© Mark Ollig
When I attended high school during the mid-1970s, there were no computers in the classroom.
At that time, the only keyboard I used was on a Smith Corona typewriter.
In 1981, I purchased a Sinclair ZX81 computer for $150, and embraced the future of personal computing.
By 1982, I had an IBM PC (personal computer) model, equipped initially with 256K of RAM, which I increased to 512K. It also included a 20MB hard drive the size of an eight-slot bread toaster.
This PC uses a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 processor, a single-sided 160K 5.25-inch floppy drive, and an IBM mechanical “clickety-clack” keyboard.
Trivia: In 1978, IBM patented the “buckling spring” key mechanism used beneath the keycaps on their keyboards.
A monochrome display-screen CRT (cathode-ray tube) was my window into the computer, and an IBM dot-matrix printer attached to the computer’s DB-25 connector using a parallel cable.
Written on 5.25-inch floppy disks were the DOS (disk operating system) programs loaded into the computer via the floppy drive.
Many of us remember backing up our computer’s data using stacks of floppy disks.
Yup. Those were the days.
I purchased many books and tapes on computer hardware and software and used the Microsoft-based DOS called MS-DOS.
The Microsoft Windows operating system became available in 1985; other folks were already using the Apple computer with its proprietary operating platform, hardware, and software programs.
Computer hobbyist clubs and a network of online virtual communities made up of hundreds of telephone dial-up computer BBS’s (bulletin board systems) in cities all across the country increased as the 1980s progressed. We navigated over the internet using text commands; the World Wide Web would not be around until 1993.
In 1983, I learned of a personal computer hardware and software television program shown over the local public broadcasting service channel Friday evenings.
“The Computer Chronicles” featured the latest computer technology and software. Stewart Cheifet hosted it.
Cheifet, a correspondent for the PBS “Nightly Business Report,” covered the high-tech industry in California’s famous Silicon Valley.
I was happy to discover a computing-rich resource in “The Computer Chronicles,” which I watched every week.
“The Computer Chronicles” program centered on the personal computer industry and covered DOS-based PCs, Apple computers, printers, modems, processors, and various software programs and data storage peripherals.
This weekly program featured the latest computer technology, software, and people with expertise inside the industry.
Cheifet greeted his viewers with an enthusiastic, “Welcome to the Computer Chronicles.”
One could tell Cheifet enjoyed delving into the latest computing technology.
He talked about personal computing in an easy-to-understand approach, and often interviewed company specialists and demonstrated new computer hardware and software.
“The Computer Chronicles” mostly covered the IBM and Apple computing world and other computers made by lesser-known makers.
One of the show’s segments, “Random Access,” highlighted the past week’s computing news.
The show was right for the times. Each week, I looked forward to learning something new about computing and software. I shared in Chiefet’s wonderment about the technology.
As this fast-evolving personal computer technology exploded upon us, many took comfort in knowing Cheifet would calmly show and explain it to us each week.
The start of “The Computer Chronicles” television program from July 14, 1988, began with Cheifet looking at a desk where a Commodore Amiga personal computer sat.
“Welcome to the Computer Chronicles,” spoke the artificial voice from the computer.
“A computer that talks!” excitedly exclaimed Cheifet, with a smile on his face.
All good things must end, and so it was with “The Computer Chronicles.” Despite a very loyal fan base, the program ended in 2002.
Today, many of those past programs exist on the internet and are available for viewing.
Stewart Cheifet was born Sept. 24, 1938, in Philadelphia, PA. His website is http://www.cheifet.com.
The internet archive contains original episodes of “The Computer Chronicles” you can watch here: https://bit.ly/3snD7JH.
