REDMOND, Wash. — April 1, 1995 — Microsoft today announced the release
of Joe-Bob(tm), a new software package that the company hopes will open up
a huge untapped computer market. With the motto The software for the rest
of yall(tm), Joe-Bob reaches out to the same demographic group that buys
4x4s, supports the gun lobby, and drinks Miller Lite.
Computers have been commonly seen as for leftists and intellectuals,
explains Microsoft spokesperson Willy Maclean, but weve recently seen
people like Newt Gingrinch embracing new technology — the time is right
for the rest of America to get wired!
Instead of a desktop or office metaphor, Joe-Bob(tm) puts the user in a
garage. Click on the Lynyrd Skynyrd tapes, and get a complete music library
in digital stereo. Click on the pinups, and get hooked up to the Internets
hottest gifs, the promotional materials explain.
The package does not include a word processor or spreadsheet, but does have
software that keeps track of the football season, lists the best roadhouses
between Florida and Nevada, and can even order spareribs and beer at the
click of a mouse.
This is righteous software, man, says beta-tester Billy Grugg. It thinks
like I think. Brad Cunningham agrees: I take it everywhere, he says,
pointing to a Pentium laptop racked under his 12-gauge in his pickup truck.
Microsoft is offering desktop users a special clip-on beer holder for their
monitors.
Look at whats popular out there, says Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
Four of the top-10 Usenet newsgroups are about sex, and splatter video
games like Doom and Mortal Kombat are bestsellers. Were just catering to
a demand, thats all.
Microsoft is reportedly distributing badges and bumper stickers saying
things like Go Microsoft — Go Intel — Go America, and QuickTime is
for Pinko Hippie Wimps.