Vista - Microsoft Word Turns 25

Written by Benj Edwards, PC World Oct 22, 2008 8:17 pm


A look back at the changes and challenges Microsoft's flagship word-processing program has been through during its first quarter-century.


From Upstart to Market King

If you've been using Microsoft Word for the past quarter of a century, it can seem like Word has always been the top dog of the word-processing world--and for years, it's been incorporated into Microsoft's Office suite. Today, Microsoft's domination is so complete that, from the public's point of view, there is almost no "word-processor market." (Does anyone remember Lotus Manuscript?)
In fact, Microsoft's word processing program got off to a shaky and awkward start in October 1983, and it didn't become all-consuming until at least five years later. Even as Word adopted the market-leading position, it suffered its share of stinging criticisms and setbacks. This is the story, briefly, of how Microsoft Word evolved on its 25-year journey from obscure upstart to Absolute King of the (Software) World.



Read more at the Source: PC World - Microsoft Word Turns 25

LOL, this brings back many memories.

Yeah. I remember the early versions.

They really got it right with 2007!!!

Happy Birthday Word!

WOW word has been around for 25 years, I was 1 years old when it first came out.

Blimey I didn't know it had been around that long, my youngest of 4 was 2 then

I started with Microsoft WorkSuite 2001

I miss Lotus Word Pro.

I thought 2007 was a total disaster 2003 is my preferred version.

My users hate 2007. It adds 3-5 clicks to everything.

Hi all,

I'm afraid I can remember supporting Wordperfect on DOS and all word versions from 2 onwards I was present at the Wordperfect 6 UK launch, which was a DOS application that mimicked the windows look and feel, when all the talk was of how they were going to ignore this upstart Word from Microsoft. within a couple of years wordperfect had gone from No1 to also ran. I wonder what the next No1 will be? Things can change pretty fast in this game.

O I was great at 2003, and I started off hating 2007.

After I learned what I was doing in 2007 it really just makes it better and easier.

Everything is laid out nice and IMO I think it's less clicks than before.

But like many people with programs when a new one comes out and its different why bother changing or try to change when the version you have you know so well.