X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Computer Chronicles Season 8 Episodes

24 Episodes 1990 - 1991

Episode 1

The Global Software Market

Fri, Sep 28, 1990

As the decade of the nineties began, it became clear the United States was dominating the world software market.

Where to Watch

Episode 2

Windows 3.0

Thu, Oct 4, 199029 mins

The first major upgrade to Windows was the 3.0 version, launched in 1990. This program reviews Windows 3.0, some competitive products and looks at some Windows add-ons designed to make it work better.

Where to Watch

Episode 3

Hypertext

Thu, Oct 11, 199028 mins

Apple's Hypercard 2.0 brought new sophistication to the concept of hypertext, and laid the groundwork for the powerful Internet concept of hyperlinks.

Where to Watch

Episode 4

Rebirth of the Home Computer (Home PCs 1990)

Thu, Oct 18, 199029 mins

After a series of failures, new home computers are being launched to bring the business back, including the IBM PS/1, the Tandy 1000, the Magnavox Headstart, low cost Macs such as the LC, and the Commodore 64C with GEOS.

Where to Watch

Episode 5

Palmtop Computers

Thu, Oct 25, 1990

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 6

Input Devices

Thu, Nov 1, 199029 mins

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 7

Amiga 3000

Thu, Nov 8, 1990

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 applications.

Where to Watch

Episode 9

Xmas/Consumer Buyer's Guide (1990)

Wed, Nov 21, 1990

A guide to cool new high tech gifts for the holiday season of 1990. Featured are product recommendations from Jan Lewis, Paul Schindler, Chris Barr, Andrew Eisner, and Stewart Cheifet. Among the products demonstrated are Quicken, TurboTax, Fax-O-Matic, Stacker, Rampack, Grammatik, Lotus Magellan, After Dark, Play It By Ear, Bible Illustrator, Computer Critters, Where in Time is Carmen San Diego, Cosmic Osmo, Sky Shadow, Amanda Stories, Designer Fractal, and Visonary Software's Lifeguard.

Where to Watch

Episode 10

High Memory Management

Thu, Nov 29, 1990

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 11

Battle of Video Game Consoles

Thu, Dec 6, 199029 mins

Where to Watch

Episode 12

Computer Viruses

Thu, Dec 13, 1990

Viruses are spreading to personal computers and causing havoc to individuals and businesses. A look at how to prevent viruses from destroying your system.

Where to Watch

Episode 15

Speech Technology

Thu, Jan 3, 1991

A look at voice recognition and speech synthesis technologies in 1991. 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.

Where to Watch

Episode 18

Macros

Thu, Jan 24, 1991

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 and Templates, Excel Macros, QuicKeys, AutoKey, and PowerMouse.

Where to Watch

Episode 21

CD-ROM Software

Wed, Feb 13, 199129 mins

In the early 1990s, the computer industry settled on a CD-ROM standard and that fanned the growth of CD-ROMs as a storage medium.

Where to Watch

Episode 22

Sleeper Software

Thu, Feb 21, 199129 mins

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 24

Consumer Electronics Show/CES Special (1991)

Thu, Mar 7, 1991

Highlights from the 1991 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.

Where to Watch

Episode 25

Computers and Medical Care (Medicine)

Wed, Mar 13, 1991

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 and Management Systems Society Conference in San Francisco. Guests include Dr. Bill Helvey, Dr. Edward Shultz, Dr. Hurley Myers, and Dr. Ralph Smathers.

Where to Watch

Episode 27

Scanners

Wed, Mar 27, 199129 mins

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 co-host is Heidi Roizen of T/Maker.

Where to Watch

Episode 29

Software in the Schools

Wed, Apr 10, 1991

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 30

Font City/Fonts and Graphics

Wed, Apr 17, 1991

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 31

PC Network Security

Tue, Apr 23, 1991

As local area networks grew, so did concerns for network security. This program looks at some early solutions in 1991. 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.

Where to Watch

Episode 32

Computer Bowl III Part 1

Fri, May 3, 199128 mins

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 33

Computer Bowl III - Part 2

Fri, May 10, 1991

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.

Where to Watch

Episode 34

Neural Networks

Wed, May 15, 199129 mins

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.

Where to Watch