Notices by Computer Chronicles Revisited (chronrevisited@mastodon.social)

@dosnostalgic This doesn't even account for the various add-on utilities that were sold for Lotus and similar programs back in the day. One that was mentioned in the last "Computer Chronicles" episode I covered was "Sideways," which let you print a 1-2-3 spreadsheet horizontally. That feature probably set someone back another $50 or $60.

@fribbledom So basically HyperCard? 😛

@48kRAM @dosnostalgic Coincidentally, the next "Computer Chronicles" I'm reviewing from 1986 mentions the first IRS test program for not just filing returns online but getting refunds through "electronic transfers."

Working on the new blog post today. The most notable product covered in this 1986 "Chronicles" episode was probably QuoTrek, which might have been the first commercially available device for receiving wireless data.

QuoTrek relied on FM radio signals to receive live stock quotes. In the early 1980s, the FCC had approved the use of subbands to transmit data. Basically, local FM radio stations would piggyback the QuoTrek data on their signals.