Computer Chronicles Season 8, Episode 8: Consumer Buying Guide

The Global Software Market

As the decade of the nineties began, it became clear the United States was dominating the world software market. This program is an on-location report on an international software conference, presented by the Software Publishers Association, in Cannes, France. Guests include Bill Gates, Phillipe Kahn, Esther Dyson, Stewart Alsop, Heidi Roizen, Doug Carlston, and Kirk Loevner. http://archive.org/details/globalsw

30 min

Windows 3.0

The first major upgrade to Windows was the 3.0 version, launched in 1990. This program reviews Windows 3.0 , some competitive products, and it looks at some Windows add-ons designed to make it work better. Demonstrations include Windows 3.0, ToolBook 1.0 from Asymetrix, PowerPoint 2.0 for Windows, DR-DOS 5.0 from Digital Research, GEM from Digital Research, GEOS and Ensemble from GeoWorks, and ViewMax. Originally broadcast in September 1990. http://archive.org/details/windows30

30 min

Hypertext

Apple's Hypercard 2.0 brought new sophistication to the concept of hypertext, and laid the groundwork for the powerful Internet concept of hyperlinks. This program looks at new hypertext based applications including Hypercard 2.0, Hyperties 3.0, Spinnaker's PLUS 2.0, and Guide 3.0. Originally broadcast in 1990. http://archive.org/details/hypertext

30 min

Rebirth of the Home Computer

After disasters like IBM's PC Jr and the failure of PC companies like Texas Instruments and Atari, the future of home personal computers didn't look so good. But in 1990 a new generation of home PCs brought the business back. This program looks at the products that led to this rebirth, including the IBM PS/1, the Tandy 1000, the Magnavox Headstart, the Macintosh LC and the Mac Classic. Also includes coverage of the Commodore 64 and analysis from Dataquest. Originally broadcast in 1990. http://archive.org/details/homepcs

30 min

Palmtop Computers

In the eighties we moved from desktops to laptops; in the nineties we started to move from laptops to palmtops. This program looks at several handheld computing devices including Selectronics Word Finder Thesaurus, Berlitz Euro Traveler, Random House Encyclopedia, Franklin's Elementary Spelling Ace, Language Master 4000 Speaking Dictionary, Electronic Holy Bible, Sharper Image's Electronic Golf Game, Self Dialing Electrodex, Bridge Computer, Talking Translator, Sharp's Wizard OZ 8200, Casio's BOSS SF9500, Atari Portfolio, HP 17C and HP 19C. Guest host is Peter Nichols. Co-host is Tim Bajarin. Originally broadcast in 1990. http://archive.org/details/palmtops

30 min

Input Devices

While we now take a computer mouse for granted, fifteen years ago there was still a debate about what would be the ultimate pointing device. This program reviews several options including the PowerMouse, the MousePenPortable, Wacom's Cordless Digitzer, MicroSpeed's PC-TRAC trackball, the first optical mouse PCMouse III from Mouse Systems, the OmniMac Ultra, Elographics MonitorMouse, and Mac'n Touch and the UnMouse from MicroTouch. Originally broadcast in 1990. http://archive.org/details/inputdevices

30 min

The Amiga 3000

For fans of the Commodore Amiga, the introduction of the new Amiga 3000 was big news, even though the price tag was nearly $4,000. This program looked at the new Amiga computer and new third party appplications. Demonstrations include the Amiga 3000, the Amiga 2500, the AmigaVision authoring system, The Animation Studio, and the Video Toaster from NewTek. Also includes a visit to FAUG, the First Amiga Users Group, in Palo Alto. Guests include Paul Montgomery, Tim Jenison, Lou Wallace, and Hedley Davis. Originally broadcast in 1990. http://archive.org/details/amiga3000

30 min

Memory Management

There used to be a limit to the amount of memory you could have in a DOS based computer - 640k. But as new applications demanded more RAM, utilities came out to try and solve that problem. This program looks at solutions such as QEMM-386, Manifest, and Optimize from Quarterdeck. Also, 386Max 5.1, DESQview, OS/2 1.21, Virtual 2.0, and AutoCAD's DOS Extender. Originally broadcast in 1990. http://archive.org/details/memory_2

30 min

Video Game Consoles

Computers became a great platform for game players, but dedicated videogame consoles were even better. This program compares the various videogame platforms. Demonstrations include "Defender of the Crown" on an IBM PC, "SimEarth" on Mac IIci, "Michael Jackson Moonwalker" and "Mickey Mouse in the Castle of Illusion" on a Sega Genesis, "Super Mario Brothers 3" and "The Legend of Zelda" on a Nintendo, and "Bonk's Adventure and Ys" on an NEC TurboGrafx. Guests include Russel DeMaria, author of Sega Genesis Secrets, Nintendo Games Secrets, and Secrets of Game Boy. Also features a visit to Nintendo Powerfest and the Alladin's Castle Arcade. Originally broadcast in 1990. Copyright 1990 Stewart Cheifet Productions.

