharePoint team had a rather unique one. It was: Answer is A. The flying screaming monkey. See: SharePoint: The team that makes the donut(s). The tutu-wearing bear was Windows -- under Brian Valentine. See: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/neilhut/archive/2008/02/27/windows-server-2008-launch-with-iain-mcdonald.aspx. [poll id="52"] Does Microsoft have one more 'Zune' device up its sleeve? You are correct. We don't know and Microsoft's answer when asked about this is completely convoluted and vague. There have been rumors of a Zune HD2, but Microsoft also is believed to be killing the Zune brand this year. So it's pretty much anyone's guess at this point. There's no wrong answer. [poll id="53"] Bonus round: Which of the following categories has Microsoft NOT used as a codename theme? Answer is C. flower names. Though I think "System Center Dahlia" has a nice ring to it.... Correct answers 10: Steve Ballmer's portrait hangs in your living room. 7-9: You liked Microsoft Bob and thought Vista was great. 4-6: You're trying out IE 9. 1-3: You use Ubuntu desktop, Google Apps, Firefox, and Playstation 3. 0: You think Microsoft's only product is Xbox. Thanks for playing! Related stories
Who at Microsoft made this infamous statement: "Linux is a cancer."
Answer is B. CEO Steve Ballmer said it in 2002. [poll id="47"] What was the estimated percentage of Windows users still running Windows XP in October 2010, ten years after the product debuted? Answer is D. Net Applications said in October 2010 the percentage was 60. Data cited by Mozilla early this year claimed the number to be 55 percent, citing Netmarketshare as the source. [poll id="45"] Which is the worst Microsoft product/technology name in history? Answer is ?. They're all pretty bad. The answer that is ahead in the poll results is the correct one. [poll id="45"] Looks like the answer is A. Next question: [poll id="46"] Microsoft codename 'Florida' is: Answer is B. Intune. Though the codename of Intune's successor, System Center Online Desktop Manager was "Jupiter." It changed to Florida last year [poll id="44"] Which of these execs are still listed by Microsoft as one of their Senior Leaders? Answer is: C. OEM chief Steve Guggenheimer and Windows President Steven Sinofsky [poll id="48"] In Microsoft circles, what does it mean to "take the red pill"? Answer is A. Accepting a MS job offer is taking the red pill. However, MS folks also are using the "RP" words to describe the way the Win 8 team is locking down internal builds. Some features in internal builds are only accessible to those logging in with certain invite codes from campus locations -- a way the team is trying to control leaks. See: Windows 8: Beta collectors waiting with bated breath for a leak. [poll id="49"] When is Windows 8 most likely to RTM? Answer is B. Q 3 2012 We're all still just hypothesizing, given Microsoft officials still won't even say publicly that the codename of Windows Next is Windows 8. Windows 8 may or may not be the final name. But the smart money right now is on Q3 2012 as the likely, unpadded timeframe for RTM, which would allow MS and partners to ship new Win 8 PCs in time for holiday 2012. More info: Windows 8 roadmap: A picture is worth a thousand build numbers. [poll id="50"] Before Microsoft settled on "Bing" as its search engine name, company execs contemplated a number of possibilities. Which of these names was not in the final round of candidates? Answer is D. Sift Microsoft did trademark "Sift," but it supposedly wasn't among the finalists for the name for the company's "decision engine." [poll id="51"] Different teams at Microsoft love their mascots. The SharePoint team had a rather unique one. It was: Answer is A. The flying screaming monkey. See: SharePoint: The team that makes the donut(s). The tutu-wearing bear was Windows -- under Brian Valentine. See: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/neilhut/archive/2008/02/27/windows-server-2008-launch-with-iain-mcdonald.aspx. [poll id="52"] Does Microsoft have one more 'Zune' device up its sleeve? You are correct. We don't know and Microsoft's answer when asked about this is completely convoluted and vague. There have been rumors of a Zune HD2, but Microsoft also is believed to be killing the Zune brand this year. So it's pretty much anyone's guess at this point. There's no wrong answer. [poll id="53"] Bonus round: Which of the following categories has Microsoft NOT used as a codename theme? Answer is C. flower names. Though I think "System Center Dahlia" has a nice ring to it.... Correct answers 10: Steve Ballmer's portrait hangs in your living room. 7-9: You liked Microsoft Bob and thought Vista was great. 4-6: You're trying out IE 9. 1-3: You use Ubuntu desktop, Google Apps, Firefox, and Playstation 3. 0: You think Microsoft's only product is Xbox. Thanks for playing! Related stories
- Forget June: Microsoft already pushing IE9 via Windows Update
- Microsoft's Windows 8 and the 'I' word (Immersive)
- Code name tracker: Give Microsoft's regards to codename 'Broadway'
- Microsoft vs. Google: Dueling monopolist banjos
- Windows 8: Beta collectors waiting with bated breath for a leak
- Microsoft's Office 365: A guide to the coming plans and prices
- Do disappearing Microsoft executive bios equal demotions?
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Talkback
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Still dual boot Vista here myself. BF2 won't run on my x64 Win7. :(
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
I actually had a LONG list of reasons why Vista had better features than Win 7. Because everybody that breathes thought my laptop was using Win 7 with a Vista transformation pack. When I tell them it's actually Vista, and that I WANT it to be Vista, they all give me funny looks and ask me why I'm using the bug-filled piece of crap.
Vista is one of those things that people tried for 5 secs, hated from the start (when it wasn't even MS's FAULT really that they had issues; driver makers were being LAZY) and refuse to understand that with the exception of a couple bumbles from MS (like the USB Plug-'n-Play device connection bug, which *I* know how to fix but MS' website does NOT), Vista is fantastic, and any fresh install of it will do fine. I recommend Win 7 to people who either aren't very computer literate OR aren't going to do many advanced fiascoes on their PC. Because these people are fine with a dumbed down, made-for-users-with-an-IQ-of-20 interface.
....
Sorry I tend to rant at it. It annoys me how much people love 7 and hate Vista. Especially since they're both NEARLY THE SAME.
I love Win 7, but I never hated Vista...
I took part in the beta/RC cycles for both Vista and 7 and you're right. Windows 7 is a LOT like Vista - Similar structure under the hood. But I like 7 better because it, for me, is faster on the same hardware. Ditto to XP, Windows 7 is faster than XP as well.
From my perspective, the RC for Vista didn't have much in the way of bugs - it worked fine for me. But there were a few issues - speed being the biggest issue in my book - and those were resolved for the most part with SP1.
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Once I upgraded away from Windows it is painful to use any windows technology. It is just horrible technology any way you put it.
Of course! What else would YOU have said?
Just more BS from you. I think you're a nothing but a pathological liar!!
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
*yawns*
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Left Windows, for the most part, in 1999.
Nothing against Windows, or Apple for that matter, it's just that neither of them really worked for me. Probably a partial explanation why I only got 6 right answers. After nailing the first 3, I thought I was going to do really well. Oh well...!!!
I hear that alot
I know a ton of people that migrated to Apple for their desktops. What you say is exactly the tune they sing.
Now me, I just can't justify the price. A little pain is worth the savings.
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
<i>Just more BS from you. I think you're a nothing but a pathological liar!!</i>
Why because the poster does not share your love for al things Microsoft? Or are you just fulfilling your NBM obligations; to disparage anyone that likes something else?
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Outside of work I skipped XP entirely at home. W2k to Vista. I've owned every version of Windows 2 - 7, except XP. I actually didn't really like XP. Vista was a resource hog, but I found it generally stable.
I am a bit bothered that I got 8 correct answers. My portrait of Steve might have to be removed now....
Bob was horrible...
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Ditto here... Then I upgraded to Win7... still searching for the answer why the hell I upgraded from Vista to 7... (May be I had some spare cash and needed to waste it!)....
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
I upgraded because it was free for me. Being a student has its perks. :)
RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?