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Topic: Microsoft

Dinosaur Sighting: Microsoft Bob

Summary: Here's a look at one of the worst programs of all times: Microsoft Bob

John Sheesley

By John Sheesley |

 |  Image 60 of 91

You can change Program Guides if you don't like Rover. Bob Program Guides laid the ground work for Search Assistants in Windows XP and Office Assistants in Office 9 - Office 2003.

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Topics: Microsoft, Windows

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11 comments
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  • Idea for video game

    I have sometimes envisioned a video game which would be a first person shooter, and the targets would be the various office assistants. Lots and lots of blood, too.
    LadyGray
    Reply Vote

  • Wow.

    Can't imagine why anybody would hate THAT interface.
    doodlius
    Reply Vote

  • RE: (Dinosaur Sighting: Microsoft Bob)

    Let's not forget one thing that survived Bob - One Microsoft Program Manager known then as Melinda French, or as she is now known - Melinda Gates.
    T.B.M.
    Reply Vote

  • Interesting.

    The fortitude of the bloggers here is truelly astonishing. To sit there and actually capture all those screen shots would test the resolve of even the finest of vulcans.
    :|
    Tim Cook
    Reply Vote

  • I don't recall

    A similar ZDNet article on July 24th...

    The 25th anniversary of the Amiga.
    hiraghm@...
    Reply Vote

  • oops

    I linked here from the photogallery of the 10th anniversary of Windows 95.... typed in wrong tab.

    Nothing to see here... move along...
    hiraghm@...
    Reply Vote

  • The "Bob" smiley still lives

    Random junk: If you have MSN Messenger, check out the Nerd smiley. Yup. It's Bob.
    ZStoner
    Reply Vote

  • Where's the Zealot defending Bob?

    Earth to Zealot?
    GoPower
    Reply Vote

  • Another oops...

    Yes, Microsoft Bott was/is ' Microsoft's ill-fated attempt to make computers easier to use' (example:'The unofficial guide to...' 'Microsoft adds...', etc).

    Oops... it WAS Microsoft Bob.
    Marco nn
    Reply Vote

  • RE: (Dinosaur Sighting: Microsoft Bob)

    In fact I can not remember this thing. I am wonder<a href="http://findsurebet.com/betting-calculator.html" rel="dofollow">i</a>ng what was the worst programm<a href="http://findsurebet.com/forum.html" rel="dofollow">i</a>stic wash-out. Maybe MS' Bob? Or maybe Google's Buzz?
    rkoziol7
    Reply Vote

  • RE: (Dinosaur Sighting: Microsoft Bob)

    I think there were a few knockoffs of Bob around that time as well. Never used them, though. Was pretty young at the time anyways.

    And wow, from the screenshots Bob was heavy on the Wizards, stepping you through everything. Kinda makes me wonder if the biggest cause of hate was the amount of red tape needed to do anything.

    It's a interesting concept, basically an early attempt at "gamifying" the OS. Kinda makes me wonder if the whole "gamification" concept is really gonna take off or not, as it clearly demonstrates that early attempts failed.
    CobraA1
    Reply Vote
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