Computer Ads from the Past

This Substack delves into the rich history of computer technology and advertising, showcasing the evolution of software, hardware, and the computing industry through analysis of vintage ads, interviews, and retrospectives on significant figures and milestones. It explores various platforms, the impact of pioneering companies, and cultural shifts within tech.

Vintage Computing Software Development Hardware Innovations Technology Industry History Computing Culture Technology Advertising Operating Systems Programming Languages Personal Computing

The hottest Substack posts of Computer Ads from the Past

And their main takeaways

Comics from 1983/08 Today Mag

512 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Comics
  1. The post shares comics from the August 1983 issue of Today magazine, providing a glimpse into humor from the past.
  2. Readers are encouraged to suggest what computer ads they'd like to see in the future and to share the post with friends and relatives if they enjoyed it.
  3. The publication, 'Computer Ads from the Past,' offers readers the opportunity to subscribe and support future content.

Apple IIe and IIc Design Manager Peter Quinn Interviewed by BYTE's Gregg Williams

384 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology History Design Interview Development Compatibility
  1. Peter Quinn was involved in the design of Apple IIe from the beginning, starting with a plan to enhance the keyboard and provide 80 columns, which led to the idea of expanding the memory to 128K.
  2. The development of Apple IIc was intertwined with the IIe project. The decision to create a more focused product led to the IIc design, which included built-in peripherals like a mouse port and two serial ports.
  3. Design challenges for the compact Apple IIc included managing heat and radiation effectively, with unique solutions like intricate venting schemes and careful layout of components to meet corporate specifications.

Suture Software's Bludgeons 'n' Braggarts

384 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Vintage Advertising
  1. The post shares a parody ad from the past, highlighting the humor in mistaking it for a real ad at first glance.
  2. It mentions the addition of a direct messaging feature on Substack, encouraging readers to engage by suggesting products for coverage.
  3. The content focuses on 'Suture Software's Bludgeons 'n' Braggarts,' offering a playful look at computer ads from the past.

Salamander Software's Franklin's Tomb

384 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Video Games
  1. Salamander Software was a collective run by friends from Sussex University, known for their Dragon charbusters like Night Flight and Franklin's Tomb.
  2. Their game Franklin's Tomb, part of the Dan Diamond trilogy, was a text adventure involving mummies, mazes, and a white rabbit. It had a split screen, save game feature, and clues for upcoming adventures.
  3. Reviewers praised Franklin's Tomb for its quality, engaging gameplay, and the need for exploration and puzzle-solving. The game utilized the full memory of the computers it was available on.

VenturCom's VENIX

384 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Computers Operating Systems Software Development
  1. VenturCom was founded in 1980 and worked on various projects including Venix, Windows NT, and Windows CE. They later changed their name to Ardence, which was acquired by Citrix Systems before becoming IntervalZero.
  2. Venix was one of the first UNIX systems for IBM PCs, based on Version 7 Unix with enhancements. It had different versions released over the years and received feedback on pricing, performance, and features compared to other similar systems like Xenix.
  3. Reviews from publications like PC Magazine and Dr. Dobb's Journal praised Venix's compatibility with System V Unix, while also highlighting areas for improvement like bugs, DOS interface, and third-party software support.
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Huson Soft HuCAL

384 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Software Gaming History Translation
  1. Hudson Soft was a Japanese company that started as an electronics store and later moved into game development.
  2. Hudson Soft created popular games like Bomberman, Adventure Island, and Bonk for various gaming systems.
  3. HuCAL, a product by Hudson Soft, was initially thought to be a word processor but was actually a spreadsheet used on Sega systems.

Gravis MouseStick

384 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Computers
  1. The post is about the Gravis MouseStick from February 1990.
  2. The writer limited voting to two options and got a winner.
  3. Readers can access the post with a 7-day free trial.

Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computers

384 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Computers History Podcasts Archives
  1. Radio Shack, founded in 1921, played a significant role in the early days of personal computers.
  2. The Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer, released in the late 1970s, was praised for its features and capabilities at an affordable price.
  3. Despite initial success, Radio Shack eventually faced decline, with the company filing for bankruptcy in 2015.

Comic - Know Your Audience

640 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
💥 Comics
  1. Not every idea is a winner
  2. Know your audience when sharing content
  3. Consider the relevance of past content to present audience

Are You a Windows or Apple User?

768 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
😂 Humor Comics
  1. The post discusses whether you are a Windows or an Apple user.
  2. It includes a chart from MacAddict for comparison.
  3. The post shares a humorous image from a 1996 issue of MacAddict magazine.

Tano Dragon

640 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Computers History Reviews Operating System Bankruptcy
  1. Dragon Data Ltd was a Welsh company that released the Dragon 32 and Dragon 64 computers in the early 1980s.
  2. The Dragon 32 was known for using the Motorola MC6809E processor and included an extended version of Microsoft BASIC.
  3. Despite initial success, Dragon Data faced financial challenges, underwent ownership changes, and eventually filed for bankruptcy.

THINK's Lightspeed C

512 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Computers Programming Software Tech Companies Computer History
  1. Lightspeed C was a C programming language software developed in the mid-1980s for Atari systems and Macintosh computers.
  2. Clearstar Softechnologies created Lightspeed C for Atari systems in 1985, and the company was later purchased by Omega Soft in 1988.
  3. THINK Technologies released Lightspeed C for Mac and later renamed it to THINK C in the mid-1980s, receiving positive reviews for its speed and user-friendliness.

PROCOMM PLUS for Windows

1024 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🕹 Technology Software Communications Internet Review History
  1. PROCOMM PLUS was a popular dial-up communications and terminal emulation software in the pre-World Wide Web era.
  2. Datastorm Technologies, Inc founded by Bruce Barkelew and Thomas Smith created PROCOMM PLUS.
  3. PROCOMM PLUS was known for its ease of use, compatibility with older systems, and reliable features according to reviews.

Orange Micro's OrangePC

256 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Computers Performance
  1. Orange Micro's OrangePC was a hardware solution for Mac users to run DOS and Windows applications.
  2. OrangePC provided a Wintel-compatible computer with features like Pentium processors, sound emulation, and VGA support.
  3. Compared to software emulators like SoftPC, OrangePC offered faster performance and better integration between Mac and PC applications.

Follow me on Mastodon

384 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🕹 Technology Open Source Social media
  1. The post is promoting following the author on Mastodon for open-source enthusiasts.
  2. The author has shared a link to their Mastodon profile for interested followers.
  3. The author mentions that some readers prefer using Mastodon over other platforms.

Plus Post: Lobo MAX-80

0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Computers History
  1. Lobo Drives International, founded by Roger Billings in 1981, later changed the name to Lobo Systems before being dissolved in 1985.
  2. Venture Investments bought a controlling interest in Lobo in 1983 as per records, indicating a shift in ownership within a few years.
  3. The mentioned company, Lobo, was a significant entity in the computer industry, existing for a relatively short period from 1981 to 1985.

Vote for the Topic of the March 2024 Plus Post

0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Advertising
  1. The post is asking for votes on the topic to be covered in the March 2024 Plus Post.
  2. The choices for this month's topic are ads from the June 1990 and May 1993 issues of Byte magazine.
  3. Paid subscribers have the opportunity to vote for their preferred ad, with a 7-day free trial also available for those interested.