Let's Discuss! "Windows 95" - Happy Belated 25th Birthday!

 Let's Discuss! 

"Windows 95" - Happy Belated 25th Birthday!

Hello World! Welcome back, my name is Benjamin! This post will be dedicated to something very special which very recently celebrated it's 25th Birthday! I'm not talking about a person, nor am I talking about a beloved pet. Today I am talking about an operating system...I'm wishing a very happy birthday to Windows 95! Let's Discuss! 

 - Operating System? What is that? Can it walk and talk? 

Well, first of all, to my knowledge an operating system cannot walk, but it can certainly talk! Anyway, I digress, you asked me what an operating system is so I'll try my best to explain. If consider yourself to be a computer ace or you are lucky enough to actually be married to a computer, you may be offended by my sub-par explanation. If that is the case this post is probably not for you...you've been warned.  

An operating system (commonly referred to as an "OS") is a software package or "system" that manages computer hardware and services for the computer user. Basically, it enables you to get the most out of your hardware (which could be in the form of a PC, laptop or even a smartphone) if it wasn't for the OS, you wouldn't be able to read this post! 

An "OS" comprises of many factors, and one of those factors is a GUI, which stands for "Graphical User Interface". This is what you see on your screen when you turn on your device. A common OS nowadays is Windows 10. Anyway, now we have a rough idea of what an OS is let's get back to Windows 95. 

- 24th of August 1995 - Computer Christmas? 

This date will go down in history as this is the day that Microsoft brought their brand new operating system into the world, Windows 95 and the famous "Start" bar was born. Not only this, but Windows 95 opened the door to "Plug and Play", which meant that users would in theory spend less time and effort setting up their computers and spend more time utilising the exciting programs that could run on them instead.

Microsoft spent a whopping $200 million dollars on Advertising for Windows 95 in the run up to it's launch. In the UK, PC World stores opened at midnight to accommodate for customers to purchase their copy of Windows 95. You could even pick up a copy of The Times newspaper free of charge to mark the occasion. 

A modern touch on the classic Windows 95 "Splash" screen

- So why should we celebrate? 

Funny you should ask. I think we should celebrate this momentous occasion because without Windows 95, we may never have had such a seamless experience with computers that many of us take for granted today. This OS was absolutely ground-breaking for the average computer user or beginner at the time. It unlocked a huge amount of potential uses for computers and revolutionised the way that humans interact with technology on an unprecedented scale. It has opened the door for education, healthcare, commerce and computer literacy to excel. Not only that, but video games for computer systems evolved into a new age with the introduction of Windows 95. 

The famous "Start" bar - Windows 95

In essence, Windows 95 really was the "Start" button that we had been waiting for back in 1995. Microsoft had already established itself with MS-DOS and eventually Windows 3.1, but with the introduction of Windows 95 it established itself even further into unknown territories. It liberated users from every background, beginners, novices and experts all had the power to do bigger and better things with their very own Personal Computers. 

Happy Belated Birthday, Windows 95.  

Benjamin Andrew 95! 

P.S. Now you know why I've named this blog, "Benjamin Andrew 95".....right?