Cinemagraphs

What are CINEMAGRAPHS?

Cinemagraphs are still photographs in which a minor and repeated movement occurs. Cinemagraphs, can give the illusion that the viewer is watching a video.

What it looks like when a photo moves

It’s somewhere between a photo and a video, a piece of artwork that seeks to perfectly capture a fleeting moment in time.

New York City-based photographer Jamie Beck and Web designer Kevin Burg “hand-stitch” together her photos and his Web design to make animated gifs they now call “cinemagraphs.”

Beck and Burg first started making cinemagraphs at Fashion Week in New York earlier this year, spending a day or two to capture Vogue magazine’s Anna Wintour examining the catwalk, or the fluttering of a fashion model’s hair. People loved their work so much that Beck and Burg soon expanded to longer narratives, about how Dogfish Brewey makes its beer (below), or profiles that captured a moment in the life of a couple in love in Brooklyn (above). Companies even asked their help in making food come alive.

“It’s taken over our whole lives,” Beck says.

Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha was one of their earlier cinemagraphs:

Along with Anna Wintour:

Both artists say making cinemagraphs, which starts with a photo that becomes a .gif file and goes through Photoshop, have changed the way they think about their art.

“I was shooting a building to make a cinemagraph one day, and nothing moved. I thought, well this is dumb,” Beck says. “But then the light changed, a bird flew by, and I realized that everything is alive. I just had to start training my eye. I had to start visualizing cinemagraphs.”

Burg agrees. “I’m forced to learn new things every time I create a cinemagraph. I learn how to better control things, and how to better explain what’s happening in the picture.”

Both Beck and Burg live in New York and they now often make cinemagraphs that tell about a simple aspect of the city:

Some day, they hope to do a whole study on New York.

For now, they’re content with a month-long project they recently completed on Dogfish Brewery, in which they captured the strawberries, hand crushing, sorghum, and molasses that are all part of the beer-making process:

Burg says the favorite cinemagraph he’s created is of Beck on the top of Rockefeller Center in New York. “The motion is subtle, and it’s fairly simple, but I just love the angle of the shot.”

If you look away for an instant, you will miss the car passing in this cinegraph:

All of their work is collected on the Tumblr, From Me to You.

Artists who’ve seen their work want to make cinemagraphs too, and tutorials can now be found on how to do it online.

Nikon D7100 In-Depth Review

Review based on a production Nikon D7100 running firmware 1.0

The enthusiast-targeted Nikon D7100 becomes the company's latest APS-C DSLR to feature a 24MP sensor, joining the D3200 and D5200 models that were announced in 2012. As the eagerly anticipated successor to the very popular two-and-a-half year old D7000, the D7100 faces a sizeable task. In our in-depth review we found its predcessor to combine very good image quality, class-leading noise performance and great handling in a solidly-built body.

Nikon appears to have taken this challenge to heart with the D7100 looking, on paper, like a very significant upgrade. The D7100 becomes the first Nikon DSLR to omit an optical low-pass filter (OLPF), a move we've seen rival Pentax take with its K-5 IIs. In theory, removing the OLPF altogether should result in a higher resolution than the filtered 24MP sensors found in the D5200 and D3200 can produce. We saw Nikon test the waters in this regard with the 36MP D800E, in which the effect of the OLPF was 'cancelled out'. Based on our test results with that camera, we suspect that realizing benefits of the OLPF's omission will require some very good optics at optimum apertures. The downside is, of course, greater potential for moiré-induced artifacts when shooting stills of objects with fine patterned detail.

Other D7100 upgrades over the D7000 include a significantly upgraded AF system, with focus algorithms borrowed from the top-end Nikon D4, 51 AF points (15 cross-type) and the stated ability to focus in light as low as -2EV. The D7100 gains a slightly larger 3.2-inch 1.2M dot rear LCD that features an RGBW display. The additional white dots allow the screen to either be run at lower power or noticeably brighter than the RGB panels found on previous Nikons for increased brightness or efficiency, depending on need. Owners of multiple Speedlights can also make use of Nikon's wireless remote operation (dubbed 'Advanced Wireless lighting') of up to three separate groups of flash units. And, as with the D7000, the camera's built-in flash can be used in Commander mode to trigger remote flashes.

The D7100's 24.1MP CMOS sensor does not include an optical low-pass filter (OLPF). While the flagship D800E had the effect of its OLPF 'cancelled out', this is the first time Nikon has done away with the filter altogether.

Video shooters get some upgrades as well. The D7100 offers 30p and 25p as well as 24p (rather than just 24p) recording and built-in stereo microphones. When using the D7100's optional 1.3X crop mode, which gives an effective focal length increase of 2X (a 50mm lens provides the crop of a 100mm), 50/60i movie recording is available. This crop mode also allows for 15MP stills capture at 7 versus the standard 6 frames per second.

