An Open Letter to Hobbyists
"An Open Letter to Hobbyists" is a 1976 open letter written by Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, to early personal computer hobbyists, in which Gates expresses dismay at the rampant software piracy taking place in the hobbyist community, particularly with regard to his company's software.
Altair 8K BASIC on paper tape. This was a popular storage medium before the invention of the low-cost floppy disk.
Ad for the Apple I computer, noting Apple's policy of providing free or inexpensive software for its computers.
Homebrew Computer Club Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 1, January 31, 1976
William Henry Gates III is an American businessman, investor, philanthropist, and writer best known for co-founding the software giant Microsoft, along with his childhood friend Paul Allen. During his career at Microsoft, Gates held the positions of chairman, chief executive officer (CEO), president, and chief software architect, while also being its largest individual shareholder until May 2014. He was a pioneer of the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s.
Gates in 2023
Gates (right) with Paul Allen seated at Teletype Model 33 ASR terminals in Lakeside School, 1970
MITS Altair 8800 Computer with 8-inch (200 mm) floppy disk system whose first programming language was Microsoft's founding product, Altair BASIC
Gates delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, January 2008.
