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Microsoft Home was a line of software applications and personal hardware products published by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Home software titles first appeared in the middle of 1993 . These applications were designed to bring multimedia to Microsoft Windows and Macintosh personal computers and, by 1994 , more than 60 products were available in the Microsoft Home line. The success of the Microsoft Windows operating system could be attributed to the availability and range of Microsoft Home software. The range of software catered for many different consumer interests from gaming with Microsoft Arcade and Entertainment Packs to reference titles such as Microsoft Encarta , Bookshelf and Cinemania . Shortly after the release of Microsoft Windows 95 , the company began to reduce the price of Microsoft Home products and by 1998 , Microsoft began to phase out the line of software. Today, Microsoft Home products can still be found on EBay every once in a while, and they are beginning to fetch collector prices. However, some of them are available for download on the Internet. TITLES Microsoft Home produced software for all different uses and environments. The products were divided into five categories: Reference & Exploration, Entertainment, Kids, Home & Small Business Management, Sounds, Sights & Gear. The category in which the product was divided is identifiable by the package. Generally, Reference & Exploration products have a purple base color, Entertainment has a black base color, Kids has a yellow base color, Home & Small Business Management has a green color and Sounds, Sights & Gear products have a grey or red base color. Note that many applications were developed in conjunction with other reputable software and reference companies. For example, Microsoft Musical Instruments was developed with Dorling Kindersley . Reference & Exploration Microsoft Home Reference products brought information to Multimedia Personal Computers - it was an effective way of presenting and exploring information before the World Wide Web became mainstream. These products were embellished with Hyperlink navigation systems, which were relatively new at this time. Most of these products were released on CD-ROM , giving the software the ability to display high-resolution graphics and animations, and play high-quality waveforms and MIDI files. These products proved that personal computers would revolutionize the way that we find and explore information. Entertainment In the early 1990's, games on personal computers generally ran on the outdated MS-DOS Operating System. However, with the introduction of Microsoft Windows 3.1x in 1992, Microsoft Home published several entertainment applications that implemented the new technologies of Microsoft Windows. Furthermore, these applications encouraged the Computer Gamers of the time to migrate from MS-DOS to Microsoft Windows. This transition permitted better use of computer graphics, revolutionized Game Programming and resulted in a more realistic gaming experience. For example, Microsoft Windows Entertainment Pack Games have remained a classic for computer gamers, ever since their development in the early 1990's. Kids Microsoft Home's software for kids was popular not only for home use, but also in school and educational institutions. Microsoft proved that the personal computer should not be daunting, but can be used by the whole family. Tying in with the TV series, Microsoft Scholastic's The Magical School Bus was a highly successful series that continued to be sold after Microsoft Home's kids range of software turned into a subsidiary called Microsoft Kids . Home & Small Business Management Sights, Sounds & Gear Other & Unsorted (Currently being Updated)
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The system requirements for Microsoft Home software, by today's standards, is relatively modest. Platforms The Microsoft Home software series was designed to run on a variety of operating system platforms. The different platforms that have been implemented in Microsoft Home software include:
Media Configurations Titles could come in several different media configurations:
Generally the floppy-disk software packages also include a disk order coupon for users of low-density floppy disk drives or 5.25" drives. Recommended System Requirements From Microsoft Home Software Catalog Winter/Spring 1995; Multimedia PC To run Microsoft CD-ROM multimedia products, you need:
Microsoft Windows-Compatible To run Microsoft products for Windows, you need:
Microsoft MS-DOS-Compatible To run Microsoft products for MS-DOS, you need:
Macintosh Series To run Microsoft products for the Macintosh, you need:
(CD-ROM drive required for multimedia products.)
Sample System Requirements Microsoft Scenes 2.0 Sierra Wildlife Collection - Wallpaper and Screensaver Manager Software From the back of the box: To use the Microsoft Scenes Sierra Club Wildlife Collection you need:
Note: This package includes 3.5" high-density disks and a coupon for 5.25" high-density disks. REFERENCES
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