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> Even before PCs, computers typically shipped with BASIC, which was their operating system of sort. Sure. In the 80's, all the IBM PC compatibles I dealt with
by BeetleB 1mo ago
> Even before PCs, computers typically shipped with BASIC, which was their operating system of sort.
Sure. In the 80's, all the IBM PC compatibles I dealt with shipped with BASIC in their ROM. But I don't think they charged a licensing fee for it.
- jasomill 1mo agoMaybe not, but as I understand it, languages were one of Gates' key bargaining chips in negotiating the terms of the MS/PC-DOS deal that put Microsoft in a position to start licensing to OEM's on a per-CPU basis in the first place.
- BeetleB 1mo agoI'm pretty sure the BASIC that launched from my ROM was not from Microsoft...
- Telaneo 1mo agoIt was if it was an IBM machine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_BASIC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_BASIC
- BeetleB 1mo agoYes, but most people bought IBM Compatibles, not IBM. I don't think I know anyone who bought an actual IBM PC.
- themadturk 1mo agoCassette BASIC was exclusive to early IBM PCs, XTs and PC Jrs. PCs like Compaq's, with their very, very compatible BIOS, didn't have BASIC in ROM.
- BeetleB 1mo agoI had an XT. Not IBM. It had BASIC ROM. Everyone I know who had an XT (8088 or 8086) had BASIC in the ROM. None was IBM and all were different companies. I don't think Compaq even made XTs, did they?
- themadturk 1mo agoActually (and I'm being pedantic here, I admit), only IBM made an XT, the others were all XT-clones or compatibles. And you could get a compatible ROM that contained BASIC. I also owned a non-IBM XT clone, which did not have BASIC in ROM.