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From: gwes@trilobyte.com (Geoff Steckel)
Subject: Re: Retro-Computing!
Message-ID: <1995Apr17.021558.498@trilobyte.com>
Organization: Trilobyte Systems
References: <D6vHwD.715@bonkers.taronga.com> <3mhge1$6j1@alterdial.UU.NET> <3mhoi4$8pj@ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 1995 02:15:58 GMT
Lines: 38

In article <3mhoi4$8pj@ixnews3.ix.netcom.com> mcknighl@ix.netcom.com (Lawrence McKnight) writes:
>>|     Bill Schultz     A Warped Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste.....
>>
>>Interesting footnote:  Microsoft started with a PDP-10.  All of the
>original CP/M
>>software was cross-compiled on a PDP-10 that Bill and Co. had picked
>up cheap
>>from somewhere.
>
>I don't think they 'picked it up' at all.  From what I recall, they
>'used' (some might say 'stole') computer time on a 10 at Harvard.  
>~~~~~~~~~
>>|                                     Use OS/2 Warp: Waste Not, Want
>Not.....
>>
>

Well, I was there at the time.  _Every_ user had to sign a form which
specified _no_ personal or commercial use (the Navy, I believe, actually
owned old serial #6).  When I observed a number of Gates' cohorts doing
their thing, I asked them what they were doing.  One replied 'a Basic for
micros'.  I told them commercial use wasn't allowed.  They told me to **** ****.
Soon thereafter, Gates left Harvard without a degree.  I was not involved
in the negotiations which led up to his departure, but I did see a
confiscated listing of u-Sloth BASIC.  And (BTW) mysterious phone calls
to Albequerque showed up on my office phone bill just about then, as well.

IMnsHO, this was typical Gates behavior before and after.  He looks out
for #1 very well.

Anyway, though I loved the 10 dearly, it was a hard machine to compile for,
though a dream to do assembly on.  I _do_ miss the macro facility (Bob
Bowering, wasn't it?)
-- 
Geoff Steckel
Omnivore Technology

I own the company, for whatever that's worth.
