About this season
The Computer Chronicles was an American television series, broadcast during 1981-2002 on Public Broadcasting Service public television, which documented the rise of the personal computer from its infancy to the immense market at the turn of the 21st century. The series was created in the Fall of 1981, by Stewart Cheifet, then the station manager of the College of San Mateo's KCSM-TV, initially broadcast as a local weekly series. Jim Warren was its founding host for its 1981-1982 season. It aired continuously from 1981 to 2002 with Cheifet co-hosting most of its later seasons. Gary Kildall served as co-host for six years providing insights and commentary on products as well as discussions on the future of the ever-expanding personal computer sphere.
Episodes (26)
1. Push Technology
Aired 7 October 1997
As the Internet evolved, the big buzzword became "push", as in push information down to you and not wait for you pull it up. This program looks at several approaches to push technology.
2. Internet Advertising
Aired 14 October 1997
3. Java Tools
Aired 21 October 1997
The rise of the web created an opportunity for a programming language that was independent of the user platform. Java was the first major language to take advantage of that.
4. Virtual Universities
Aired 28 October 1997
With the growing sophistication of the Internet, colleges and universities started to build an online curriculum to enable students to take credit classes on the web.
5. Cyber Fiction
Aired 4 November 1997
The advent of the computer and the internet provided a totally new platform for story telling. This program looks at a new paradigm for novelists using interactive technology.
6. ETRE Conference Budapest: Part 1
Aired 11 November 1997
7. ETRE Conference Budapest: Part 2
Aired 18 November 1997
8. Electronic Commerce
Aired 25 November 1997
A look at the growing business of electronic commerce based on computers and the internet.
9. Battle of the Browsers
Aired 2 December 1997
When Microsoft started giving away Internet Explorer, it became a serious challenger for Netscape. This program looked at the battle to become the dominant internet browser platform.
10. Consumer's Buying Guide
Aired 9 December 1997
11. Comdex Special 1997
Aired 16 December 1997
A review of new products introduced at the 1997 annual Comdex trade show in Las Vegas.
12. Web Plug-Ins
Aired 13 January 1998
In the early days of the web, you often had to add a variety of applications to make your web browser fully functional. These were sometimes called web plug-ins.
13. Cyber Privacy
Aired 20 January 1998
How do you maintain your privacy and still play in the online world? This program offers some suggestions.
14. Putting Your Business Online
Aired 27 January 1998
The internet enabled just about anyone to open up an online business. But how do you do it? This program looks at several tools and options.
15. Online Games
Aired 3 February 1998
As the web continued to grow, games started moving off the PC and onto the internet.
16. Home Design Software
Aired 10 February 1998
CAD software eventually migrated down to home users with tools that let you design the inside and outside of your house.
17. Storage Solutions
Aired 17 February 1998
Files were getting bigger and bigger and computer users were struggling to find more efficient ways to store their data.
18. Internet Showcase, San Diego
Aired 24 February 1998
19. My Web Site
Aired 17 March 1998
Creating your own web site requires a lot of work to be appealing and accessible.
20. Desktop Video
Aired 24 March 1998
A review of some of the early hardware and software products for desktop video.
22. SPA Codie Awards 1998
Aired 21 April 1998
On-location coverage of the 1998 annual CODIE awards presented by the Software Publishers Association.
24. Computer Bowl X: Part 1
Aired 5 May 1998
East meets West in this classic quiz show about computer trivia.
25. Computer Bowl X: Part 2
Aired 12 May 1998
The conclusion of this annual quiz show classic on computer trivia in which East meets West.
26. Digital Living Room
Aired 14 July 1998
On-location coverage of the 1998 Digital Living Room conference presented by Upside magazine in Laguna Niguel, California.
21. Online Travel Planning
Aired 31 March 1998
Online travel sites grew from just booking planes and hotels to planning exotic adventure trips.
23. Doc in a Box - Healthcare Software
Aired 28 April 1998
New software and online resources can turn your computer into a health information center.