Web retro: The first stumbling steps of Microsoft.com back in 1994-1998
Posted in Main on August 14th, 2009 by Pingdom
This is what Microsoft’s homepage looked back in 1994 when it was first launched, and its evolution during the following years.
Scroll down for a closer look at the seven first versions of Microsoft.com and some very retro web design.
April 1994 – August 1995
Daily page views: 124,655
Servers: 3
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August 1995 – November 1995
Daily page views: 391,243
Servers: 4
—
November 1995 – June 1996
Daily page views:1,434,274
Servers: 6
—
June 1996 – August 1996
Daily page views: 3,734,804
Servers: 12
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August 1996 – November 1996
Daily page views: 6,669,810
Servers: 16
—
November 1996 – September 1997
Daily page views: 20,000,000
Servers: 19
—
September 1997 – November 1998
Daily page views: 38,183,998
Servers: 29
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And for some perspective…
Today
Daily page views: Unknown, but Microsoft.com is the 17th most popular site in the world according to Alexa.com.
Servers: Unknown number.
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There’s been some evolution, we dare say. 
The New England Patriots held what seemed to be a commanding lead (17-15) with five minutes left of Super Bowl XLVI last night. But the New York Giants came back and managed to win with 21-17.
As Super Bowl 46 is approaching, fans will flock to the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, and to TV sets around the world to follow the New York Giants battle it out with the New England Patriots.
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John H
August 15th, 2009 at 1:29 am
DejaVu….all over again!!
Chales Kane
August 16th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Regrettably I remember some of those monstrosities. They must have tried every possible emphasis for “Where do you want to go today?” which surely was the worst company slogan EVER devised, quite meaningless, nearly a tongue twister, way too long etc.
But – look at the most recent site – it’s a mess too! Top bar, (Space), Bing bar, (different Space), broad metally menu bar, (mini Space), big block with 2 awkward vertical text strips, (another different space), Black (why black?) news bar, (space – bigger than all the others), then a triple column split which matches nothing else on the page. Sheesh.
And what oh what is: “Your potential. Our passion.*”
I’ll tell you what – rubbish words.
billg
August 16th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
There is more detail here:
http://www.microsoft.com/misc/features/features_flshbk.htm
Anis Maharjan
August 30th, 2009 at 6:49 am
WOw!! A Real evolution has took place… Great work Microsoft…