Premium Essay

Triumph of the Nerds

In:

Submitted By amchambers1979
Words 926
Pages 4
Triumph of The Nerds-Part 1
Bob Cringely
“PC gossip columnist”

Abstract

Bob Cringely puts PC big shots and nerds on the spot, and tells their incredible true stories from his own Silicon Valley garage. Bob speaks about the emergence of the Personal Computer (PC), stimulating the “PC Revolution”. And it was all started by nerds. It happened more or less by accident; the people who made it happened were amateurs; and for the most part still are. Part 1 is entitled: IMPRESSING THEIR FRIENDS-They did it because they were geniuses; they did it because they were addicted to the mental challenge. But mostly they just invented personal computing to impress their friends. From the Homebrew Computer Club and the first PC—the Altair 8800—they went from being hobbyists to holding court to IBM. The video is more than an entertaining look at the PC industry.

Part I: Impressing their Friends, documents how a bunch of high school and college “nerds” created the microcomputer, not as a means to great wealth, but simply as a hobby to impress their friends. Only Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Microsoft co-founders, Bill Gates and Paul Allen seemed to sense at this point in time the business potential at this early stage of the industry. The computer industry might not have taken off, if it were not for the Hippies. They caused the development of the PC industry. And in the “Homebrew Club”, a PC computer called Apple was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Apple had a shaky beginning, but Steve Jobs turned to venture capital for funding. The result is the “Apple II”. The “Apple II” was a hit, being brilliantly designed by Steve Jobs. Sales and profits were so good that Apple soon have more money than they can spend. But the PC was still mostly for hobbyist. Then came the software and applications, which made the PC more useful. The first to appear is the spread sheet,

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Triumph of the Nerds

...Valentino Cervantes NT1110 Saturday AM Triumph of the Nerds Part I Synopsis Triumph of the Nerds is a biographical account of the inception of the personal computer. Narrated by Bob Cringely, we learn the history of the major players and contributors to the new personal computer era. Bob spends time telling the story of how the personal computer was developed and what it consisted of in its original state when it was a piece of ply wood and some circuits that you had to assemble and how it had been put together by Steve Wozniak one of the original founders of Apple Inc. Bob also spends some time sharing with us the creation of Apple Inc., and its founders including Steve Jobs. He introduces us to Paul Allen an original founder of Microsoft along with Bill Gates. Bob takes us on a wonderful journey into the world of the personal computer and gives us an insightful view on what the wonderful world of computers has become since its inception in the late 70's and early 80's. He shares with us the beginnings of "code" and what its purpose was and how essential it has now become in our productivity and personal lives for our computers. Produced in the mid 90's this movie had not realized the possibilities or potentials for where the personal computer would be later in that era, as well as into the new millennia and beyond. As I sit here in 2014 with this wonderful opportunity placed before me to become involved and engulfed by this new technological era, I look forward to...

Words: 288 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Triumph of the Nerds

...Reaction Paper Triumph of the Nerds In the early 80's nobody really knew what a computer was. Many people probably never saw a computer in person. Bill Gates and Paul Allen are people whose work together to make today’s life easier as what Microsoft known. After the mild success of the Microsoft other people wanted to make computers as well. Two such men were Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. They started a computer company out of a garage called Apple and set about to make a better computer. After this event was successfully released, the product of Apple. Many more people started to use a PC. It always says that: Starting point is very useful in terms of invention because it is a basis of improvement because after the Microsoft and Apple was known; the IBM was launch. IBM was started by Tom Watson and Tom Watson Jr. and based on the documentary that I’ve seen, it was documented the lifestyle of being an employee of IBM, the way they go to office and other specific things concerning being an employee of the company. It was also stated that the Relationship between IBM and Microsoft was an interesting one. It lasted 10 years and made both companies a lot of money. IBM became the biggest PC manufacturer because of it but because of some mistakes also cost them a lot of money in the long run. Therefore, I conclude that The Triumph of the Nerds is one of the most important stories in human culture. It is the great story in the history that has affected the daily living...

Words: 320 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Triumph of the Nerds

...REACTION PAPER Prepared to: MS. AILEEN L. RILLON The Triumph of the Nerds is a documentary chronicles of the rise of the personal computer/home computer beginning in the 1970s with the Altair 8800, Apple I and Apple II and VisiCalc. It highlighted the progress and competitiveness of the market between companies like Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Xerox, and Lotus, just to name a few. It continues through the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh revolution through the 1980s and the mid 1990s, ending at the beginning of the Dot-com boom with the release of Windows 95. The Triumph of the Nerds is one of the most important stories in human culture. It is the great story in the history that has affected the daily living of the individuals today…and obviously, for the next years, centuries, and millennium to come. With the human, he has transformed the existence of the people at the speed of an avalanche. It created another new dimension to discover and to explore. It leads our lives in another portal of world. Consider current trends such as today’s youth do not like to talk on the telephone. They should rather communicate via electronic telegrams tapped out with their thumbs. That is very strange. What if those “nerds” did not come up with the idea of creating computer? What would possibly happen to us? In a world characterized by a chaotic lifestyle of the “instant”, it is not uncommon to be caught in the whirlwind of hi-tech era. One very obvious application of computers in our lives is the...