30 min

Viruses

Viruses are spreading to personal computers and causing havoc to individuals and businesses. A look at how to prevent viruses from destroying your system. Guests: John Dickinson, PC Labs; Andrew Seybold, Natl LAN Lab; Robert Capon, HJC Software; Jack Mc; Daniel, Magna; Dave Fischer, NASA Ames; Jim Mount, PME Labs; Gary Kildall, DRI Products/Demos: Flu Shot; Virex; Empower http://archive.org/details/viruses_3

30 min

Speech Technology

A look at voice recognition and speech synthesis technologies. Demonstrations include Dragon Dictate, the VPC 1000 Speech Recognition add-on board, Voice Navigator from Articulate Systems, Voice Express from MacSema, and the Berlitz Speaking Translator from Selectronics. Originally broadcast in 1990. http://archive.org/details/speech_2

30 min

Macros

As computer users discovered that many of the tasks they did on computers required repetitive commands, there became a growing interest in software that could record and automate a series of keystrokes. This program looks at several options for macros including PowerMacros for Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect Macros & Templates, Excel Macros, QuicKeys, AutoKey, and PowerMouse. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/macros_2

30 min

CD-ROM Software

In the early 1990's the computer industry settled on a CD-ROM standard and that fanned the growth of CD-ROMs as a storage medium. This program looks at several early CD-ROM applications including The Bureau of Electronic Publishing's U.S. History, Compton's Multimedia Encyclopedia, Warner New Media's String Quartet, the Computer Libray, Magazine Rack, the Health Reference Center, Semaphore's Zip4, and Mixed Up Mother Goose. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/cdroms_2

30 min

Sleeper Software

Most popular software titles get there as the result of an expensive sales and marketing campaign. Other programs are so popular they climb to the top of the charts just through word-of-mouth, or BBS chat. This program looks at several of these "sleeper" software programs that are worthy of note. Among the titles demonstrated are Commander Keen, PopDBF, Resident Task Manager, Prism, Pianoman, 4DOS, CommandPost, Windows Wallpaper, LCD 2.0, LJ2UP, MacBillboard, BigCheese, Ripper FKey, TappyType, Fish!, Globe, Solarian II, Melt DA, Address Book, FlashWrite, Stuffit, ToDo!, TidyItUp, DisKeeper, Red Ryder, White Knight, and Vietnam War. Guests include Jim Button, founder of the Association of Shareware Professionals. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/sleepersw

30 min

Flight Simulators

Consumer Electronics Show 1991

Highlights from the annual winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas featuring new personal technology products. Guest's include Nolan Bushnell and T/Maker CEO Heidi Roizen. Products covered include IBM PS/1, Commodore CD-TV, Kodak Photo CD, Sansui Robot CD Changer, Franklin Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, Brother Powernote, Laser PC-4, Sega GameGear and the Miracle Piano Teaching System from Software Toolworks. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/ces_2

30 min

Computers and Medicine

A look at how doctors and health professionals are using computer technology to change the practice of medicine. Demonstrations include Grateful Med; MDX Health Digest; Interactive Medical Record; DxR; Mammography Teaching File; a microprocessor controlled insulin pump; ImageQuest, a computer based system for doing opthalmological examinations; and a visit to the Health Care Information & Management Systems Society Conference in San Francisco. Guests include Dr. Bill Helvey, Dr. Edward Shultz, Dr. Hurley Myers, and Dr. Ralph Smathers. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/medicalcare

30 min

Scanners

With the growth of desktop publishing, scanners became an important new PC peripheral, with sales in the early 1990s growing at 250% per year. This program looks at several scanner options including Logitech's ScanMan, the AVR 3000/GS Plus from Advanced Vision Research, Epson's ES-300C, Sharp's JX-600, the SpeedScanner from Array Technologies, the Caere handheld scanner, and HP's ScanJet Plus. Guest cohost is Heidi Roizen of T/Maker. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/scanners

30 min

Computers and Sports

Software in the Schools

With computer hardware showing up in just about every school, this program looks at software applications designed for the school environment. Included are demonstrations of KidPix, NuberMaze, ReadingMaze, Math Blaster Mystery, Point of View, MediaWorks, and Super Solvers Outnumbered. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/schoolsw

30 min

Fonts City

The advent of desktop publishing software got people thinking about fonts and the endless choice of ways to present text on a computer. This program looks at the art of font selection. Demonstrations include WordPerfect, PostScript, HP LaserJet III, TypeAlign, Type On Call, Adobe Type Manager, MacWrite, Apple StyleWriter, Apple LaserWriter, Bitstream's FaceLift, and FontMonger. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/fonts_2

30 min

Network Security

As local area networks grew, so did concerns for network security. This program looks at some early solutions. Demonstrations include FileGuard 2.5 for the Mac, MaccessCard, PhoneNET Liaison 3.0, SiteLock, SecurID, and MailSafe. Guests include security expert and author Cliff Stoll. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/networksecur

30 min

Computer Bowl III: Part 1

The third annual Computer Bowl with East coast geeks up against West coast nerds to see who knows more about computer trivia. West coast team: Philippe Kahn, Heidi Roizen, Ed Juge, Dave House, David Liddle. East coast team: John Markoff, Pamela McCorduck, John Armstrong, James Clark, Samuel Fuller. Guest questioner: Bill Gates. Host: Stewart Cheifet. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/computerbowl

30 min

Computer Bowl III: Part 2

The conclusion of the third annual Computer Bowl contest, held as a fund-raiser for the Computer Museum of Boston. The game pits a team from the east coast against a squad from the west coast to see who knows more about computer trivia. Contestants include John Markoff, Dave House, Ed Juge, Pamela McCorduck, Heidi Roizen, and Philippe Kahn. The judges are John Doerr and Pat McGovern. The questioners are Bill Gates and Stewart Cheifet. The event occurred at the San Jose Convention Center. Originally broadcast in 1991. Copyright 1991. http://archive.org/details/episode_851

30 min

Neural Networks

Neural networks are artificial intelligence systems modeled after the human brain. This program looks at several examples and applications. Included are Braincel 1.1 from Promised Land Technologies, BrainMaker Professional 2.0 from California Scientific Software, MacBrain 3.0 from Neurix, NeuroSMARTS from Cognition Technology, and ExploreNet from HNC. Also includes visits to NASA and Intel to see the work they're doing on neural networks. Originally broadcast in 1991. http://archive.org/details/neuralnetwor

30 min