The D7100 supports Nikon's WU-1a Wi-Fi unit, which plugs into the camera's accessory terminal and allows images to be transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet for uploading to social networks. The device also allows remote control of the camera from your smartphone, complete with live view, which can be a fun way of setting up self-portraits or group shots.

In a seemingly small, yet very practical upgrade over the D7000, the D7100 inherits the well-implemented Auto ISO program that we saw first on the D800, and later on the D5200. This allows the camera to set the minimum shutter speed automatically based on the focal length of the lens in use, with a choice of five user-controlled settings that bias towards faster or slower speeds. This fixes one of our biggest criticisms of earlier-model Nikon DSLRs, and obviously makes Auto ISO much more suitable for use with zoom lenses.

Nikon D7100 key features

• 24.1MP DX format CMOS sensor, with no OLPF
• EXPEED 3 processing
• ISO 100-6400 standard, up to 25600 expanded
• Max 6 fps continuous shooting in DX mode, 7fps in 1.3X crop mode
• 51 point AF system, 15 sensors cross type
• 2016 pixel RGB metering sensor
• Spot white balance in live view mode
• 1080 60i/30p video recording, built-in stereo mic, mic jack and audio monitoring jack
• Pentaprism with 100% coverage and 0.94X magnification
• 3.2", 1.2m-dot LCD screen (640 x 480 X RGBW)
• Front and rear IR receivers
• Equivalent water and dust resistance to D800/D300S

Key specs compared to the Nikon D7000

In the table below you can see how the major specifications of the D7100 compare against the D7000.

	Nikon D7100	Nikon D7000
Sensor resolution (type)	24MP CMOS (no OLPF)	16MP CMOS
Autofocus System	51-points with 15 cross-type	39 points with 9 cross-type
ISO sensitivity range	100-6400 (H1 and H2 expansion up to 25,600 equiv)
Display size / resolution	Fixed 3.2", 1.2m-dot LCD	Fixed 3", 920k-dot LCD
Maximum framerate (DX mode)	6 fps
Movie Mode	1080 60i/30p	1080/24p
Battery life (CIPA)	920 shots	1050 shots
Dimensions	136 x 107 x 76 mm (5.3 x 4.2 x 3.0 in)	132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0in)
Weight (with battery)	765 g (1 lb, 11 oz)	780 g (1 lb, 11.5 oz)

Compared to the Nikon D7000

Physically, the D7100 is very similar to its predecessor, with practically identical size and weight. Place the two cameras side by side in fact, and you'd need a moment to tell one from the other. With the exception of the new movie button on the top-plate and the addition of a fifth button along the left side of the camera, the key controls are almost identical, and fall in basically the same places. Most of the interesting bits of the upgrade are hidden away inside the D7100's magnesium-alloy and polycarbonate shell.

Create A Maze Game

How to Create a Maze Game in PowerPoint

Would you like to make a maze game for your friends to try and finish? Then read this article on how to create a quiz game in PowerPoint.

EditMethod 1 of 3: Creating a Custom Action Button

1. 
   1
   Open up PowerPoint.
2. 
   2
   Add a title, and a subtitle.
3. 
   3
   Make a quick menu by adding a Play button and an Instructions button.
4. 
   4
   Construct the following, which will be used in the game:
   • Shapes
   • action buttons
   • custom
5. 
   5
   Draw up a custom action button, filling up the whole slide.
6. 
   6
   Make a game over slide.
7. 
   7
   Go back to the slide where you made the custom action button.
8. 
   8
   Right-click the button.
9. 
   9
   Click the mouse over tab.
10. 
    10
    Hyperlink it to the game over slide.
11. 
    11
    Fill and outline the button white so people won't know it's the boundary.
12. 
    12
    Make the maze with the ready-made shapes.
13. 13
    Save the file.

EditMethod 2 of 3: Using Pictures to Block the Paths

1. 1
   Add a title, and a subtitle.
2. 2
   Make a quick menu by adding a Play button and an Instructions button.
3. 3
   Construct the following, which will be used in the game:
   
   
   • Shapes
   • action buttons
   • custom
4. 4
   Draw up a custom action button, filling up the whole slide.
5. 5
   Make a game over slide.
6. 6
   Go back to the slide where you made the custom action button.
7. 7
   Right-click the button.
8. 8
   Click the mouse over tab.
9. 9
   Hyperlink it to the game over slide.
10. 10
    Add a custom action button in somewhere in the maze so it nearly blocks the way, to make the game more challenging. Then match the custom buttons color with the maze that you've drawn.
11. 11
    Add a picture like a hole, scissors, anything that'll try and block the paths way. Then the user will then try and cross carefully, without touching the button.
12. 12
    Select the custom button that is blocking the way, right click/hyperlink/mouse over/game over slide.
13. 13
    Save the file.

