Computer Chronicles Season 1 Episodes

Episode 1

Mainframes to Minis to Micros

Thu, Sep 1, 198323 mins

The first episode of The Computer Chronicles to be taped for broadcast by PBS, with hosts Stewart Cheifet and Gary Kildall covering the history of the personal computer.

Episode 2

Integrated Software

Sat, Oct 1, 198323 mins

A new breed of integrated software suites utilize visual interfaces to simplify user tasks. Apple's Lisa and VisiCorp's Visi On are demonstrated, followed by a discussion of Quarterdeck's DESQview.

Episode 3

Computer Music

Mon, Jan 24, 1983

Episode 4

Simulator Software

Mon, Mar 5, 1984

The use of computers to simulate various real-world environments for military, entertainment and architectural applications.

Episode 5

Operating Systems

Sat, Oct 1, 198328 mins

A review of various operating systems and their effect on software development.

Episode 6

Word Processing

Mon, Jan 24, 1983

A staple of the computing industry since its inception, word processing is a necessary skill for all computer users to learn, and the type of program a user chooses can make all the difference in terms of productivity and efficiency.

Episode 7

Computer Security

Mon, Mar 26, 1984

Security issues related to the world's increasing dependence on information contained in computer networks.

Episode 8

Robotics

Mon, Apr 2, 198428 mins

Robotic hardware and software and robotics based applications. Guests include David Nitzan, SRI International; Matt Guerrieri, Autobotics; Guy Rhodes, Microbot; John Will, Microbot; and George Oliver, Oliver Company. Products/Demos include Hero I Robot and Teach Mover Robot.

Episode 9

Speech Synthesis

Mon, Apr 9, 198429 mins

A look at speech synthesis and speech recognition technologies. Guests include Herb Lechner, SRI International; Carl Berney, Speech Plus; and Ron Stevens, Votan. Products/Demos include Minolta Talking Camera, Texas Instruments Speak and Spell, Epsom Speech Plus Computer and IBM Votan V-5000.

Episode 10

Local Area Networks - Networking

Mon, Apr 16, 198428 mins

Connecting computers, peripherals, broadband and baseband.

Episode 11

Chips (Microchip Technology)

Thu, Dec 1, 198323 mins

Discussion of the history and development of the microprocessor.

Episode 12

Business Applications

Wed, Jan 18, 198423 mins

A look at the popular new software programs for business. Guests include Herb Lechner, SRI; Chuck Kinch, Computerland; Stewart Reges, Stanford; Dan Carro, IBM; and Bill Blackmer, Levi Strauss. Products/Demos include Lotus 123, SuperCalc 3PC Talk, CrossTalk, and IBM Professional Office System.

Episode 13

Storage Devices

Mon, May 14, 198424 mins

Floppy drives, hard drives, and bubble memory.

Episode 14

Printers

Thu, Dec 1, 198323 mins

A look at the advancement of output technology from the daisy wheel to dot matrix to laser printing.

Episode 15

Database Software

Mon, May 21, 198423 mins

Mainframe and network databases for computer users. Guests include Gary Kildall, DRI; Roger Summit, Dialog; Jay Fitzgerald, The Source; Paul Schindler, Info Syst News.

Episode 16

Computer Graphics

Thu, Apr 5, 1984

A review of computer art, graphics capabilities of computers and professional computer graphics systems. Guests: Herb Lechner, SRI International; Don McKinney, Silicon Graphics; Michael Arent, Freelance Artist; Kevin Prince, MCI/Quantel; Ann Chase, Freelance Artist Products/Demos: MCI Quantel PaintBox, Silicon Graphics 3D Animation, Apple IIe. Originally broadcast in 1984. Copyright 1984 Stewart Cheifet Productions.

Episode 17

Computer-Aided Decision Making (Decision Support Systems)

Tue, Jan 24, 198429 mins

Expert systems software and artificial intelligence applications. Guests include Gary Kildall, DRI; Mike Thoma, Mgmt Decisn Sys; Steve Weyl, Syntelligence; Jim Chapman, Human Edge SW. Products/Demos include Strategic Simulations Epidemic, Prospector, CompuStat, Easy Scan, Sales Edge.

Episode 18

Ergonomics

Thu, Mar 29, 198429 mins

A look at health problems related to computer use such as video display radiation and repetitive stress injuries. Guests include Herb Lechner, SRI International; Wanda Smith, Hewlett Packard; Karen Kessel, Koffler Group; Susan Kare, Apple; and Jerry Manock, Apple. Products/Demos include Apple Macintosh, HP Orion Computer.

Episode 19

Programming Languages

Thu, Feb 9, 198423 mins

A review of current popular programming languages like FORTH, PASCAL and COBOL.

Episode 21

Computer Games

Tue, Feb 28, 198423 mins

Computers have created a new platform for playing games, with human or computer opponents.

Episode 22

People in Computing

Thu, Mar 1, 198423 mins

A look at the entrepreneurs who are driving the personal computer industry.

Episode 23

Fifth Generation Computers

Fri, Oct 12, 198428 mins

Fifth-Generation Computers and their applications as America and Japan fight for supremacy in the Artificial Intelligence arena are discussed with hosts Gary Kildall and Stewart Cheifet and interviewees Edward Feigenbaum, Professor of Computer Science, and Herb Lechner.

Episode 24

Artificial Intellegence

Fri, Mar 16, 198429 mins

The concept of Artificial Intelligence is discussed in terms of research, computer design and real-world applications like oil drilling or medical diagnostics.

Episode 26

Computers in Education

Tue, Jan 24, 1984

An early look at how computers are being used in formal education. Guests include Professor Patrick Suppes of Stanford University and Glenn Kleiman, author of "Brave New Schools". Includes demonstrations of the LOGO and BASIC languages. Guest host is Herb Lechner of SRI International.