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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 25m

See, I always enjoyed that game but never cared for the music. 😆

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 43m

George Morrow: "Venture capitalists don't know how to decide which companies are going to be successful. They don't have the slightest idea what the ingredients of a success are. The only thing they know is what worked the last time. They have a tendency to repeat. They'll work it to death."

George Morrow delivering a commentary on "Computer Chronicles."

Joey ‘Detchibe' W. 🏳️‍⚧️ @thestacks.ca · 3h

Reposted by Computer Chronicles Revisited

Scanning rare magazines is expensive and thirsty work! If you'd like to help keep me going, donations via Patreon and ko-fi are always immensely appreciated 💛 www.patreon.com/cw/TheStacksCA ko-fi.com/detchibe

patreon.com

The Stacks — Archival scans and games writing

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 7h

I believe he's 16 in this episode. Maybe 17. 😛

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Adam Thornton @athornton.bsky.social · 8h

Wow! My adolescent insecurity would have been so much worse if I'd realized that Will Harvey was basically my age! Music Construction Set was and is fantastic. It's the reason I saved up for a Mockingboard.

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 9h

I remember the "Time Traveler" game. They're used to be one in the indoor mini-golf center near my house. That's a good $3 I'll never get back!

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 10h

A teenage Will Harvey appeared in a 1983 "Computer Chronicles" to demonstrate "Music Construction Set," an Apple II program he wrote for EA. Harvey later earned his PhD in computer science at Stanford. He's currently CEO of Descartes Finale, a developer of cloud-based inventory management software.

Will Harvey on the set of "Computer Chronicles."

Will Harvey demonstrating "Music Construction Set" on an Apple IIe.

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 23h

See, this is the sort of thing that makes me glad I don't consume much fiction in the first place.

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 29/09/2026

If you thought Nintendo was strict with retailers back in the 80s...

An imagined interview between Stewart Cheifet of "Computer Chronicles" and a Borg cube:

"We're joined now by the Borg collective, who have a new personal finance program called 'Assimilate!' How does your program differ from 'Quicken'?"

"QUICKEN IS IRRELEVANT. ASSIMILATE! MANAGES MULTIPLE CHECKING ACCOUNTS USING A SIMPLE BIO-NEURAL INTERFACE."

"What kind of hardware do you need?"

"PS/2. OUR NANOPROBES ARE NOT XT-COMPATIBLE."

"And where is 'Assimilate!' available?

"WE HAVE ADDED THE MARKETING AND RETAIL DISTINCTIVENESS OF 47 EGGHEAD SOFTWARE LOCATIONS TO OUR DEALER NETWORK."

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 29/09/2026

"Notoriously evasive" makes it sound like if someone walks up to Ken and even says the word "Sony," he just darts off into traffic.

Joey ‘Detchibe' W. 🏳️‍⚧️ @thestacks.ca · 29/09/2026

Reposted by Computer Chronicles Revisited

I recently increased the rate for pitches to The Stacks. If you or someone you know would like to write for my site, please get in touch. I focus on obscure games history, sex, gender, and art history but am open to other topics thestacks.ca/submissions

RATES
• $100CAD for shorter essays/articles between ~600-1000 words (Example
• Up to $250CAD for larger scale research essays/articles/projects of ~ 2000 words or more (Example)
• Higher rates for very large research essays/articles/projects of ~5000 words or more (Example)
• Rates may vary depending on research involved, interviews, etc

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 29/09/2026

PC Connection's top-10 selling IBM PC programs (week of 2/21/1990): 1. Turbo Tax 2. Quicken 3.0 3. WordPerfect 5.1 4. Andrew Tobias' TaxCut 5. PC Globe 3.0 6. PC Tools Deluxe 7. The Norton Utilities Advanced Edition 8. ProComm Plus 9. Microsoft Windows/286 10. Microsoft Flight Simulator

Kathleen Megargee, delivering a news item about the top-10 selling software, on "Computer Chronicles."

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 29/09/2026

Started working on the November issue. People, we have an edutaintment episode. Consider yourselves warned.