EditMethod 3 of 3: Using Action Settings

1. 1
   Add a title, and a subtitle.
2. 2
   Make a new slide.
3. 3
   Draw a rectangle or any other shape, right click it (for -2003 office) and select action settings.
4. 4
   Copy and paste this rectangle, use your whole array of rectangles and other shapes to create obstacles.
5. 5
   In the end, don't forget to paste/make a 'finish' rectangle/shape.
6. 6
   You can make other objects spin, increase and decrease in size, some buttons to doors, etc.
7. 7
   Save!

Tips

• Animations would be great!
• Add background music to make it more fun for people to play.
• Save often.

EditWarnings

• If you have added animations, press the escape button on the keyboard, then press F5.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3: One of the best Android handsets

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 is the latest in its line of is-it-a-phone-or-a-tablet-I-hate-calling-them-phablets mobile devices and follows on from the successful Note and Note II, which pretty much created and thus defined the category.

Hardware

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a large phone. That might seem like stating the obvious, but there’s really not much getting around the size of the device and it’s worth underlining. Go ahead, show one to a friend. It will be the first thing they say.

Nonetheless, Samsung has actually managed to pull off a bit of nifty design with the Note 3, increasing the screen size from the 5.5-inches of the Note II to 5.7-inches, but also managing to reduce the overall size of the chassis by 1.3mm in width and 1.1mm in depth. Smart, and useful when you’re dealing with extremely large phones where every little helps. Officially, this makes it 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3mm and only 168 grams in weight. That’s a full 14.5 grams lighter than its predecessor.

I’ll confess, I haven’t been much of a fan of the Note series. They’ve always been well-specced, but I find the overall effect of the size of the devices and the plastic shell just leaves it feeling…well, a bit cheap. Which it shouldn’t, as that’s one thing they’ve never been.

However, with the slimmer chassis, leather effect, and soft rear plastic panel replacing the hard plastic shell of previous models, it’s altogether more pleasant to look at and use than either of the others.

That said, it’s no easier to hold, and feels no less large (silly) when making calls. It’s slimmer, but not by a whole bunch and people with smaller hands will definitely still struggle if they decide to brave this hinterland between tablets and phones.



Given that it’s a bit of a monster handset, the 5.7-inch (144.3mm) HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080 pixels) display needs to deliver to make it worth the inconvenience. Thankfully, it does. While its PPI is lower than the S4′s, at 386 it’s still significantly higher than the Note II’s 267 PPI. In real terms, images, text and pretty much everything look a whole lot sharper and crisper, with colors looking bright and vibrant. Don’t let the fact that there are higher PPI displays out there put you off too much.

There’s also the S Pen stylus that we’ve seen in previous models. As before, it slips inside the chassis of the device for safekeeping via a little hole in the bottom-right hand corner, and when in use allows you to do things like use your handwriting as the text input, select text and areas of the screen, draw pictures, and a bunch more. Detaching the S Pen automatically launches the Air Command window, by default. More on that below.



It doesn’t get shouted about a lot, but this is also one of the first mobile devices to offer a USB 3.0 port which doubles as the charging port. As a result, the charging cable (which is also the cable for connecting it to your PC) looks a bit different to the normal micro USB you might be used to. Fear not, you can still use that normal cable for charging your phone if you lose this one, simply plug it into the right-hand side of the port on the phone. The bonus of USB 3.0 is that transfers between your computer and phone should be a lot quicker, providing your plugging it into a USB 3.0 port on your machine too, of course.

Other key hardware specs include a whopping 2.3Ghz quad-core processor, coupled with 3GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB internal storage configurations. Naturally for a top-of-the-range device, there are also 4G LTE capabilities, and pleasingly the option of removing the battery to pop a new one in. That’s not to be taken for granted with new phones. You can also pop a microSD card in there, to take the potential storage up to a whopping 128GB.

Software and performance

The Note 3 arrives running the newest version of Android Jelly Bean (4.3), and while there aren’t too many noticeable differences over 4.2 there are tweaks here and there under the bonnet to keep things running nicely. Adding support for better graphics, and the aforementioned gutsy quad-core processor and 3GB RAM means that the frame-rates stay steady and even fast-paced games don’t lag.

It was a similar situation for the general navigation too, even when doing things like transferring files, or editing video clips, the Note 3 never missed a beat or gave the impression of wanting to just give up. Again, impressive. While I’m not going to dwell too long on the standard features you’ll find in Jelly Bean, it’s worth noting that the device has a lot of Samsung-customized features and software settings. The end result is that, depending on how you look at it, you either have one of the most powerful, customizable Android phones money can buy, or you have one of the most confusing.

S Note (left) and Scrapbook

Naturally, some of these software features are centered around use of the S Pen stylus, so you’ll find things like S Note and AutoDesk’s ‘SketchBook for Galaxy’ and Scrapbook. S Note, unsurprisingly allows you to use handwriting to take notes, SketchBook is for drawing and Scrapbook lets you collect clippings of screenshots from things that take your fancy, whatever you’re doing at the time.

So, for example, it can be used to create a scrapbook of games or apps you want to download from Google Play, or could be used to store clippings on a particular topic. You can see a Scrapbook in the image above on the right-hand side.

Air Commands (left) and Action Memo

To add content to a Scrapbook, you simply remove the S Pen tool and select it from the Air Commands pop-up options (shown right), or if the S Pen is already in-hand, hold it near the device and click the little button on the side of the stylus. In addition to Scrapbooker, other options from the Air Command include Screen Write (we’ll let you guess what that does), S Finder (search), Action Memo and Pen Window.

These last two are sort of interesting, Action Memo lets you link actions, like searching the web or sending an email, to whatever words, pictures or shapes you’d like to draw and Pen Window lets you draw a box anywhere on screen and load up another app in that section.

In addition to S Pen-oriented software on-board, Samsung has also included its other notable hands-free controls, like Air Gesture (allowing you to show the lock screen notifications by gesturing towards, but not picking up, the handset), Air View, Smart Stay, Smart View – the list of software is virtually endless and when you pull down the notification bar and select settings, the options can be a little overwhelming the first time out.



Whether or not those features are genuinely useful to you, rather than just gimmicks, will depend on how dependable they are. For me, it was hit and miss, the Smart Stay certainly worked, but the Smart Scroll feature that automatically scrolls up or down a web page when it detects where you are looking was frankly just irritating.

However, the ability to multi-task and split the screen into whatever sized sections you like is a very nice touch indeed, and is definitely one of the genuinely useful additions over stock Android.



In the image above, the tab on the left-hand side gives quick access to apps and can be shown or hidden by long-pressing the back button, to the right of the home button.

Battery life

Battery life on the Note 3 is, as you might expect, a charge every day affair. That’s not to say it’s bad, but if you want it to last you through two full days without a charge, with moderate usage, and without you worrying about it dying, then you’ll likely be disappointed. In reality, expect it to get you through the working day without worrying too much, but if you’ve been using it, you’ll definitely need to charge by the time you go to sleep.

This is, of course, dependent on your usage and there’s a battery saving mode too, to eke it out a little further. Pop it on standby, disable mobile data and rarely use it and it’ll last a relative eon.
While that might not sound massively impressive, it’s actually not so bad considering the size of the screen and the other hardware that the 3,200 mAh (removable) battery has to keep running.

Camera, apps, multimedia

While the Note 3 doesn’t put all its efforts into the camera like some other devices, it still packs a 13-megapixel sensor with auto-focus and image stabilization. Similarly, there’s a 2-megapixel front-facing affair for video or stills.



Like many other smartphone cameras, in our testing the Note 3 performed pretty admirably in bright conditions. However, pop it altogether somewhere more dingy and it’ll struggle to produce anything too impressive.

That said, Samsung has brought some of its software wizardry here too, enabling features like Dual Shot and Dual Recording which allows both the front and rear facing pictures to take pictures simultaneously and combine them.



In addition to this, there’s also slow motion camera mode, Drama Shot, Sound and Shot, Best Photo, Beauty Face (which captures a clip of audio along with the image) and a whole lot more Samsung specific camera features.

As should be becoming clear by now, Samsung’s big on differentiating through software, so you’ll also find a host more Samsung specific apps, like S Health, S Voice etc, as well as Samsung’s (now) integrated Hub for content like Games, Music and Videos. Obviously, you can still access all the usual Google Play apps, games, music, movies and everything else it has to offer too.

There are also third-party apps that Samsung has partnered with for the Note 3 (some of which are shown below).



As mentioned right at the beginning of this review, while this is one powerful Android smartphone it could all be a bit overwhelming for someone that is new to the platform. However, the granularity and options it offers more familiar or power users are pretty remarkable.

Should you buy it?

It’s an expensive handset with a range legacy to uphold, and it does so very well – furthering the Note series in a few practical, if small ways. It’s clearly a bonus that the overall chassis size has been reduced and if you’re in the market for a monster handset this should be very near the top of the list, if not at the top.

