Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed 1977 – Two days prior, Microsoft send MITS a letter with the allegation that they were not up on royalty payments and if they didn’t catch up, MITS would be in breach and the 8080 BASIC would be pulled. MITS sends a letter stating that they are not correct. Ultimately, this would begin a debate that would end in November when Microsoft pulled the 8080 BASIC out. Full Day in Tech History podcast show notes for April 21 The Tanday 5000MC Intel 3 GHz Pentium 4 Firefox 3.0.9 is released
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed 2009 – Oracle announces they have purchased Sun Microsystems in a $7.4 billion dollar deal. This includes stock at $9.50 / share. That would also be the acquisition of SPARC processors, Solaris OS, Java and MySQL, among other items. The deal would be finalized on January 27th 2010. Full Day in Tech History podcast show notes for April 20 Compaq and Sears-Roebuck offer Presario line of personal computers Bill Gates and Paul Allen write the letter to MITS on breach of contract IBM opens it’s first PC store in New York City
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed 1975- Paul Allen and Bill Gates found Microsoft in Albuquerque, NM. The company was founded there simply because that is where Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) is located. The duo was building BASIC for the Altair 8800. Wikazine – Full show notes for April 4 The Yorkshire Posse attacks 13 corporate sites Gmail is integrated into Google calendar Mosaic is founded. It would later become Netscape Communications Corp.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed 2001 – The reason why I decided to highlight this event is to make you aware that Tablets are not a new thing. Computer companies have been trying to perfect the tablet for many years. in 2001, for example, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates introduces the Tablet PC initiative. Using a Crusoe processor and the XP OS, he shows off a touch screen with Microsoft Notebook handwriting recognition software. This 3 pound revolution weighed only 3 lbs and would cost the average consumer $2,000 – 3,500.Wikazine – Full show notes for March 26 First World Altair Computer Convention is held in New Mexico. Kevin Mitnick pleads guilty Dr. Who comes back out of ...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed 1997 – Apple Computer makes the acquisition of NeXT for $427 million. The OpenStep OS will be the base of Mac OS X. Steve Wozniak returns to Apple as an executive committee member. Gil Amelio – with Steve Jobs as his advisor – makes plans to restructure Apple. Finally, Bill Gates publicly states that he is very interested in continuing to work with Apple. Wikazine – Full show notes for February 4 [dithsponsor] Sega releases the last game for the Master System – Bomber Raid The 1GHz CMOS is demonstrated for the first time EarthLink merges with MindSpring
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 1974 – Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) puts out the first ever “Do it yourself” Altair 8800. You would get it through Popular Mechanics Magazine, then assemble it yourself. This is a turning point in home computer setup. The price for an Altair 8800 kit – $397 – and it included Microsoft Altair BASIC. This Day in Tech History podcast show notes for December 19 DirectX 9 is released RIAA switches from suing users to ISP Samuel Clemens patents suspenders
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed 1978 – It is one of the most infamous pictures in tech today. This is the Microsoft crew. Can you guess which one is Bill Gates? The picture was updated in 2008 when the group (except Bob Wallace, who passed away in 2002) got back together for Bill Gates last few days at Microsoft (below). The staff picture includes: Bill Gates, Andrea Lewis, Marla Wood, Paul Allen (2nd row) Bob O’Rear, Bob Greenberg (who helped launch Cabbage Patch Kids), Marc McDonald, Gordon Letwin, (3rd row) Steve Wood, Bob Wallace (passed away in 2002) and Jim Lane. This Day in Tech History podcast show notes for December 7 Star Trek: The Motion Picture ...
Jeffrey Powers would love to come on your show and discuss the events of technology history. Feel free to call him @ 608-205-4378. You can also Contact Jeffrey:
