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Mary-Jo Foley
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Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?

By | April 8, 2011, 4:33am PDT

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

1. Who at Microsoft made this infamous statement: "Linux is a cancer."

The correct answer is… »

More from “All About Microsoft”

Topics

Correct, Id, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows, Team Management, Operating Systems, Software, Management, Andy Smith

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

Disclosure

Mary-Jo Foley

Freelance journalist/blogger Mary Jo Foley has nothing to disclose. WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). I do not own Microsoft stock or stock in any of its partners or competitors. I have no business ventures that are sponsored by/funded by Microsoft or any of its partners or competitors.

Biography

Mary-Jo Foley

Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 25 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNet, eWeek and Baseline. She has kept close tabs on Microsoft strategy, products and technologies for the past 10 years. In the late 1990s, she penned the award-winning "At The Evil Empire" column for ZDNet, and more recently the Microsoft Watch blog for Ziff Davis.

Got a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.

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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
dsfwrryd4101-24353678324541271121611409328105 10th Nov
ejuyrv,good post!
View in thread
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Cylon Centurion 8th Apr 2011
7-9. HATED Bob. But there was nothing wrong with Vista at all. Once I upgraded it was hard to use XP at all anymore.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Bill4 8th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005 I foolishly broke my rule about never being and early adopter and jumped into Vista with both feet. This lead to a really horrible experience that wasn't corrected until an update from Intel (for my Vista approved mobo) and an AV that didn't make the system reboot every twenty minutes. (the junky AV was also "approved") Now I'm delighted with Vista and can't imagine why anyone thinks I would want to move to 7. Besides which, I have a TV tuner that works great in Vista and isn't supported under 7.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Cylon Centurion 8th Apr 2011
@Bill4

Still dual boot Vista here myself. BF2 won't run on my x64 Win7. sad
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
D2 Ultima 8th Apr 2011
@Bill4
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.
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I love Win 7, but I never hated Vista...
Wolfie2K3 8th Apr 2011
@D2 Ultima
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.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Mike (not Cox) 11th Apr 2011
@Bill4 The only problem I ever had with Vista was a bad Nvidia driver (I remember reading that 30% of Vista crashes were related to faulty Nvidia drivers). Other than that, booting and shutting down was a bit on the slow side (no longer an issue in Windows 7.)
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
termopane 13th Oct
@Bill4 Time passed and definetly wotks better in 7 then in Vista.
Plase Insecte
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
itguy08 8th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005

Once I upgraded away from Windows it is painful to use any windows technology. It is just horrible technology any way you put it.
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Of course! What else would YOU have said?
Will Farrell 8th Apr 2011
@itguy08

Just more BS from you. I think you're a nothing but a pathological liar!!
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Cylon Centurion 8th Apr 2011
@itguy08

*yawns*
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
shaunakbasu Updated - 8th Apr 2011
@itguy08
Although I love Linux (actually my laptop is dual boot).. but just think about it... where would the PC penetration be without Microsoft Windows... and where would YOU be (if you are someone earning his /her bread and butter from IT)...? Just think about it... You can't deny the fact that Microsoft has made Computers a household name thanks to their licencing norms (you don't need to buy hardware from us) and to their unimaginably superior help system than *X. In Linux / Unix etc... if a normal user tries to get help... he will only think WHY OH WHY Did I try... And remember they are the 99% of users who BUY technology and USE technology.
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Left Windows, for the most part, in 1999.
richdave 9th Apr 2011
@itguy08

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...!!!
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I hear that alot
voska1 11th Apr 2011
@itguy08

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.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Rick_K 11th Apr 2011
@Will Farrell
Just more BS from you. I think you're a nothing but a pathological liar!!

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?
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
JonathanTrott 15th Aug
Now I'm delighted with Vista and can't imagine why anyone thinks I would want to move to 7. Besides which, I have a TV tuner that works great in Vista and isn't supported under 7. Dissertations
Theses
Book Reports
Admission Essay Writing
Essay Writing
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Karston1234 12th Sep
How well do you think you really know Microsoft? Take our quick quiz and match your wits against other Microsoft watchers. Online University
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
stuxstu 8th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005

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...
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
shaunakbasu 8th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005
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!)....
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Cylon Centurion 8th Apr 2011
@shaunakbasu

I upgraded because it was free for me. Being a student has its perks. happy
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
judimax007@... Updated - 8th Apr 2011
@shaunakbasu you and me both ...you know I loved outlook
is that dumb or what... And my old office 2003 I have it on one of my Lap tops but I can get it on my new ones they all want the new one sorry I have spent enough money during the past 20 years no more my older lap top really better or shall I say more fun but yes a little slower. But back in the day to me computer's were more fun and exciting and I swear the search engines were a lot better I found much more interesting things in fact you can not always get the imfo that I know was there so where is it now????? Oh I got 7 surprised me and I love Firefox have for years. Internet Explorer is just too slow.
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the only missing quiz
Linux Geek 8th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005
when will M$ go out of business and have all our pains resolved by Linux?
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LMAO!
SonofaSailor 8th Apr 2011
@Linux Geek

How could something as big of a PITA as LInux resolve any pain? I guess if somebody is numb from pulling all their hair out because they re-compile everytime they turn around, then yeah, they probably can't feel much past that.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Eddy-ICUR12 10th Apr 2011
@Linux Geek
When they dumb Linux down. But you won't like it dumbed down!
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Scored 7, but . . .
smiley97111 9th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005
Don't remember Bob because I was still using IBM's OS/2 Warp4 at that time. I'll grant you that Vista wasn't QUITE infamous fiasco of WinME, but I still content it spelled the beginning of the end of the evil empire.

http://my.opera.com/PMAco/blog/win-linux-mac-choice

Smiley
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
pmulcahy@... Updated - 10th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005
I have Vista on my desktop machine because it came with the computer. I have Win 7 on my laptop because it came with the computer. But, other than flaky drivers for an ATI video card I put in at the beginning on the Vista machine (replaced quickly by an nVidia card), they've both been stellar performers. I have no problems with either OS -- and quite frankly, my Vista desktop performs a lot better than my Win 7 laptop.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
mekmar 8th Apr 2011
I agree with Cylon Centurion... VIsta wasn't that bad (far from good either). Scored 7-9, use Ubuntu, sometimes Google Docs, Firefox, etc... Schisophraenia ?
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Ne.Obliviscaris 8th Apr 2011
10 and no Steve B portrait.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
IAmLegion20ll 8th Apr 2011
@Ne.Obliviscaris

I scored a 10, and i do have a portrait on Steve B on my wall; above my bed too, so i can lay in bed and look at him in the dark. and we have happy time.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Loverock Davidson 8th Apr 2011
I know them pretty well apparently.
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Message has been deleted.
fairportfan Updated - 8th Apr 2011
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
914four 8th Apr 2011
@Loverock Davidson

If anyone would ace this test I would expect it to be you Lovey. I, I'm afraid, did not do so well, but I admit I've sort of lost interest in the last few years.
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Message has been deleted.
Lovedork Dickinson Updated - 10th Apr 2011
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Cybersalmmer!!
Will Farrell Updated - 8th Apr 2011
@Lovedork Dickinson

Looks like our resident Multiple Personality Dissorder poster child is here!
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Hey does ZDnet, Engadget, or gizmodo offer website classes?
SonofaSailor 8th Apr 2011
@Lovedork Dickinson

Because "lovedork" aka Cyberslammer, aka 1000 other names needs immediate help with his stupid FUGLY blog.

Hey Cyberslammer, your blog is proof positive that unless Steve Jobs tells you what to do and how to think, you and the CRapple fanbois can't do anything on your own.
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Awww, look, it's the idiot with too many names to mention!
SonofaSailor Updated - 8th Apr 2011
@cyber, RonB, IamLoser

I was hoping you'd be polishing up that FUGLY blog site of yours, than wasting your time here.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Loverock Davidson 8th Apr 2011
@SonofaSailor
LOL. He's a wannabe Maddox with that site. I've seen better mocks of my name, the one he used this time just screams of desperation.
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Lovedork Dickinson
klumper 9th Apr 2011
gets a solid 9.0, in light of the corresponding comment.

Rubberduck Rabidson still tops it with a 10.0 however. wink
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I got 1 right by accident
catseverywhere@... 8th Apr 2011
minus the couple of 'gimmes' in there. I guessed the "flying screaming monkeys." I know Ballmer made the disparaging remark but pinned it on Billy, and it was downhill from there.

But I do NOT use ubuntu, please! Debian, fedora, Mandriva, Slax, yes...
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You beat me
klumper 9th Apr 2011
@catseverywhere@...
I got 1 right by accident

Congrats.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
cawwilsontx@... 8th Apr 2011
7-9: (got the bonus & counted that)
You liked Microsoft Bob and thought Vista was great.
No, I liked Windows 2 and thought Vista sucked. Who's Bob?
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Thank goodness for Linux
mikellbne 8th Apr 2011
I have been dealing with MicroSloth since DOS when MS was the least effective of all the DOS systems. I watched them steal from every other source and, because of the connection with IBM, use every illegal business method to drive competitors out of business. Without their illegal practices there would have been better OS's around that cost much less. Thank goodness for Linux!
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
chuckleberry 8th Apr 2011
@mikellbne

Amen brother !
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So you just used this blog to b*tch and moan?
Will Farrell 8th Apr 2011
@mikellbne

So you want to be a fiction writer? you're off to a great start with this reply!!!
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Cylon Centurion 8th Apr 2011
@mikellbne

Are you still stuck in the 90's?
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Viper589 8th Apr 2011
@Cylon Centurion 0005

yo wrong thread to reply to but i have BF2 running just fine on windows 7 Ultimate x64... :P
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Cylon Centurion 8th Apr 2011
Knix96

Really? How? I tried installing it and I was told the game is incompatible with x64 versions of Windows.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
shaunakbasu 8th Apr 2011
Well I scored 2 or may be 3... and still think Windows Vista rocks and so does Windows 98 SE... I don't really need to know WTF is cooking up in M$'s mind... I just need an OS that does what I want... And since I am not a system level programmer.. I don't have the time or expertise to compile every bit of driver I need.... Howz that???
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Windoze 2000
janitorman 8th Apr 2011
@shaunakbasu Windows 2000 was the best, most useable, and most stable of all of them. I still use my 2k machine. As with all releases of ANY OS, I had to tweak it to run right though. Noticeably missing was msconfig!
I hated XP, because it was missing the "3 pane" explorer view. All those stupid shortcuts on the left OR having to hit the "folder" button to get explorer to show the file tree, hated that.
Vista, did suck, Just like ME. They release these things TOO QUICKLY to RTM. They should wait 5 to 10 years between releases. Alternatively, just keep selling the old ones for those who want them. Problem is, the damn hardware keeps changing! I have a 7 laptop, damn thing bluescreened repeatedly within a month. I had to tweak it. MS is NOT "idiot" ready right out of the box. Might as well run Linux if you're a techy, and get a mac if you're a typical user!
I scored a zero, by the way.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Cylon Centurion 8th Apr 2011
@janitorman

Scored a 0? No wonder you have the name you do.

MS can't do 5 year release cycles, looked what happened with XP when Vista was released 5 years later. It creates a mess of a situation. 2 years is acceptable. It prevents stagnation.
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
Viper589 8th Apr 2011
@cylon

ihave the ggame frrome eadm dl and installs fine its the complete edition from ea store
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RE: Quiz: How well do you know your Microsoft Empire?
dsfwrryd4101-24353678324541271121611409328105 10th Nov
ejuyrv,good post!

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