If however, you already have a 4.x-inch phone and wonder if this would be a bit much, then it would be best to go and hold one in a shop first. Try writing a text message or an email, it’s a bit of a thumb stretch if you’re used to one-handed operation.



It’s also worth noting that right now, this is the only handset that’ll work with the Galaxy Gear, though support for others is coming. If you’re desperate to get in on the Samsung Galaxy Gear action, it’s a great companion, but together you’ll be looking at upwards of £1000/$1000, so make sure it’ll do everything you want. I certainly found the Gear had some limitations, but liked it nonetheless.

On the downside, while the Note 3 gives customizability and options galore, it has an unremarkable camera (from an image quality standpoint) if you compare it to other range-toppers like the Lumia 1020 (but then that has shortcomings of its own) and some of the software features are a bit gimmicky. And there will always be the sheer size of it.

However, if you’re in the market for a 5 – 6-inch device with some serious muscle under-the-bonnet, a crisp screen and more software options than you could ever want, you’ll definitely want to consider the Note 3. Just make sure you have deep pockets, eh.

Guide to Shooting High Key

What is High Key Photography?

High key photography uses unnaturally bright lighting to blow out most or all harsh shadows in an image. High key methods were originally developed as a solution to screens that couldn't properly display high contrast ratios, but has developed into more of a stylistic choice.

High key images usually convey a positive or upbeat tone. This method is perfect for a subject that is funny, lighthearted or beautiful.

You see high key used regularly for model photography, flowers and other subjects that are relatively feminine in nature. Another area perfect for high key is product photography. Practically speaking, the bright nature of the photo really highlights the product and can make for some great attention-grabbing contrast. Psychologically speaking, a product shown on white tends to suggest that it is high quality or upscale in nature.

The Nikon image above probably reminds you of a number of ads you've seen for premium products like the iPhone. Apple is fond of using high-key artwork and photography to show off their line of super-stylish electronic devices.

The opposite of high key is of course low key. Instead of eliminating shadows as in high key photography, low key photographers utilize dark scenes and heavy contrast to convey a sense of drama or foreboding.

Lighting Equipment

Effectively shooting indoors in high key is not easy if you don't have the proper equipment (outdoors on a bright day can be easier and cheaper). If you want to achieve that studio, white background look, ideally you'll have some studio lighting on hand.

Getting started with studio lighting can be quite expensive. Many starter kits are available from a range of manufacturers. Depending on the quality and amount of equipment you want, you can expect to spend anywhere from $200-$1700 and beyond.

Lighting conversations can quickly become complicated, but I'll try to keep it simple here. Basically, you have two primary options: continuous lighting or flash. Within continuous lighting you can choose from either tungsten (hot lights) or fluorescent (cool lights.) Tungsten lights tend to run really hot and produce warmer looking light while fluorescent lights run fairly cool by comparison and produce something more comparable to daylight (source).

The problem with both of these is that they are fairly low-powered, which can make it difficult to pull off high key photography if your lights are good enough. Alternatively, flashes are more versatile and powerful and are therefore the only choice for many studio photographers.
Ultimately, it's quite difficult to get a good feel for a lighting kit until you get your hands on it. The best you can do if you're purchasing online is to do your research and read plenty of reviews.

Lighting Setup

Once you've got some decent lights, you'll need to set up your studio environment. Don't mistake the information below as the single right way to shoot high key photography. There are tons of places and ways to get a good high key shot, this is just to give you a good idea of one of the most popular methods of achieving the effect.

Ideally you'll have at least three lights, four if you've got the equipment. You'll also need a seamless white backdrop of some kind. Many professionals mount a 9 ft wide roll of paper high on stands, then roll it down across the background and onto the floor of the shot. If you're on a budget or in a hurry you can try using a sheet (watch for wrinkles) or an empty wall.

Position your subject in the center of the backdrop and make sure to keep the shot's frame within the bounds of the paper so no gaps are showing. Next setup a key light and a fill light. The key light is off to one side and is your main source of light on the subject. Make sure the lighting on the subject is fairly flat. As strange as that sounds, remember that you're not going for contrast here but brightness throughout.

Having your key light to one side will likely produce harsh shadows on the opposite side of the subject. Here you setup a less bright fill light to smooth out some of those areas. Shooting with only these two lights will produce a gray, shadow-filled background. Since we're going for solid white, you need to eliminate these shadows by using one or two lights angled and pointed at your backdrop.

The key here is experimentation. Don't worry if you end up with a lot of bad shots at first, it can literally take hours to figure out a decent light setup if you're new to studio flash photography.

One thing to watch out for is the light bouncing off your backdrop, which can cause strange halos around your subject. At the same time, you want to make sure you're blowing out the backdrop enough to get a fairly solid white. Deborah Wolfe from Studio On a Shoestring recommends that you keep your background lights at least one f-stop over your subject lighting and meter the lighting for your subject to produce an overall setting of f/11.

