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Computer Chronicles Season 9 Episodes

27 Episodes 1991 - 1992

Episode 1

Macintosh System 7

Sun, Sep 1, 199128 mins

Demonstrations of the new 7.0 operating system for the Macintosh with a comparative look at the new DOS 5.0 for PCs.

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Episode 2

Windows Applications

Thu, Oct 3, 199129 mins

With the advent of Windows 1.0, software vendors came out with new programs to take advantage of the new GUI operating system.

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Episode 3

File Compression

Tue, Oct 1, 199128 mins

As files got larger and disk storage capacity stagnated, software developers came up with utilities to compress and shrink the size of files. This program looks at several examples including PKZip, Stacker, StuffIt Deluxe, DoubleUp, VideoSpigot, ReelTime, PicturePress, Impressit, Handmade Software, and Disk Doubler. Guests include Phil Katz, president of PKWare; Gary Clow, president of Stac Electronics; and David Schargel, president of Aladdin Systems.

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Episode 4

Computer Displays

Tue, Oct 1, 199129 mins

With color and graphics moving into the world of personal computers, display technology became an important subject.

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Episode 5

Foreign Language Software

Fri, Nov 1, 1991

A review of computer programs in 1991 that help you learn or understand a foreign language. Featured products include Language Assistant Series: Italian, Transparent Language: German/French/Latin, Speak to the World in Spanish, Hyperglot Chinese, and Hyperglot Japanese. Also visits to the Foreign Language Center of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California and the Voice of America's System for News and Programming (SNAP) in Washington D.C. which operates in 45 different languages.

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Episode 6

Tandy Radio Shack Computers

Fri, Nov 1, 199129 mins

Many computer users got their start with the TRS-80, the Tandy Color Computer, or the Model 100 portable computer.

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Episode 7

Laptops and Handhelds

Fri, Nov 1, 1991

Portability was becoming a big issue in the early 90's. This program looked at several new portable computing solutions including Grid Systems RS Wireless, the Momenta Pentop Computer, NEC's Ultralite Cellular Workstation, IBM's PC Radio, Apple's PowerBook 100, AST's Premium Exec Color Notebook, and HP's 95LX Palmtop PC.

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Episode 8

Computer Games

Fri, Nov 1, 199129 mins

A look at the hottest computer games in the early 1990s.

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Episode 9

Comdex Fall Special 1991

Sun, Dec 1, 199127 mins

On location coverage of the annual fall Comdex trade show in Las Vegas.

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Episode 11

Consumer Buyer's Guide (1991)

Sun, Dec 1, 1991

The 1991 annual holiday season guide to the coolest new high tech gadgets and computer products. Featured are Triftan Digital Pinball Machine, DigiVideo, Quicken for Mac, Painter, Armx, PowerBook 170, Power Bundle, Sim Ant, Wrist Mac, About Cows, Far Side Computer Calendar, Wedding Planner, Wordstar for Windows, I Hate Algebra, Screen Craze, Lemmings, Thumbelina, Agenda, Norton Desktop, and Logitech's Fotoman.

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Episode 12

Groupware

Sun, Dec 1, 199128 mins

Groupware was the buzzword of the early 1990s as users wanted to find ways to connect their personal computers, their applications and their data, and find platforms for sharing and collaborative work.

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Episode 15

Integrated Software Suites/Packages

Sun, Dec 1, 1991

The software trend in the early 1990s was to bundle different applications together in integrated office "suites". This program looks at several early integrated packages including LotusWorks, WindowWorks, BeagleWorks, ClarisWorks, AppleWorks, Microsoft Works and Ragtime for the Macintosh. Originally broadcast in 1991.

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Episode 17

Build Your Own PC

Wed, Jan 23, 199128 mins

Why buy a computer when you can build your own? This program looks at various approaches to assembling your own PC. Featured are the Chips and Technologies F8680 chip which is a complete PC on a chip solution, instructions on how to build your own 386 PC and 386sx PC, advice on how to perform a do-it-yourself upgrade to a 486s PC, and tips on building your own computer using components from ALR, Advance Logic Research.

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Episode 18

Computer Video

Wed, Jan 1, 199228 mins

The worlds of television and computers are quickly converging. This program looks at new video applications on personal computers. Included are the Video Toaster from NewTek, Impact Vision 24, and Scala for the Amiga, Video Spigot from SuperMac, Adobe Premiere, IBM's PS/2 TV, and the Actionmedia II board.

