Filed under: Humor, Odds and ends, Found Footage
Found Footage: The Macintosh Software Dating Game (1983)
In 1983, Apple was trying to get software developers excited about the new Mac platform and a new way of working with computers. The YouTube video below shows highlights of an Apple event in which Steve Jobs plays the part of The Dating Game host Jim Lange, asking questions about software development to three bachelors software magnates -- Fred Gibbons of Software Publishing Company, Mitch Kapor of Lotus Development, and some guy named Bill Gates from Microsoft.
Of those three software giants, only Microsoft has really survived into the 21st Century. Software Publishing Company left the PC scene in 1994 and Lotus was assimilated into the corporate body of IBM.
The video has edited out most of the bits with Gibbons and Kapor, so you get to hear Bill Gates gush about how wonderful the Mac platform is and how Microsoft in 1983 honestly expected Macintosh software to account for one-half of their revenue.
It's a weird little video, and very indicative of the type of PR stunts that were popular in the early days of the digital revolution. Enjoy!
Tipped by a tweet from Dennis
Of those three software giants, only Microsoft has really survived into the 21st Century. Software Publishing Company left the PC scene in 1994 and Lotus was assimilated into the corporate body of IBM.
The video has edited out most of the bits with Gibbons and Kapor, so you get to hear Bill Gates gush about how wonderful the Mac platform is and how Microsoft in 1983 honestly expected Macintosh software to account for one-half of their revenue.
It's a weird little video, and very indicative of the type of PR stunts that were popular in the early days of the digital revolution. Enjoy!
Tipped by a tweet from Dennis
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Randy said 11:25AM on 1-29-2009
Wow, No way would Bill G. say any of those things today.
Reply
balls said 11:35AM on 1-29-2009
Why would you expect him to?
Bill has to tote the company line, just like Jobs does. When pushed to be honest (like in that NPR Interview a few years back) both would probably have glowing things to say about each others companies work.
Darren said 12:43PM on 1-29-2009
Sure he would! Of course, this was taped just before Microsoft announced Windows 1.0, even though it was 2 years before Windows 1.0 would ship, and 12 years before Windows would be usable.
Rob said 11:36AM on 1-29-2009
If you watch even recent interviews where Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are together - you can see they do have a lot of mutual respect for one another.
Reply
adam said 12:34PM on 1-29-2009
That's because they ripped each others throats out to get to where they are today.
Jon said 11:38AM on 1-29-2009
I love the way Bill Gates looks 12 years old in this video.
Reply
SubGenius said 3:02PM on 1-29-2009
...and tries to talk in a deep manly voice.
Nice try Skreech.
marc said 5:42PM on 1-29-2009
"I love the way Bill Gates looks 12 years old in this video."
Fucking creep!
Wheels said 11:58AM on 1-29-2009
"Of those three software giants, only Microsoft has really survived into the 21st Century."
That's because only the good die young.
Reply
Marshal said 12:03PM on 1-29-2009
Brilliant! I'm sure Billy G is not a fan of the editing
Reply
Nick K. said 1:30PM on 1-29-2009
(Stolen) Macintosh software accounts for 100% of Microsoft's revenue now.
Reply
Matt said 3:55PM on 1-30-2009
You are correct. Macintosh had the GUI first and Microsoft copied it and made windows.
Sikachu said 4:49PM on 1-29-2009
I like the last phrase :)
"Apple is red, IBM's blue. If Mac is going to be the next milestone, I need all of you."
That's really good how he rearranged the phrase :)
Reply
z-man said 5:54PM on 1-29-2009
strange little video indeed...
think about it...
I am watching a video from 1983 with Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Fred Gibbons, and Mitch Kapor playing a spin-off of The Dating game.... with mac software
day just got a little weird.....
Reply
ray said 7:29AM on 1-30-2009
Has anyone noticed how Steve's podium looks like it inspired the apple x-serve?!
Reply
Patriks7 said 5:35PM on 1-31-2009
Wow! If they wouldn't have said that's Steve Jobs, I would've thought it was one of the other guys! He looks completely different! On the other hand, Mr. Gates didn't really change much..
Reply
DaveMc said 3:28AM on 2-02-2009
Kapor owns a large portion of Realnetworks, as well as a few other companies.
Reply