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 29/09/2026

Cyril Yansouni of Hewlett Packard was the first "Computer Chronicles" guest back in 1983. He demonstrated the HP-150 Touchscreen, an MS-DOS machine that used a grid of infrared sensors embedded in the monitor bezel to enable touch-screen functionality. www.computerchronicles.blog/computer-chr...

Cyril Yansouni demonstrating the HP-150 Touchscreen on the set of "Computer Chronicles."

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 29/09/2026

Lord help you if you're a completionist. Even I don't review every "Computer Chronicles" episode.

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 29/09/2026

I just glanced at the analytics for the website. Shout-out to the 1 person in Iran who used ChatGPT to find an article I wrote about a 1988 "Computer Chronicles" episode on CAD software!

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

"Worf, we've heard about the ethics of software piracy. From your perspective, is piracy dishonorable?" "No. True honor comes from respecting your customers. Charging someone $100 for a game and then claiming they don't actually own it dishonors not only you, but seven generations of your family."

Stewart Cheifet hosting "Computer Chronicles."

Lt. Worf of the USS Enterprise enjoying good tea, nice house.

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Michael @michaelklamerus.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

If you’re looking for a Halloween costume this year, have you considered going as one of the dancers in this 5 second clip from Phantasmagoria 2?

static.klipy.com

Phantasmagoria Dance

Alt: Three men doing a dance across the screen outside a club

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

By then we'll have the sequel, "Something Is Wrong with Phil," which will involve having to scan thousands of old video game magazines.

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

Today I sent out the first print issues of "Computer Chronicles Revisited" to paid subscribers. If you're interested in supporting independent research and writing about computer history, click the link below to learn more about becoming a subscriber yourself! www.computerchronicles.blog/subscribe/

computerchronicles.blog

Computer Chronicles Revisited is a monthly print subscription newsletter. Each issue reviews an episode of the PBS series Computer Chronicles that aired from 1983 to 2002. You can download the Septemb...

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

Apple product manager Laura Kurihara appeared on a 1988 "Computer Chronicles" to demonstrate the Apple IIc Plus, quite possibly the most pointless machine ever released by Apple. Kurihara left the tech industry in the 1990s and became a pastry chef. www.computerchronicles.blog/computer-chr...

Laura Kurihara demonstrating "Math Blaster Plus!" on an Apple IIc Plus with a color monitor on the set of "Computer Chronicles."

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

If I recall, that episode was directed by David Carson, who later worked on TNG. Directed "Yesterday's Enterprise" and "Star Trek: Generations" among others.

Jess Morrissette @decafjedi.com · 28/09/2026

Reposted by Computer Chronicles Revisited

"Spock! — aren't you supposed to be dead?" "I rebooted!" Ah, yes... Star Trek V, the film where Spock famously returns from the dead.

Star Trek V game print advertisement. Source: Game Player's PC Strategy Guide Vol. 3 No. 1 (January-February 1990).

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

I wish I had something to say about the "Top TV Shows of the 21st century" lists making the rounds, but I only watch the one show.

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

I'm editing my newsletter right now. I open with a story about Steve Jobs trying to buy a company that developed a color LCD he wanted to use in a portable Mac. The deal collapsed, but here's the kicker: The tech was originally developed for US AIR FORCE FIGHTER JET DISPLAYS. #counterculture

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

No, just the world's s-l-o-w-e-s-t disk drive. At least the IIc had a built-in drive that was reasonably snappy.

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

Now the Apple IIc came from Macy's. I remember because the color monitor had a wiring defect and my mom and I had to carry it through the entire mall to take it back. Good thing we did, though, because it caught fire that night in the service center. (Nobody got hurt.)

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

I can't remember the exact timing, but I'm pretty sure my father got that ColecoVision at our Five and Dime in the waning days of the video game crash. Probably set him back $20 with the games. 😆

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

Pretty sure that's the one that came with mine. I definitely played a lot of it. TBH, though, I was the guy who mostly played sports games. 😆

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

Truth be told, I as pretty young when I had the ColecoVision, so my memories just aren't that strong. I remember that god-awful Smurfs game (hi, @playhistory.bsky.social!) and Zaxxon, but that's it. By the time I was a bit older, I had a Sega Genesis and I do kind of miss that one.

