Pirates Of Silicon Valley

Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s)

I had heard through many websites and other places about the movie detailing the rise of Apple Computer and Microsoft. It is a sort of documentary, but more like a movie? Found a copy (on VHS, which was weird) at the Library, and watched it last night with Jen. There were some strange parts, but overall it was great. We loved it! Those are two strange guys (Steve Jobs (Apple) and Bill Gates (Mircrosoft)) with crazy stories.

First, Apple tricked Xerox into showing them all the tricks about this cool graphical user interface that they had developed. So Apple “stole” the OS from Xerox. Then, in a cunning move, Microsoft convinced Apple to let them help them develop software for the new Macintosh. Apple gave them three prototype computers from which the Microsoft guys pirated the Operating System, and claimed it as their own. And thus was born Windows.

Best part of the movie… after Steve Jobs finds out that Gates and Co. have sold the Mac OS as their own OS, and are shipping computers using that software, they argue a bit. Both are apparently hot tempered guys. Finally, Jobs gives up. He admits defeat, but he says as Gates is leaving:

“We’re better than you, you know. Our stuff is better.”

Gates replies, “You just don’t get it! That doesn’t matter!“

And Gates leaves, and the movie ends with Gates being the richest person in the world. 🙂

I just thought it was classic. And so true. Apple is creative, original, and always pushing the limits of technology. Microsoft pilfers the OS and brands it, and knows how to create demand for their product. It doesn’t matter that Apple is better… Microsoft still won. For now. 🙂

Ha ha. It was a fun movie for an Apple fan, and probably just a computer geek in general. I recommend. Click the link above to purchase from Amazon, if you are so inclined. 🙂