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 (26)
1. Laser Disk Storage
Aired 15 January 1985
Laser disks and optical storage devices are changing the way we can use computers. Demos: Pioneer Laser Disc Player, Astron Belt, Halcyon Home Entertainment Sys, Vidlink http://archive.org/details/Lasersan1985
2. Portable Computers
Aired 22 January 1985
The state of the art in portable computers in the mid 1980's. Products featured include the Morrow Pivot Portable, the Hewlett Packard HP110, the Texas Instrument Pro-Lite, and the Data General DG-1. https://archive.org/details/portablecomp https://archive.org/details/CC214_portable_computers
3. Computer Games
Aired 29 January 1985
A look at the newest computer games for PC users. Demos: Sargon III Chess Game, Millionaire Strategy Game, Pitfall, Zork ( Infocom), Ghostbusters http://archive.org/details/Computer1985_6
4. IBM Compatibles
Aired 5 February 1985
A comparative look at the new breed of IBM look-alikes. Demos: Radio Shack Tandy 1000, IBM PC, Ericsson PC, Compaq PC http://archive.org/details/IBMClone1985
5. Software Piracy
Aired 12 February 1985
Meet teenage software pirates, computer lawyers and the battle over software ownership. Guests: Mark Pump, Alpha Logic; Smith McKeithen, Activision; Frankie Mouse, Hacker; Neil Smith, Software Publish Assoc; John Draper (Captain Crunch); Gary Kildall, DRI Products/Demos: Locksmith, Cap'n Software, Easy Writer, MacWare. http://archive.org/details/Software1985
6. Computers and the Disabled
Aired 19 February 1985
A review of how computers are helping the blind and other disabled persons lead a better life. Guests: Peggy Barker, Children's Hospital; Susan Simpson, Prentke-Romich; Sue Melrose, Veterans Administr; Noel Runyan, Product Developer; Gary Kildall, DRI Products/Demos: Express 3, Chin Joystick, VersaBraille, Echo II Synthesizer, Kurzweil Reading Machine http://archive.org/details/Computer1985_7
7. UNIX
Aired 26 February 1985
AT&T's computer operating system is threatening to take over IBM's MS-DOS dominance. Guests: John Mashey, Bell Labs; Mark Sobell, Author; Bill Joy, Sun Microsystems; Doug Hartman, Hewlett Packard; Mike Denney, Basis; Gary Kildall, DRI Products/Demos: File It, HP Integral PC, UNIX. http://archive.org/details/UNIX1985
8. Computers and Sports
Aired 5 March 1985
From the dugout to the training room to the dining room, coaches and players and turning to computers to improve performance. Guests: Steve Boros, Oakland A's Manager; Billy Hicks, Qantel; Rich Anderson, Canada College; Bruce Brown, CompuTennis; Gary Kildall, DRI; Rick Bunch, Biomechanics Lab; Jeff Cohen, Converse Products/Demos: North Sails, CompuTennis Scorer, Sports-Pac, SkyCam, Northstar Horizon, Tec Mar Adaptor http://archive.org/details/Computer1985_8
9. Personal Finance Software
Aired 12 March 1985
A review of tax return software, financial management software and investment programs. Guests: John Reese, Monogram; Kevin Randolph, Bank of America; Jay Levine, Price Waterhouse; James Howard, Howardsoft; Ellen Ramsey, IRS; Gary Kildall, DRI Products/Demos: Dollars and Sense, BA Home Banking, HowardsoftTax Preparer http://archive.org/details/Personal1985
10. The Macintosh Computer
Aired 19 March 1985
An in-depth look at the early Apple Macintosh computer, available software and hardware add-ons. Guests: Joanna Hoffman, Apple; Bob Foster, Telos Software; Lee Lorenzen, Digital Research; Ben Wiseman, InfoCorp; Gary Kildall, DRI; Larry Tesler, Apple Products/Demos: Apple Macintosh, MacProject, FileVision, GEM DrawJazz. https://archive.org/details/TheMacin1985
11. IBM
Aired 26 March 1985
An in-depth look at IBM, the IBM standard and the impact of its dominant role in the PC marketplace. Guests: Norm DeWitt, Dataquest; Tom Rolander, Intel; Stewart Alsop, InfoWorld; John Doerr, Kleiner Perkins Caufield; Gary Kildall, DRI Products/Demos: IBM PC ATIBM TopView, CompuPro http://archive.org/details/Profileo1985
12. Computers and Communications
Aired 16 April 1985
Computer and communication technologies are merging creating the new field of informatics. Guests: Bob Metcalfe, 3Com; Bill Gillis, Charles Schwab; Glenn Albinger, Computer Colorworks; Barry Margerum, Grid Systems; Gary Kildall, Digital Research Products/Demos: Ethernet, UNET, Digital Paintbrush System, Grid Compass, QuoTrekRolm Jupiter and Cedar Systems, AT&T 7300. http://archive.org/details/Computer1985_9
13. Low End Computers
Aired 30 April 1985
A consumer's guide to the most popular low-cost home computers. Guests: Jack Tramiel, Atari; Leonard Tramiel, Atari; Frank Leonardi, Commodore; Gary Kildall, Digital Research Demos: Commodore Laptop, Commodore 128, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST 512 http://archive.org/details/LowEndCo1985
14. Japanese PCs
Aired 21 May 1985
A review of where major Japanese technology companies are in the PC hardware and software markets.Shot in Japan. Guests: Michael Miller, Popular Computing; Christopher Mead, High Tech Review; Gary Kildall, Digital Research Products/Demos: NEC, Fujitsu, Toshiba. Copyright 1985 Stewart Cheifet Productions. https://archive.org/details/Japanese1985
32. REPEAT
Aired 20 June 1985
16. Computer Graphics
Aired 18 June 1985
A look at the new graphics tools available to computer users, both for amateurs and professionals. Guests: Marein Cremer, Apple; Mark Bola, Imagic; Stephen Rosendahl, Pacific Data Images; Ed Bernstein, Broderbund; James Dowlen, Computer Artist; Gary Kildall, Digital Research Products/Demos: MacDrawMagic, Dazzle Draw, Lumena. http://archive.org/details/Computer1985_10
30. REPEAT
31. REPEAT
Aired 20 June 1985 • 30 min
15. Japanese Computer Technology
Aired 28 May 1985 • 30 min
A visit to the High Tech Expo in Tsukuba, Japan for a look at the latest Japanese robotics technology. Features Sony, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Fanuc, NEC, and others. Plus a robot from Waseda University that can play the organ! http://www.archive.org/details/Robots-J1985
20. REPEAT
21. REPEAT
34. REPEAT
Aired 20 June 1985 • 30 min
23. REPEAT
Aired 20 June 1985 • 30 min
24. REPEAT
Aired 20 June 1985 • 30 min
25. REPEAT
Aired 20 June 1985 • 30 min
26. REPEAT
Aired 20 June 1985 • 30 min