Starikov Yury

Yury Starikov is the first Soviet citizen who became the employee of Microsoft company.

In 1989 Yury got a job in JV Dialog company which the same year held the first conference of Microsoft in the USSR. During the conference the agreement between JV Dialog and Microsoft on localization of MS-DOS and Microsoft PC Works was signed. In the contract it was told about creation in a year of the Russian version of MS-DOS 4.01 and the Russian Works 2.0 in half a year.

On the presentation of Russian DOS 4.01 11 of April, 1990 to Moscow the head of Microsoft Bill Gates arrived. Next day, on April 12, the presentation took place.

In 1990 Yury Starikov for the first time visited Seattle where he took part in completion of development of the Russian Works 2.0 then he received the offer to work in Microsoft. "I returned to Moscow on September 18, 1990, - Starikov tells. - I already knew that I will work in Microsoft that it is only necessary to wait for when all formalities are approved".

However, there was an unexpected problem. At that time in the USA and the countries of NATO for the Soviet citizens there was a restriction for work in the field of new technologies (the list KOK). Microsoft found a legal way out - opened the development center in Ireland which was not included into NATO. Fulfilled two years of Old men in Ireland.

In December, 1992 limits were lifted and Starikov moved to Seattle.

In 1989-92 the foundation of all localized Russian products of Microsoft, including terminology was laid. "In 1989 there were many disputes - whether to translate the word "file", - Starikov says. - Thank God that we decided not to translate it". Then the Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian keyboard was thought up.

There were big disagreements how to translate the word icon. It was offered to use the word "icon", but nobody wanted to enter the conflict with Russian Orthodox Church. Therefore decided to stop on the word "icon".

Yury Starikov worked on localization of products of Microsoft till 1992. Then he took part in development of global products - Windows NT, Outlook Express (it was created by 10 people, four of whom were Russians). Starikov left Microsoft in 1994, but then returned and works in the company still. Is engaged in development of Windows Media Center.

Sources

• DOS, Works, Windows … - Yury Starikov's website
• Video interview with Yury Starikov