Al Bsharah Business Minded, Technically Inclined

Microsoft and Apple – Still Playing Nice After All These Years

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I happened to be digging through my garage somewhat recently, and ran across my
Apple ][+ (of the Apple ][ Series) computer (and it’s green monitor, and dual floppy drives, and joystick, etc).  I’ll do an update to that experience later…  But for now, I want to share something for all the people out there who believe there’s some sort of cold war between Microsoft and Apple </sarchasm>

Proof that Apple and Microsoft CAN play nice together!
Proof that Apple and Microsoft CAN play nice together!

I was quite pleased somewhat recently when I purchased a Mac Mini and found that my Microsoft Wireless Mouse and Keyboard worked flawlessly with it.  Saves me the hassle and monetary pain of buying something Apple-branded…and I can just get a USB switch to swap between my PC and Mac.  Beauty!  “Apple and Microsoft are playing nice”, I thought to myself.

Then the garage project happened.  As I started digging, I found something that made me stare in shock and awe.

I don’t recall specifically what this chip is for, but I think it might have had something to do with when I upgraded my 48KB memory to a whopping 64KB.  Oh yeah, memory to the max people.  Regardless, I found a couple spare chips in my trip down Apple ][+ memory lane.  One of those chips happened to have both Apple and Microsoft inscribed on it!

Microsoft and Apple on the same chip!
Microsoft and Apple on the same chip!

Amazing, I thought to myself.  Not only are they in secret cahoots today…but Apple and Microsoft have been scheming against us since the late-70’s and early-80’s!  How long has this conspiracy been going on?  How many other instances of this unholy union exist?  Remember Apple’s first programming language?  What do you get when you merge the names “Apple” and “Microsoft”?  Applesoft BASIC (confirmed to be provided by Microsoft)!  Oh, the humanity…

<chuckle>  It’s not so bad, is it?

About the author

Al Bsharah

Al is the Managing Partner at Interlock Capital, a community-driven startup fund that allows seasoned or aspiring angel investors to get into amazing companies within their own budget. Al’s been involved in multiple San Diego startups since 1999 after leaving the Detroit auto industry as an electrical engineer. He's started two of his own companies where he's raised capital from both VCs and angels, and sold one of them to both Seismic and Return Path. He's graduated both Techstars and Founder Institute accelerator programs where he now mentors. In his free time he manages to play a little beach volleyball, invest in startups, trade stocks, and camp with his wife, son, dog, and friends.

By Al Bsharah
Al Bsharah Business Minded, Technically Inclined