Happy National Pi Day – The celebration of 3.14 1988 – It’s the song that found it’s rebirth and the term “Rick Rolled” became a urban saying. Of course, we are talking about Rick Astley and the song: Never Gonna Give You Up. It hit #1 on the charts. Of course, it’s internet fame has turned this into a whole new beast. Wikazine – Full show notes for March 14 Microsoft releases XBox in Europe NEC announces they will be getting into the computer market Apple releases the Power Macintosh computer Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
1933- Charles Darrow creates the game Monopoly, with designers Elizabeth Magie, Louis Thun, and Fred Thun. There were a few other board games before Monopoly, like “The Landlord game“, which Monopoly was loosely derived from. The board is based on Atlantic City and the playing pieces were models from items around Charles Darrow’s’ house. Parker Brothers would pick the game up in 1935 and turn it into a household name.Since then, multiple variations of the board game have been introduced. Everything from Star Wars Monopoly to Bratz Jr Monopoly game. The game has gone through many revisions, and some families have made “unofficial rules” – such as what happens when you land on Free Parking. Wikazine – Full show notes for March ...
During non-leap years, this Day in Tech History episode will be for the 28th and 29th. 1966 (Feb 28) – With all these ways to listen in on a conversation, the FCC has to make a ruling to protect the rights of US citizens. They create the Right to Privacy act which bands evesdropping or direct and indirect use of radio – controlled devices. Wikazine – Full show notes for February 28 M*A*S*H* broadcasts the final episode PeopleSoft reorganizes Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
1996 – Corel not only gets WordPerfect form Novell, but also Quattro Pro for $180 million in stock and cash. Michael Cowpland (Founder of Corel) called WordPerfect the “Pepsi to Microsoft’s Coke”. I guess that was not the case as OpenOffice (RC maybe?) surpassed WordPerfect users.WordPerfect and Corel have been in flux since 2006, when Vector Capital purchased 72% of the company. Just this last year, they bought up the remaining stock and became privately held once again. Wikazine – Full show notes for January 31 Related articles Mistrial in WordPerfect antitrust case against Microsoft (seattletimes.nwsource.com) January 15: Ralph Baer Patents First Video Game (dayintechhistory.com) Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
RemoteAccess BBS is a DOS Bulletin Board System. It’s software was written by Andrew Milner. RemoteAccess was released as shareware and did a crude version of Multitasking. The final version of RA was released in 1996 (with a Y2K fix in 2000). At that time BBS were being switched to Internet protocol systems like online forums. Wikazine – Full show notes for January 24 IBM Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator (SSEC) a.k.a “the Poppa” is dedicated Microwave Oven is patented Gary McKinnon won right to judicial review Apple introduces a floppy drive for the Lisa computer Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
1983 – In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune.If you have a problem… if no one else can help… and if you can find them… maybe you can hire… The A- Team NBC ran the A-Team from January 23, 1983 to March 8, 1987. The movie came out June 11, 2010. Wikazine – Full show notes for January 23 Sega and Bandai announce a merger Apple releases Macintosh Office The integrated circuit is conceived Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
2011 – Google announced a Beta version of their Social Network to rival Facebook – Google+ (Google Plus). It was invite-only beta, and those who got in experienced the G+ experience. Google introduced circles – where you can place your friends and family. Sparks was a hashtag-type service that was discontinued later in the year. The biggest part of Google+ is the hangout – ability to video chat with up to 9 others. Other options like instant upload let you organize and share quickly. Full Day in Tech History podcast show notes for June 28 1999 – HydraBBS software was released Williamette – a.k.a. Pentium 4 – is announced AMD files antitrust suit against Intel Motorola introduces the 16 MHz 68020 ...
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