This week, we’ve reminisced about the past, and even indulged in some retro goodies provided by Microsoft. For instance, Apple debuted their “Liquid Glass” user interface design as part of a major revamp for iOS 26 at WWDC 2025. Notably, Windows enthusiasts pointed out that it bore a striking resemblance to Microsoft’s Aero Glass from Windows Vista in 2006, suggesting it might have been inspired by an earlier design.
Subsequently, the well-known Windows Vista startup tone from 2006 unexpectedly resurfaced in the recent previews of Windows 11. They refer to it as a “technical glitch”.
Presently, longtime Microsoft employee Raymond Chen has shared an amusing anecdote about an instance when the company’s software compatibility test for Windows 95 inadvertently caused a cash register at Egghead Software to malfunction.
To truly understand the narrative, let’s go back as far as 2005. It was during this year that Chen delved into the story of Windows 95’s creation, emphasizing its app compatibility, in his Old New Thing series.
Remarkably, it was disclosed that the main developer of Windows 95 actually drove to Egghead Software in his truck to purchase a copy of each and every PC software available at the store (as reported by PCWorld).
The main programmer, who had purchased software from Egghead for his PC, accidentally left it at Microsoft’s cafeteria. He then requested each member of the Windows 95 development team to select two programs to test their compatibility with applications.
Or simply:
The lead developer, who bought software from Egghead for his PC, mistakenly left it in Microsoft’s cafeteria. He asked the Windows 95 team members to choose two programs for application compatibility testing.
According to Chen:
To participate, you were required to download and operate the software as a regular user would, report any issues – no matter how small – that don’t function properly, and share the program with the troubleshooter when asked.
To make sure Windows 95 worked well with the software you had already adopted, you were allowed to retain it once Windows 95 was released. If you performed your tasks effectively with these two programs, there was an opportunity for further assignments.
On a more captivating note, it’s intriguing to learn that the initial plan by the leader of the Windows 95 development team to test the OS’s compatibility with numerous computer applications nearly failed.
In my investigation, I identified a specific constraint causing the cash register at Egghead Software Store to malfunction when transactions surpassed $10,000. It was hypothesized that such large purchases would typically be made through purchase orders rather than cash or credit.
As a researcher, I encountered an obstacle when a particular task had to be completed within a strict monetary constraint. To circumvent this issue, I divided the task into manageable sections, ensuring each part remained under the specified limit. With that approach, the problem was effectively resolved.
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2025-06-18 13:09