Microsoft Word Turns 25
A look back at the changes and challenges Microsoft's flagship word-processing program has been through during its first quarter-century.
Benj Edwards, PC World
The Birth of Clippy
Word 97 (1997) launched the one feature Word users generally loathe the most: The Office Assistant. By default, the assistant was "Clippit" (often called "Clippy"), a talking, dancing paperclip with slanted eyes, who spied on your progress and insisted on telling you what you were doing. Like a well-intentioned child offering assistance with a complicated task, instead of helping, Clippy just got in the way.
Certain Microsoft veterans seemed to agree: When asked how he felt about Clippy, Word 1.0 author Richard Brodie replied, "Like a cat feels about a bath." Simonyi expressed a similar sentiment.
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007
The Best of PC World
Featured APC Accessories For Your System
10% Off Entire Cart at Online Store
-
APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
-
APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.
People who read this also read:
Best Prices on Antivirus Software
Norton AntiVirus 2009 (Full Product)Price: $14.84
VirusScan Plus 2009 - 3-User (Full Product)Price: $4.00
Anti-Virus 2009 (Full Product)Price: $17.85
VirusScan Plus 2009 (Full Product)Price: $4.00
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008 (Full Product)Price: $3.23
Anti-Virus Pro 2009 (Full Product)Price: $5.88
-
Cisco Small Business Center Find out how to keep employees mobile, connected and productive with secure wireless networking.
-
Dell Servers for Small Business Click here to see how a Dell server can help you back up your company's data and save you valuable time.
"Microsoft Word Turns 25" Comments