Camera Settings

To evaluate camera settings for a given technique, I always like to take a look at a real example and inspect what the photographer did to achieve the effect.

This photo was taken with a Sony DSLR-A350, with an exposure of 0.2 sec (1/5), an aperture of f/5.6, an ISO of 100, and an exposure bias of +2 EV. Notice that all of these settings are aimed at letting in lots of light.

The 1/5 sec exposure is quite long and would normally produce a blurry photo if not for a couple of factors. First, the subject isn't moving. Fortunately, flowers are fairly immobile and tend to stay pretty still while you're shooting (barring any wind). Unfortunately, you don't have the same luxury with people.

Secondly, the camera was probably mounted on a tripod. With such a long exposure you'll want to use a tripod whenever possible to avoid camera shake. Finally, the flash actually serves to freeze the subject in place so that even if you're shooting a person, handheld with a long exposure, it's a fairly easy to get a crisp image.

The 5.6 aperture is neither really high nor really low. The shot looks like it would've been taken down below f/3 but because it's so close the DOF looks fairly shallow even above 5.0, which allows for more light to be let in without sacrificing a nice blurry background.
Finally, the 100 ISO tells us there was already a lot of available light in the seen and the exposure bias is pumping up the brightness even further.

What you can learn from this is that you're definitely going to want to shoot at 100-200 ISO in a bright environment with a f-stop that's high enough to give you a really bright scene. Feel free to shoot way up at f/11 or higher if you're not aiming for a blurry background and don't have strong enough lights to fill the area well. You'll also want to lengthen your exposure to brighten the scene as much as you can without blowing out the highlights or causing blur from camera shake or model movement.

A history of Windows

Highlights from the first 25 years  

1975–1981: Microsoft boots up

Getting started: Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (left) and Bill Gates

It’s the 1970s. At work, we rely on typewriters. If we need to copy a document, we likely use a mimeograph or carbon paper. Few have heard of microcomputers, but two young computer enthusiasts, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, see that personal computing is a path to the future.

In 1975, Gates and Allen form a partnership called Microsoft. Like most start-ups, Microsoft begins small, but has a huge vision—a computer on every desktop and in every home. During the next years, Microsoft begins to change the ways we work.

The dawn of MS‑DOS

In June 1980, Gates and Allen hire Gates’ former Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer to help run the company. The next month, IBM approaches Microsoft about a project code-named "Chess." In response, Microsoft focuses on a new operating system—the software that manages, or runs, the computer hardware and also serves to bridge the gap between the computer hardware and programs, such as a word processor. It’s the foundation on which computer programs can run. They name their new operating system "MS‑DOS."

When the IBM PC running MS‑DOS ships in 1981, it introduces a whole new language to the general public. Typing “C:” and various cryptic commands gradually becomes part of daily work. People discover the backslash (\) key.

MS‑DOS is effective, but also proves difficult to understand for many people. There has to be a better way to build an operating system. 

Geek trivia: MS‑DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System.

1982–1985: Introducing Windows 1.0

Microsoft works on the first version of a new operating system. Interface Manager is the code name and is considered as the final name, but Windows prevails because it best describes the boxes or computing “windows” that are fundamental to the new system. Windows is announced in 1983, but it takes a while to develop. Skeptics call it “vaporware.”

The fully-packaged Windows 1.0

On November 20, 1985, two years after the initial announcement, Microsoft ships Windows 1.0. Now, rather than typing MS‑DOS commands, you just move a mouse to point and click your way through screens, or “windows.” Bill Gates says, “It is unique software designed for the serious PC user…”

There are drop-down menus, scroll bars, icons, and dialog boxes that make programs easier to learn and use. You're able to switch among several programs without having to quit and restart each one. Windows 1.0 ships with several programs, including MS‑DOS file management, Paint, Windows Writer, Notepad, Calculator, and a calendar, card file, and clock to help you manage day-to-day activities. There’s even a game—Reversi. 

Geek trivia: Remember floppy disks and kilobytes? Windows 1.0 requires a minimum of 256 kilobytes (KB), two double-sided floppy disk drives, and a graphics adapter card. A hard disk and 512 KB memory is recommended for running multiple programs or when using DOS 3.0 or higher.

1987–1992: Windows 2.0–2.11—More windows, more speed

On December 9, 1987 Microsoft releases Windows 2.0 with desktop icons and expanded memory. With improved graphics support, you can now overlap windows, control the screen layout, and use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work. Some software developers write their first Windows–based programs for this release. 

Windows 2.0

Windows 2.0 is designed for the Intel 286 processor. When the Intel 386 processor is released, Windows/386 soon follows to take advantage of its extended memory capabilities. Subsequent Windows releases continue to improve the speed, reliability, and usability of the PC.

In 1988, Microsoft becomes the world’s largest PC software company based on sales. Computers are starting to become a part of daily life for some office workers. 

Geek trivia: Control Panel makes its first appearance in Windows 2.0.

1990–1994: Windows 3.0–Windows NT—Getting the graphics

On May 22, 1990, Microsoft announces Windows 3.0, followed shortly by Windows 3.1 in 1992. Taken together, they sell 10 million copies in their first 2 years, making this the most widely used Windows operating system yet. The scale of this success causes Microsoft to revise earlier plans. Virtual Memory improves visual graphics. In 1990 Windows starts to look like the versions to come. 

Windows now has significantly better performance, advanced graphics with 16 colors, and improved icons. A new wave of 386 PCs helps drive the popularity of Windows 3.0. With full support for the Intel 386 processor, programs run noticeably faster. Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager arrive in Windows 3.0.

Bill Gates shows the newly-released Windows 3.0

Windows software is installed with floppy discs bought in large boxes with heavy instruction manuals.

The popularity of Windows 3.0 grows with the release of a new Windows software development kit (SDK), which helps software developers focus more on writing programs and less on writing device drivers.

Windows is increasingly used at work and home and now includes games like Solitaire, Hearts, and Minesweeper. An advertisement: “Now you can use the incredible power of Windows 3.0 to goof off.”

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 adds peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking support and, for the first time, PCs become an integral part of the emerging client/server computing evolution.

Windows NT

When Windows NT releases on July 27, 1993, Microsoft meets an important milestone: the completion of a project begun in the late 1980s to build an advanced new operating system from scratch. "Windows NT represents nothing less than a fundamental change in the way that companies can address their business computing requirements," Bill Gates says at its release.

Unlike Windows 3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 is a 32-bit operating system, which makes it a strategic business platform that supports high-end engineering and scientific programs. 

Geek trivia: The group that develops Windows NT was originally called the "Portable Systems" team.

1995–2001: Windows 95—the PC comes of age (and don't forget the Internet)

On August 24, 1995, Microsoft releases Windows 95, selling a record-setting 7 million copies in the first five weeks. It’s the most publicized launch Microsoft has ever taken on. Television commercials feature the Rolling Stones singing "Start Me Up" over images of the new Start button. The press release simply begins: “It’s here.”

Launch day: Bill Gates introduces Windows 95

This is the era of fax/modems, e‑mail, the new online world, and dazzling multimedia games and educational software. Windows 95 has built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that make it easy to install hardware and software. The 32-bit operating system also offers enhanced multimedia capabilities, more powerful features for mobile computing, and integrated networking.

Windows 95

At the time of the Windows 95 release, the previous Windows and MS‑DOS operating systems are running on about 80 percent of the world’s PCs. Windows 95 is the upgrade to these operating systems. To run Windows 95, you need a PC with a 386DX or higher processor (486 recommended) and at least 4 MB of RAM (8 MB of RAM recommended). Upgrade versions are available for both floppy disk and CD-ROM formats. It’s available in 12 languages. 

Windows 95 features the first appearance of the Start menu, taskbar, and minimize, maximize, and close buttons on each window.

Catching the Internet wave

In the early 1990s, tech insiders are talking about the Internet—a network of networks that has the power to connect computers all over the world. In 1995, Bill Gates delivers a memo titled “The Internet Tidal Wave,” and declares the Internet as “the most important development since the advent of the PC.”

In the summer of 1995, the first version of Internet Explorer is released. The browser joins those already vying for space on the World Wide Web.

Geek trivia: In 1996, Microsoft releases Flight Simulator for Windows 95—the first time in its 14-year history that it’s available for Windows.

1998–2000: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me

Windows 98

Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. PCs are common at work and home, and Internet cafes where you can get online are popping up. Windows 98 is described as an operating system that “Works Better, Plays Better.”

Windows 98

With Windows 98, you can find information more easily on your PC as well as the Internet. Other improvements include the ability to open and close programs more quickly, and support for reading DVD discs and universal serial bus (USB) devices. Another first appearance is the Quick Launch bar, which lets you run programs without having to browse the Start menu or look for them on the desktop. 

Geek trivia: Windows 98 is the last version based on MS‑DOS.

Windows Me

Designed for home computer use, Windows Me offers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements compared to previous versions.

First appearances: System Restore, a feature that can roll back your PC software configuration to a date or time before a problem occurred. Movie Maker provides users with the tools to digitally edit, save, and share home videos. And with Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 technologies, you can find, organize, and play digital media.

