Is my memory better than that of Mr Gates ? I am so old, I can remember using desktop computers before the IBM-pc was introduced. These early desk-top microcomputers ( as they were called, to differentiate from the "under the desk" minis in use at that time) gave the option of using either MS-DOS or CPM as operating systems. I am fairly sure this early MS-DOS included CTRL ALT DEL. It was a Gates invention, before IBM became involved. I still have a 5¼" boot disk somewhere, but no microcomputer to run it. Can any of our mature readers confirm if any part of my memory is correct ? Oh ! nostalgia,,,,,,,

bumpkin, on 28 Sept 2013 - 19:21, said:

Is my memory better than that of Mr Gates ? I am so old, I can remember using desktop computers before the IBM-pc was introduced. These early desk-top microcomputers ( as they were called, to differentiate from the "under the desk" minis in use at that time) gave the option of using either MS-DOS or CPM as operating systems. I am fairly sure this early MS-DOS included CTRL ALT DEL. It was a Gates invention, before IBM became involved. I still have a 5¼" boot disk somewhere, but no microcomputer to run it. Can any of our mature readers confirm if any part of my memory is correct ? Oh ! nostalgia,,,,,,,

The CTRL ALT DEL key combo was being intercepted by the BIOS during the MS-DOS days and had nothing to do with the operating system. It's purpose was to reboot the computer (stil does actually). Starting from Windows 3.1 this combo would invoke the task-manager and later it was used for the Windows Logon procedure plus other tasks..

A number of years ago there was a great joke making the rounds: "What if Bill Gates had designed the automobile."

Does anybody still have it?

Is this it?

http://www.laughbreak.com/lists/if_microsoft_built_cars.html

Close, but not all the tag lines I remember.

I think the big step for Bill, on the road to his recovery, is to admit "windows" was a mistake too, but that would leave him a few billion short...no doubt. Microsoft......The fourth dimension....monopolizing the future of computing.