WHAT IN THE SOFTWARE
In the time of the micro computer software were written specifically for each computer, as they all came with their own operating system build into them. Burned into their microchips where the commands that they understood, and programmers needed to write their programs to the specific machine. The amount of software available for a specific computer played a significant role in it’s success.
The software operating system
A contester to the micro computer was IBM’s so-called Personal Computer or PC, although it was much pricier and did not find it’s way into normal homes straight away. The IBM PC used a software operating system. This had to load on startup, but made it easier to update - simply because you did not need to buy a completely new piece of hardware. The OS (for Operating System) was called MSDOS, this was short for Micro-Soft Disk Operating System (yes, they used a dash in their name in the early days). The code was based on the UNIX operating system although greatly simplified.
From calculators to communication devices
Computers continued to develop. In the micro computer age the computer was mostly used as a very specialized machine. In many cases it was a toy used for gaming or a little bit of home programming. Later that changed, as the internet developed and people began to connect.
In the words of Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and the developer of MSDOS: “I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.”
Commodore PET 8032