An Open Letter to Hobbyists

Computer Notes July 1975 pg1

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Altair BASIC Paper Tape

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Bill Gates Letter to Hobbyists ocr

Apple 1 Advertisement Oct 1976

An Open Letter to Hobbyists was a seminal document written by Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, addressing the early community of personal computer hobbyists. The letter, penned on February 3, 1976, was a pivotal moment in the software industry, marking the beginning of the end for the widespread acceptance of software piracy within the hobbyist community. Gates's letter was a plea to those who were using Microsoft's Altair BASIC without having paid for it, emphasizing the importance of software as a valuable commodity and the need for its creators to be compensated for their work.

Background

In the mid-1970s, the personal computer industry was in its infancy, with the MITS Altair 8800 being one of the first commercially available personal computers. Microsoft, then a small software company, had developed Altair BASIC, an interpreter for the Altair computer. This software quickly became popular among computer hobbyists, many of whom copied and distributed it without paying Microsoft. At the time, the concept of software as a product that should be purchased was not widely accepted, and the sharing of software among hobbyists was common practice.

Content of the Letter

In "An Open Letter to Hobbyists," Gates expressed his frustration with the widespread piracy of Microsoft's software. He argued that software development required significant time and resources, and without financial returns, developers could not afford to continue creating new software. Gates pointed out that the expectation for software to be free was unfair to developers who needed to make a living from their work. He famously stated, "As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software," highlighting the extent of the issue.

Impact

The letter sparked significant debate within the hobbyist community. Some saw Gates's points as valid and began to advocate for the commercialization of software, recognizing the need for software developers to be compensated. Others viewed the letter as an attack on the collaborative and open nature of the hobbyist culture. Despite the mixed reactions, the letter was a critical step towards the establishment of software copyright and the commercial software industry. It helped to shift the perception of software from a shared resource to a valuable product, laying the groundwork for the software licensing models that are common today.

Legacy

"An Open Letter to Hobbyists" is considered a turning point in the history of computing. It highlighted the conflict between the open sharing ethos of the early computing community and the commercial interests of software developers. This letter not only impacted Microsoft's future but also influenced the broader software industry's approach to copyright and distribution. Today, the letter is studied as a key document in the history of computing, illustrating the challenges and debates surrounding the commercialization of software in the early days of the personal computer revolution.

An Open Letter to Hobbyists Resources
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