Geek trivia: Technically speaking, Windows Me was the last Microsoft operating system to be based on the Windows 95 code base. Microsoft announced that all future operating system products would be based on the Windows NT and Windows 2000 kernel.

Windows 2000 Professional

Windows 2000 Professional

More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional is designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 adds major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing.

Among other improvements, Windows 2000 Professional simplifies hardware installation by adding support for a wide variety of new Plug and Play hardware, including advanced networking and wireless products, USB devices, IEEE 1394 devices, and infrared devices. 

Geek trivia: The nightly stress test performed on Windows 2000 during development is the equivalent of three months of run time on up to 1,500 computers.

2001–2005: Windows XP—Stable, usable, and fast

On October 25, 2001, Windows XP is released with a redesigned look and feel that's centered on usability and a unified Help and Support services center. It’s available in 25 languages. From the mid-1970s until the release of Windows XP, about 1 billion PCs have been shipped worldwide.

For Microsoft, Windows XP will become one of its best-selling products in the coming years. It’s both fast and stable. Navigating the Start menu, taskbar, and Control Panel are more intuitive. Awareness of computer viruses and hackers increases, but fears are to a certain extent calmed by the online delivery of security updates. Consumers begin to understand warnings about suspicious attachments and viruses. There’s more emphasis on Help and Support.

Ship it: Windows XP Professional rolls to retail stores

Windows XP Home Edition offers a clean, simplified visual design that makes frequently used features more accessible. Designed for home use, Windows XP offers such enhancements as the Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and enhanced digital photo capabilities. 

Windows XP Professional brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop, enhancing reliability, security, and performance. With a fresh visual design, Windows XP Professional includes features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features. Key enhancements for mobile users include wireless 802.1x networking support, Windows Messenger, and Remote Assistance.

Windows XP has several editions during these years:

• Windows XP 64-bit Edition (2001) is the first Microsoft operating system for 64-bit processors designed for working with large amounts of memory and projects such as movie special effects, 3D animations, engineering, and scientific programs.
• Windows XP Media Center Edition (2002) is made for home computing and entertainment. You can browse the Internet, watch live television, enjoy digital music and video collections, and watch DVDs.
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (2002) realizes the vision of pen-based computing. Tablet PCs include a digital pen for handwriting recognition and you can use the mouse or keyboard, too.

Geek trivia: Windows XP is compiled from 45 million lines of code.

2006–2008: Windows Vista—Smart on security

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista is released in 2006 with the strongest security system yet. User Account Control helps prevent potentially harmful software from making changes to your computer. In Windows Vista Ultimate, BitLocker Drive Encryption provides better data protection for your computer, as laptop sales and security needs increase. Windows Vista also features enhancements to Windows Media Player as more and more people come to see their PCs as central locations for digital media. Here you can watch television, view and send photographs, and edit videos.

Design plays a big role in Windows Vista, and features such as the taskbar and the borders around windows get a brand new look. Search gets new emphasis and helps people find files on their PCs faster. Windows Vista introduces new editions that each have a different mix of features. It's available in 35 languages. The redesigned Start button makes its first appearance in Windows Vista. 

Geek trivia: More than 1.5 million devices are compatible with Windows Vista at launch.

2009: Windows 7

Windows 7 was built for the wireless world that arose in the late 2000s. By the time it was released, laptops were outselling desktops, and it had become common to connect to public wireless hotspots in coffee shops and private networks in the home.

Windows 7 included new ways to work with windows—like Snap, Peek, and Shake—which both improved functionality and made the interface more fun to use. It also marked the debut of Windows Touch, which let touchscreen users browse the web, flip through photos, and open files and folders.

Improvements to the Windows 7 taskbar include live thumbnail previews

Geek trivia: Windows 7 was evaluated by 8 million beta testers worldwide before it was released.

2012: Windows 8

Windows 8 is Windows reimagined from the chipset to the user experience. It functions as both a tablet for entertainment and a full-featured PC for getting things done. It introduces a totally new interface that works smoothly for both touch and mouse and keyboard. Windows 8 also includes enhancements of the familiar Windows desktop, with a new taskbar and streamlined file management. 

Windows 8 features a Start screen with tiles that connect to people, files, apps, and websites. Apps are front and center, with access to a new place to get apps—the Windows Store—built right in to the Start screen.

Along with Windows 8, Microsoft also launched Windows RT, which runs on some tablets and PCs. Windows RT is designed for sleek devices and long battery life, and exclusively runs apps from the Windows Store. It also comes with a built-in version of Office that's optimized for touchscreens. 

Geek trivia: Power users will notice that Windows 8 has made the detection and correction of file system errors both more transparent and less intrusive.