# Visi On

> Visi On was a graphical User Interface for MS-DOS from the software producer Visicorp.

**Wikidata**: [Q462519](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q462519)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visi_On)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/visi-on

## Summary  
Visi On was a graphical user interface (GUI) for MS-DOS developed by VisiCorp, released in December 1983. It allowed users to interact with DOS-based systems through visual elements like windows and icons rather than command-line inputs. Visi On was one of the early attempts at bringing GUI functionality to IBM PC-compatible computers.

## Key Facts  
- Released on **December 16, 1983**  
- Developed by **VisiCorp**  
- Classified as a **graphical user interface for MS-DOS**  
- Instance of: **Operating system**  
- Aliases: **VisiOn**  
- Supported file format: **Visi On Overlay**  
- Available on Wikipedia in languages: **German, English, Japanese, Dutch**  
- Wikidata ID: **Q17105637**  
- Freebase ID: **/m/03fxx4**

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Visi On?  
A: Visi On is a graphical user interface designed for MS-DOS, created by VisiCorp. It enabled users to navigate their computer using visual components such as windows and icons instead of typing commands into a terminal.

### Q: When was Visi On released?  
A: Visi On was officially released on December 16, 1983.

### Q: Who developed Visi On?  
A: Visi On was developed by VisiCorp, a software company known for productivity applications during the early personal computing era.

## Why It Matters  
Visi On holds historical importance as one of the earliest graphical interfaces for IBM PC-compatible systems running MS-DOS. At a time when most users interacted with computers via text-based commands, Visi On introduced windowing capabilities that foreshadowed later developments like Microsoft Windows and IBM's TopView. Though not widely adopted due to high system requirements and limited application support, it represented a significant step toward modern GUI-based operating environments. Its influence can be seen in how it pushed competitors to accelerate development of more refined and accessible graphical platforms.

## Notable For  
- Being among the first GUIs for MS-DOS on IBM PC compatibles  
- Introducing multitasking capabilities within a windowed environment  
- Requiring significantly more memory and processing power than typical DOS programs  
- Influencing the design trajectory of future GUI platforms including Microsoft Windows  

## Body  

### Overview  
Visi On was a pioneering attempt to bring graphical user interface technology—popularized by Xerox PARC and Apple’s Lisa and Macintosh—to mainstream IBM PC-compatible computers running MS-DOS. Developed and marketed by VisiCorp, it aimed to simplify interaction with DOS without abandoning compatibility with existing software.

### Development and Release  
Development began in the early 1980s, shortly after VisiCorp had established itself with popular business software like VisiCalc. Visi On was formally launched on **December 16, 1983**, positioning it ahead of Microsoft Windows 1.0, which debuted in November 1985.

### Technical Requirements  
Unlike many contemporary DOS programs, Visi On demanded substantial hardware resources:
- Minimum RAM requirement: **512 KB**
- Recommended RAM: **640 KB**
- Required graphics capability: **CGA or better**
These demands made it inaccessible to average home users but targeted business professionals who could afford upgraded machines.

### Features  
Visi On offered several advanced features for its time:
- Multi-tasking environment allowing multiple applications to run simultaneously
- Window management with resizing and overlapping capabilities
- Built-in applications including file manager, calendar, notepad, and communications tools
- Support for overlays to extend core functionalities

### Market Reception and Legacy  
Despite its innovation, Visi On struggled commercially due to performance limitations, lack of third-party application support, and competition from cheaper alternatives. However, it played a role in setting expectations for what GUIs should offer, indirectly pressuring companies like Microsoft and IBM to improve their own offerings.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013