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

Fun fact: When the Computer Museum in Boston organized the first Computer Bowl (as seen on "Computer Chronicles"), they considered asking Don Herbert to be the judge. Not sure why it didn't happen, but I'm a little disappointed we didn't get to see Stewart Cheifet and Mr. Wizard together. 😛

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 28/09/2026

Hey, at least you probably didn't spend your weekend writing about the multiple, independent ways rich people can fuck companies up. 🙃

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

I'd ask who, but at this point, I've largely stopped watching any tech YouTuber who doesn't say upfront they're not using AI.

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

First console: ColecoVision First computer: Apple IIc And unlike 95% of people who post about retro tech, I have no nostalgia for either machine. 😆

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

"Tom, I understand Starfleet has an upgraded transwarp drive. What are some of the new features?" "Well, Gary, the new drive is 30 percent quieter and it won't turn you into a lizard." "Okay, and what's the price on that?" "20 bars of gold-pressed latinum, 30 if you need the RAM expander."

Gary Kildall on the set of "Computer Chronicles."

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

Ironically, I'm sponsoring an article about a food I've never actually eaten before. 😆

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

Kathe Spracklen appeared on a 1985 "Computer Chronicles" to demonstrate the Mac port of "Sargon III," a chess program she wrote with her husband Daniel. The Spracklens first developed "Sargon" on a WaveMate Jupiter II. They sold the original source code via mail order for $15. #retrogaming #chess

Kathe Spracklen demonstrating "Sargon III" on a classic Macintosh on the set of "Computer Chronicles."

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Ernie Smith @ernie.tedium.co · 27/09/2026

Repeat after me: We don't live in a monoculture anymore and that's fine

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

"Perhaps you haven't listened to my 6-hour YouTube video essay on why it's actually not fine we don't live in a monoculture, particularly one that happens to match my personal pop culture interests..."

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

"George, our AI agents do sometimes 'go rogue' and compromise other individual, corporate, and government systems. I think that's just part of the process of learning and innovation that this exciting new technology brings to the world." "Jack, I think my foot's about to 'go rogue' on your ass."

Jack O'Grady, a former U.S. representative for France Telecom, who I am using as a placeholder for this satirical post.

George Morrow hosting "Computer Chronicles"

Peter Fletcher @rectapete.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Reposted by Computer Chronicles Revisited

With the A.I. companies buying up all of the computer storage these days, I'd like to offer up the solution we used in the 1980's to double our storage for free. You are welcome. #old

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

A relevant quote from George: "Most of us in the early days had entrepreneur's sickness--we wouldn't do anything that would dilute our control of our companies. Steve Jobs of Apple was the only one smart enough to see that he had to give away parts of his company to get the most talented people."

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

It's been a fun challenge. Pretty much all of the principals are long dead and documentation has been sporadic. George's son did manage to donate a lot of docs to the Computer History Museum, which was good enough to digitize some key items for me. But obviously this isn't Apple. 😛

Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

Your thread reminds me I need to read your book for research. I'm writing my own book about the history of George Morrow's company, Morrow Designs, which also spun out of the old Homebrew Computer Club. George was many things, but he wasn't some pure counter-culture idealist. 😆

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

I spent many years writing for personal injury lawyers. They get a bum rap but they're absolutely necessary. Antitrust lawyers, on the other hand, are all a bunch of assholes. 😆

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

I'm laughing because I was recently looking up some Jobs articles about how one of his key financial backers when he bought Pixar was Ross Perot--a defense contractor--and how there was talk of converting the Pixar Computer for use by the military. 😆

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Computer Chronicles Revisited @deviledeggpress.com · 27/09/2026

"Finally, there may be a computer in the audience at this year's Academy Awards ceremony. One of the nominees for Best Animated Short is 'Tin Toy," an animated film created completely by computer at Pixar in San Rafael, California." ("Tin Toy" did, in fact, win the Oscar.)

Cynthia Steele, delivering a news item on "Tin Toy" during the "Random Access" segment of "Computer Chronicles."