Yesterday the post man brought me my copy of On The Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore.
Last night I read just over 100 pages of the 548 page history book and is it ever an interesting story!
I knew Commodore did a lot in the early days of microcomputers, but I didn't realize how much of an innovator Commodore (and the people who worked for her) were.
So far, I've read about how Bill Gates took credit for inspiring the Commodore developers for their innovations, while it was the Commodore developers who told Bill how they wanted him to write and improve his version of the BASIC operating system. Which he then sold to other microcomputer makers, like Tandy and Apple.
I also read about how Commodore makers (Chuck Peddle) helped two kids named Steven and Steve get their first micro kit working... called the Apple I. Later, Apple Corp. took credit for being the show-stoppers at the first computer trade show of it's kind in California. While, in fact, not one news or magazine writer commented on their fledgling Apple II. However, everyone was writing about and praising the Commodore PET as the microcomputer that set the standards for the industry.
Like I said, I'm only through the first 100 pages, but there's so many interesting little stories like this that make this a very entertaining book. I'm really eager to read the rest of it when I get home tonight from the office.
Anyone here who likes reading and learning about the history of this industry should pick up a copy and read the true story for themselves.
It's a very good book!
Computing history book: On The Edge
Moderators: snarkout, Patrick, dann
While I have not read your review yet, I did get the book a few days ago. I'm on the last two short stories on this David Sedaris book I am currently reading and hope to start On the Edge tonight or tomorrow.Judland wrote:I finally got around to posting a review of the book, if anyone's interested.
The wife saw the book and was very interested. She wanted to cart it off to Virginia. I said no way until I read it!
After a bit into it I will read your review.
Hey, Dann. That's great! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.dann wrote: While I have not read your review yet, I did get the book a few days ago. I'm on the last two short stories on this David Sedaris book I am currently reading and hope to start On the Edge tonight or tomorrow.
The wife saw the book and was very interested. She wanted to cart it off to Virginia. I said no way until I read it!
After a bit into it I will read your review.
Being such a big part of my high-school and college days, and the system (the C64, that is) that got me going in the computer world in the first place, reading about the company's history and the people behind it was really interesting to me.
Then again, I'm one of those people that just likes using computer in general, no matter what the capacity.
Yes, Pat, after reading this book, I determined that the computing industry would be much different today if Commodore management didn't shoot themselves in the foot so badly.
Dann, glad to hear that you're enjoying the book.
It really is interesting to read about the history of the micro computer from a different perspective (rather than from the view of the Microsoft and Apple PR idiots).
Trivia from the book:
Which 90's Sci-Fi television show used a network of Amigas to do their CG work?
It really is interesting to read about the history of the micro computer from a different perspective (rather than from the view of the Microsoft and Apple PR idiots).
Trivia from the book:
Which 90's Sci-Fi television show used a network of Amigas to do their CG work?
This book sounds awesome and I'm looking forward to the interview with the author. I am going to have to get a copy. Hearing you guys talk about the C-64 brought back some serious memories... I had one and loved it. I may have to check out ebay and see if there is a cheap one to pick up. The wife will think I'm crazy, but what the hell.
Chess Griffin
I picked up the book and so far it's really good. You can read a couple sample chapters on the book's website:Chess wrote:This book sounds awesome and I'm looking forward to the interview with the author. I am going to have to get a copy. Hearing you guys talk about the C-64 brought back some serious memories...
http://www.commodorebook.com/index.php
Allan would really appreciate the first couple of chapters when they discuss the manual techniques used in chip design and manufacturing. It's the equivalent of the NASA engineers getting men on the moon using slide rules.
Ego contemno licentia