About this season
The Computer Chronicles was an American television series, broadcast during 1981-2002 on Public Broadcasting Service public television, which documented the rise of the personal computer from its infancy to the immense market at the turn of the 21st century. The series was created in the Fall of 1981, by Stewart Cheifet, then the station manager of the College of San Mateo's KCSM-TV, initially broadcast as a local weekly series. Jim Warren was its founding host for its 1981-1982 season. It aired continuously from 1981 to 2002 with Cheifet co-hosting most of its later seasons. Gary Kildall served as co-host for six years providing insights and commentary on products as well as discussions on the future of the ever-expanding personal computer sphere.
Episodes (28)
1. MacWorld Boston 1996
Aired 24 October 1996
On-location coverage of the 1996 annual MacWorld Expo in Boston.
2. Cyber Cafes
Aired 1 October 1996
As the Internet continued to take hold, new hangouts called cyber cafes started opening up where you could surf the web and just pay by the minute.
3. Internet Telephony
Aired 8 October 1996
If you can send data over the internet, why not voice, and if voice, why not phone calls, and if phone calls, why not video phone calls?
4. Search Engines
Aired 15 October 1996
An early pre-Google look at search engine technology. Featured are DataQuest, Alta Vista, Zip 2, Autonomy, Pointcast, and The Angle.
5. IT Forum, Paris
Aired 22 October 1996
6. Cyber Politics
Aired 29 October 1996
A review of the growing use of the internet and computers in political campaigns in 1996.
7. Online Shopping
Aired 5 November 1996
A look at early online shopping sites in 1996 including Amazon, onsale.com, CyberCash, NetRadio, Verisign and Cybergold.
8. ETRE Conference Berlin
Aired 12 November 1996
On-location coverage of the 1996 annual European Technology Roundtable Exhibition conference in Berlin.
9. Consumer's Buying Guide
Aired 3 December 1996
Our 1996 annual review of the coolest new high-tech gadgets for the holiday season.
10. Digital Photography
Aired 10 December 1996
Digital photography got its start in the mid 1990's. This program looks at early examples of digital photography hardware and software.
11. Computer Games
Aired 31 December 1996
A review of the best new computer games of the year 1996.
12. Internet TV
Aired 7 January 1997
After hearing about convergence for years, the television and the computer finally have started to merge, with video images moving on to the PC and web pages showing up on the TV.
13. Comdex Special 1996
Aired 14 January 1997
A look at the best new products introduced at the 1996 annual COMDEX computer trade show in Las Vegas.
14. Wireless Computing
Aired 27 January 1997
15. Sports Simulation Software
Aired 28 January 1997
A review of new sports software that lets couch potatoes feel like athletes.
16. Cyber Dating
Aired 4 February 1997
One of the most popular early uses of the Internet was finding a date. This program looks at some of the first sites that offered to find that special someone.
17. Consumer Electronics Show 1997
Aired 11 February 1997
On-location coverage of the 1997 annual winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
18. Airline Magazine Software
Aired 18 February 1997
19. E-Mail
Aired 25 February 1997
20. Computers and the Disabled
Aired 4 March 1997
The computer revolution was great, but it presented real challenges to disabled people who found new barriers to accessing information. This program looks at several solutions to those challenges.
21. Cyber Music
Aired 11 March 1997
A review of hardware and software that can turn your personal computer into a music studio.
22. SPA Codie Awards 1997
Aired 25 March 1997
Coverage of the 1997 annual Codie Awards presented by the Software Publishers Association.
23. Cyber Art
Aired 15 April 1997
24. Cyber Security
Aired 22 April 1997
With more and more computers becoming terminals on the internet, concerns were growing for internet security.
25. Website Creation
Aired 6 May 1997
26. Computer Bowl IX: Part 1
Aired 3 June 1997
27. Computer Bowl IX: Part 2
Aired 10 June 1997
28. Internet Showcase Special
Aired 24 June 1997