Computing History CD-ROM

From: "Pat Barron" <pat(a)transarc.ibm.com> This CD is quite good - there is actually a lot of information in there, pictures, computer descriptions, company histories, biographies etc etc. It is a shame that it exists as two _totally_ disconnected parts. Some of it is in the form of HTML pages, and the rest as Windows Help files (they suggest using Alt-TAB to switch between the two parts - no links! - but there are reasonable links within each of the two parts). There are some contributions contributes to a jumbled appearance. You keep getting a totally different "Table of Contents", "Index" or "Main" page when browsing different parts. Hidden within it all is stuff I have not seen anywhere else, like a list and some details of 100 computers that were under development between 1945 to 1955. Lots of chronologies, even one on software. The CD I got from Amazon a couple of months ago is Copyright 2000, but no one individual claims credit for it as far as I can see, but one or more people did a lot of work because it does not all appear to have been just lifted from the net. I have not had the chance to delve in detail to see if I can find any errors. I have lifted the following words from the Introduction HTML page to give the publishers own fuller description of what they provide. Phil (Brisbane - Australia) ================================= Introduction This book provides an introduction to the fascinating field of computing history. We have chosen to use an encyclopedia format to provide a wide coverage of the subject, both in terms of time periods and in the types of technologies addressed. This special Year 2000 Edition has been revised and expanded to take advantage of Web Browser technology for viewing the over 300 photos contained in this Encyclopedia The History of Computing Encyclopedia now consists of two parts: Part 1: The Text Portion, consisting of "Windows help file" type documents is accessed by clicking on START, PROGRAMS, HISTORY OF COMPUTING, from your Start menu bar. The text portion contains over 1,000 pages of information. Part 2: The Photo Gallery is accessed through your web browser. The Photo Gallery contains over 300 photos of early machines, computers, components, computer pioneers and more. Your Web Browser should be pointed to: C:\History1\01HISTORYCD-Welcome!.htm Keep both Parts 1 and 2 open and you can toggle back and forth using your Alt-Tab key combination, or your mouse. Contents: In this Encyclopedia you will find information on early calculators, early counting methods, early typewriting mechanisms, developments in vacuum tube technology and transistorized circuits, early electromechanical calculators, early electronic digital computers as well as modern microprocessor-based systems. We have also included information on many computer companies as well as brief biographical sketches of many computer pioneers. Also, this special edition of History of Computing contains Mr. Brooke W. Boering's fascinating historical pages and photos of the Comptometer adding machine. Industry Growth: The number of computers in the world has grown tremendously during the past 20 years. It is estimated that the total number of computers in the world is over 500 million. In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 160 million computers, with 150 million of these being personal computers. This reference guide covers hundreds of calculators, early large computers and early microcomputers. No single book can cover the entire subject of computing. However, we hope that this unique CD ROM guide will provide you with valuable information that will spark your interest towards further exploration of this fascinating subject. Our Goals are to: - Increase the appreciation of computer history as a valuable topic of study; - Provide a computer-based reference guide to make learning fun and easy; - Provide a general overview of the subject of computing technology; and - Spark your interest in the field and excite you into further reading and exploration!