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Episode 19

Tax Preperation Software (1992)

Wed, Jan 1, 1992

A look at early versions of tax preparation software in 1992. Included are demonstrations of J. K. Lasser's Your Income Tax, Timeworks' EasyTax 1991, ChipSoft's TurboTax for Windows and MacInTax, and Andrew Tobias' TaxCut for Windows. Also, a visit to the IRS headquarters in Philadelphia to see how they use computers and a look at how tax preparation software is tying in to personal finance packages. An example is Parson's Personal Tax Edge and Parson's Money Counts.

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Episode 22

MIDI Music

Wed, Jan 1, 199228 mins

A look at the new role of personal computers in making music.

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Episode 23

Computers and the Disabled

Wed, Jan 1, 1992

Computers can be a challenge for people with disabilities. This program looks at several options for making hardware and software that is user friendly for the disabled in 1992. Demonstrations include Berkeley Systems' Outspoken, Ke:nx, Co:Writer, Eureka A4, THINKable, Speech Viewer, the Unicorn Smart Keyboard, and ProsthesisWare.

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Episode 24

Intel 486 (486 PC's)

Sat, Feb 1, 199228 mins

In 1992, the big issue was - is it worth the money to upgrade my 386 PC to the new 486 chip?

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Episode 25

CD-ROM Software

Sat, Feb 1, 1992

The introduction of CD-ROMs enabled a whole new era of more robust software applications. This program looks at several examples including Educorp's Dictionary of the Living World, Wayzata's Space Time and Art, French Language Software from VIVA 2000, the Voyager Company's Silly Noisy House, the American Business Phone Book, and Great Literature on CD-ROM from the Bureau of Electronic Publishing.

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Episode 26

Space and Astronomy Software

Sun, Mar 1, 199227 mins

Covers space and astronomy-themed software for consumers, from simulators to games.

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Episode 28

Easy to Use Database Software

Sun, Mar 1, 1992

Database software can sometimes be overwhelming to average users, but host Stewart Cheifet looks at some databases which are powerful yet easy to use. Included are Panorama from ProVUE, FileMaker Pro from Claris, Borland's Paradox, and FoxPro 2.0.

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Episode 30

Virtual Reality

Wed, Apr 1, 199227 mins

Virtual Reality is explored with demonstrations of the Talking Glove, AutoDesk's Cyberspace, Virtual Hand, GestureGlove, CyberGlove, CyberCAD, Virtus WalkThrough, and other emerging technologies at the VR Showcase in Santa Clara.

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Episode 31

Computers and Kids

Wed, Apr 1, 1992

A look at how young people are using computers in school and at home in 1992. Featured applications include Operation Neptune from The Learning Company, HyperCard applications created by students, and several other programs created by middle school students. Also featured is a visit to Electronic Arts where students are used in a focus group to test new games.

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Episode 33

Computer Bowl IV - Part One

Thu, Jan 23, 1992

The fourth annual Computer Bowl contest in which techies from the east coast and the west coast challenge each other to see who knows more about computer trivia. Participants include John Warnock, John Shock, Heidi Roizen, Pamela McCorduck, Andy Rappaport, and Bill Machrone. The event took place in Boston. The questioners are Bill Gates and Stewart Cheifet.

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Episode 34

Computer Bowl IV - Part Two

Thu, Jan 23, 1992

The conclusion of the fourth annual Computer Bowl contest in which techies from the east coast and the west coast challenge each other to see who knows more about computer trivia. Participants include John Warnock, John Shock, Heidi Roizen, Pamela McCorduck, Andy Rappaport, and Bill Machrone. The event took place in Boston. The questioners are Bill Gates and Stewart Cheifet.

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Episode 35

Diagnostic Software

Thu, Jan 23, 1992

Remember IRQ settings, INITs, TSRs and "out of memory" messages? The early days of personal computers were confusing for most users and so a whole new category of software grew up around solving those problems - diagnostic software. This show looks at several examples including WinSleuth, Quarterdeck's Manifest, QEMM, Mac EKG 2.0, Snooper, QA Plus, and Norton Utilities.

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Episode 36

Comdex Special Spring 1992

Thu, Jan 23, 1992

Highlights of the 1992 annual spring Comdex show in Chicago. Featured guests include Bill Gates and Stewart Alsop.

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