Day in Tech History

May 23, 2019

May 24, 1985: AOL (as Quantum Computer Services) Founded

1985– Quantum Computer Services was founded. Technically, it was a reorganization of Control Video Corporation, a company that started in 1983. The company was selling online service “Gameline” to Atari 2600 users. You would pay $49.95 for the modem and also a one-time $15 setup fee. With the reorganization, Jim Kimsey became Chief Executive Officer and Marc Seriff took the CTO role. Ninety employees quit, ten remained. The company changed to sell Quantum Link for Commodore 64 and 128 consoles. Eventually, they would get into AppleLink and PC Link. Quantum Computer Services eventually (October 1989) changed their name to America Online (AOL). Jim Kimsey left...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Computer / Day in Tech History

May 22, 2019

May 23, 1995: MySQL Released RDBMS

1995– MySQL releases their SQL database program for web pages. This is known as a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). MySQL uses C and C++, the SQL parser used yacc and a hybrid of lexer called “sql_lex.cc”. Many different websites to this day use versions of MySQL, including us at Geekazine and the Day in Tech History. Windows Vista Beta 2 is released Kevin Mitnick is arrested NEC gets into the home video game market Twitter purchased Tweetdeck Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Day in Tech History / Internet

May 21, 2019

May 22, 1973: Ethernet is Proposed

1973 – Robert Metcalfe writes a thirteen-page memo describing a new type of data transmission method. His memo was entitled “Ether Acquisition”, which would connect Hawaii’s ALOHA Network. Alto Ethernet was born on paper, but didn’t see operation until November 11, 1973 when it was implemented. Metcalfe was awarded the IEEE Medal of Honor in 1996 for his work on inventing Ethernet. He was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007. Robert Metcalfe describes a new device called the Laser Printer Adobe ships Illustrator 7.0 Apple splits Newton into it’s own division SpaceX Launched and docks with...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Apple / Day in Tech History

May 20, 2019

May 21, 2001: Mac OS X Server Released

2001 – Apple released the Mac OS X Server, based on Rhapsody, which was a hybrid of NeXT OPENSTEP. The server ran file services, Macintosh Manager, Quicktime Streaming Server, WebObjects, NetBoot and more. Each new version of OS X Server then coincided with the desktop release name – Jaguar, Panther, Leopard, etc. “Built on Mac OS X’s incredibly stable and robust foundation, Mac OS X Server has the power of UNIX, yet is simple and easy to install, administer and maintain,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Mac OS X Server is Apple’s most powerful server ever...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Day in Tech History / Internet

May 19, 2019

May 20, 2013: Tumblr Acquired

2013 – In a $1.1 billion deal, Yahoo acquired the blogging site Tumblr. This caused many concerns for those using the service – especially those who curate blogs with pornographic content. However, Yahoo insisted they will be running Tumblr as a separate company and will not interrupt any account unless it breaks laws (such as child pornography). Yahoo did de-list a lot of those blogs in their search a couple months later to give others a clean-search experience. In 2017, Verizon bought Yahoo, and all remaining assets thereof. Tumblr is an “Oath Subsidiary”, meaning it works independent to Verizon. In March,...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Day in Tech History / Geek

May 18, 2019

May 19, 1999: Star Wars Episode I Released

1999 – Sixteen years after “Return of the Jedi”, George Lucas finally moves his vision forward with “Star Wars: Episode I – the Phantom Menace”. The story of young Anakin Skywalker and how Obi-Wan Kenobi brought him in, trained him, and ultimately lost him to the dark side. Episode I grossed over $924.3 million worldwide and became one of the highest-grossing films of 1999. The 2nd set trilogy would continue with Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The movie was received with warm reviews. The general consensus was the character development lacked while the scenes, characters, and landscapes were breathtaking....

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Day in Tech History / Geek

May 17, 2019

May 18, 2001: Shrek Hits Theaters

2001 – The computer animated movie “Shrek” hits theaters. The 90 minute movie was produced on a $60 million budget and although it’s first weekend only saw $42 million , the overall theatrical run brought in $487 million. Shrek was the first computer animated film to win an Academy Award (Best Animated Feature). Sony establishes: Sony Computer Entertainment of America Dell add AMD processors Facebook adds OpenID Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Computer / Day in Tech History

May 16, 2019

May 17, 1902: The Antikythera mechanism

1902 – The Antikythera mechanism was found off the coast of Greece. They only found a part of it, and wasn’t really sure what it did. Eventually, this device was declared to be the oldest known analog computer. The device was used to predict eclipses and astronomical events so ships could plan accordingly. The device was found by archaeologist Valerios Stais. British science historian Derek de Solla Price dated the device to 87 BCE. He concluded the device was lost only a few years after it’s production. The low-tin bronze device (5% tin, 95% Copper) made the corrosion impossible to try and start...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Day in Tech History / Geek

May 15, 2019

May 16, 1965: Uh Oh! SpaghettiOs!

1965 – The Campbell soup company, under their Franco-American brand, introduce SpaghettiO’s pasta in a can. The ring-shaped pasta and cheese blend was an easy way (and less messy) to make the kids a meal. Simply open the can and pour into the pan! The idea was created by Donald Goerke – known as “Daddy-O of SpaghettiO’s”. The company tested out many shapes before they decided the “O” was the least messy to serve and eat. Jimmie Rodgers sang the famous “Uh-Oh! SpaghettiOs” at the time. Sugar Labs extends Sugar OS to EeePC OS X Tiger vs. Tiger Direct ruling. Podcast:...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe! Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More