The blog post explores hidden "Easter eggs" within the 8-bit BASIC interpreters Bill Gates co-authored for the Altair 8800, Apple II, and other early personal computers. These undocumented features, accessible through specific inputs or memory locations, include messages like a copyright notice listing Gates and Paul Allen, a list of developers who worked on the interpreter, and even a small game called DONKEY.BAS, which challenged players to avoid hitting donkeys with a car. The author discovered these secrets through reverse engineering and experimentation, highlighting a playful and less-known side of Gates's early programming career. The Easter eggs serve as a fascinating glimpse into the history of personal computing and the personalities behind its creation.
In a 2008 blog post titled "Bill Gates's Personal Easter Eggs in 8 Bit BASIC," author Michal Thompson delves into the fascinating world of hidden messages and playful signatures left by Bill Gates and his early Microsoft colleagues within the code of the original 8-bit BASIC interpreters for various microcomputers. Thompson meticulously documents and analyzes these "Easter Eggs," showcasing the lighthearted and occasionally mischievous spirit of the young programmers who built the foundations of the personal computer revolution.
The article focuses primarily on the Easter Eggs found in the Altair BASIC, Commodore PET BASIC, and TRS-80 Model I BASIC interpreters, all based on the original Microsoft 8-bit BASIC. Thompson explains how these hidden gems could be revealed, often through specific, undocumented commands or by manipulating memory locations directly. These techniques, accessible to anyone willing to experiment and explore the inner workings of their machines, provided a glimpse behind the curtain and a sense of connection to the creators of this foundational software.
One significant Easter Egg explored in detail is the display of the names of the Microsoft BASIC development team, triggered by a secret command or memory peek. This playful act of self-recognition allowed Gates and his team to subtly acknowledge their work while simultaneously adding a layer of intrigue for curious users. The article carefully outlines the specific steps required to reveal these names on each of the mentioned platforms, highlighting subtle variations in implementation across different machines.
Beyond the team roster Easter Egg, Thompson discusses other hidden messages and quirks, including humorous copyright notices and cryptic strings of characters, further reinforcing the playful nature of the early Microsoft team. He also mentions the ethical implications of including such hidden elements within commercial software, acknowledging the potential for conflict with intellectual property rights while simultaneously recognizing the historical and cultural significance of these now-retro computing artifacts. The article concludes by marveling at the enduring legacy of these early BASIC interpreters and the ingenuity of the programmers who imbued them with such personality and charm. By preserving and documenting these Easter Eggs, Thompson offers a captivating glimpse into the formative years of the personal computer industry and the individuals who shaped its future.
Summary of Comments ( 26 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43806491
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed appreciation for the historical context and nostalgia surrounding Gates's Easter eggs, with some sharing personal anecdotes of discovering them in their youth. A few pointed out that these Easter eggs, alongside the overall accessibility of early BASIC interpreters, played a role in inspiring a generation of programmers. Some discussed the technical limitations of the time and how Gates cleverly worked within them to create these hidden messages. The discussion also touched upon the shift in software development culture, contrasting the playful nature of these Easter eggs with the more corporate and security-conscious environment of today. A recurring sentiment was that such personal touches are now rare in modern software. Finally, several commenters corrected some technical details in the original article, such as the actual size of the Easter egg message displayed, and the mechanisms by which they were triggered.
The Hacker News post discussing Bill Gates' Easter Eggs in 8-bit BASIC has a moderate number of comments, exploring various aspects of the original blog post and offering additional context.
Several commenters reminisce about their early experiences with BASIC and the excitement of discovering these hidden messages. One user recounts the thrill of finding these Easter eggs as a kid, highlighting the impact such small details had on young programmers. This nostalgia is a recurring theme, with others sharing similar stories of exploring and modifying BASIC code in their youth.
A few comments delve into the technical details of the Easter eggs, discussing the methods used to hide them and the challenges of discovering them without access to source code or debuggers. One commenter specifically points out the cleverness of embedding messages within the error handling routines, making them less likely to be accidentally stumbled upon during normal use.
Some users discuss the broader cultural significance of these Easter eggs, viewing them as a reflection of the playful and experimental nature of early computing culture. They contrast this with the more corporate and less personal software development landscape of today. One commenter draws a parallel to the demoscene, highlighting the shared ethos of creative coding and pushing the boundaries of hardware limitations.
There's a brief discussion about the legality and ethics of including such hidden messages in commercial software, with some arguing that it could be considered a form of unauthorized code execution. However, others dismiss this concern, given the harmless nature of the Easter eggs and the context of the time.
A couple of comments provide additional anecdotes about Bill Gates and early Microsoft, offering further insight into the company's history and culture. One commenter shares a story about a different Easter egg related to the Microsoft BASIC interpreter for the Apple II, further illustrating the prevalence of these hidden messages in early Microsoft software.
Finally, several commenters express appreciation for the original blog post and the preservation of these pieces of computing history. They acknowledge the importance of documenting and sharing such details to provide a deeper understanding of the evolution of software development.