Words: 593 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Triumph of the Nerds Paper

...The Triumph of the nerds Paper The first true nerds were young men who obsessed over computer programming. They would stay up for days at a time to program, not talk to anyone, smell terrible, and fell in love with computers. They developed the first more or less working computers and some applications, better operating systems and such. Nerds created programs for fun, tried to take over the computer market, and continued to expand their knowledge. Impressing Their Friends-The first computer developed by these nerds was developed in a garage in Silicon Valley. Every one of them built a version of a computer in their garages. Ed Roberts developed the Altair (first personal computer) which worked by flipping a series of switches. Many programmers enjoyed this version, but thought it to be too annoying to work with. Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs later enhanced the Altair with developments and named it Apple2 . Which boomed the market . Grace Hopper developed COBOL which made it possible for them to advance much easier. More people created applications that made the display more attractive, and more fun. Riding the Bear-With all the computer companies existing in the world, new companies could not really take off. Many of the major companies competed for ownership of the world’s computer users. IBM was in trouble, and in order to save themselves, they thought up a new idea: use non IBM products. That worked quite well, but Bill Gates (Microsoft) was still the wealthiest man in...

Words: 640 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Triumph Of The Nerds Analysis

...Triumph of the Nerds was produced to inform the public of the development of the personal computer. By creating the personal computer, an industrial revolution was launched and it has changed every way in which we communicate, work, and spend our free time today. One key question associated with this video is “how did this revolution begin?” The answer is that the industry of personal computers began when a group of “nerds” pushed themselves to create something to impress their friends and all of those around them. The most important information provided here is the history and insight into the time it took to develop the personal computer. There were countless long hours and plenty of dedication involved in launching the PC. One of the main inferences/conclusions that I felt was presented in this video was that this type of work and industry are more of a “man’s” game. Considering that Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniack, Bill Gates and many others are immediately associated with the launch PC revolution, it is (to a degree) understandable that the producers of the film and many others in society automatically see this field as a “man’s world.” Since it was a handful of men that opened the door to this business, one can see why many individuals feel...

Words: 685 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Summary of Triumph of the Nerds

...Gordon Moore, to develop a microprocessor, which shrunk down the size of the processor by placing millions of transistors on a single chip. Now computers instead of taking up an entire room could now fit on a desk. After this discovery people wanted to make a computer the average person could afford. Ed Roberts the owner of a computer calculator company called MITS was the architect of this endeavor. He came up with the first P.C. and called it Altair. It was designed as a kit that the buyer had to put together. As with anything, if you did not put it together properly it would not work. After the introduction of Altair other people wanted to make computers as well. People such as Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and because of all of these “nerds” they help fuel the economic boom of the 1980’s and changed how businesses ran companies. The first P.C Altair was a large box that had a front panel on it and numerous switches on it to input data. The Altair had no external display and no other inputs or outputs for anything. If person flipped the right switches in the correct order a light would blink on the display informing them they did the process correctly. The Altair required a basic interpreter to do anything useful on it not requiring the switches. This...

Words: 1449 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Aaawaw

...The Triumph of the Nerds is a documentary chronicles of the rise of the personal computer/home computer beginning in the 1970s with the Altair 8800, Apple I and Apple II and VisiCalc. It highlighted the progress and competitiveness of the market between companies like Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Xerox, and Lotus, just to name a few. It continues through the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh revolution through the 1980s and the mid 1990s, ending at the beginning of the Dot-com boom with the release of Windows 95. The Triumph of the Nerds is one of the most important stories in human culture. It is the great story in the history that has affected the daily living of the individuals today…and obviously, for the next years, centuries, and millennium to come. With the human, he has transformed the existence of the people at the speed of an avalanche. It created another new dimension to discover and to explore. It leads our lives in another portal of world. Consider current trends such as today’s youth do not like to talk on the telephone. They should rather communicate via electronic telegrams tapped out with their thumbs. That is very strange. What if those “nerds” did not come up with the idea of creating computer? What would possibly happen to us? In a world characterized by a chaotic lifestyle of the “instant”, it is not uncommon to be caught in the whirlwind of hi-tech era. One very obvious application of computers in our lives is the used of social networking. Social networking is on...

Words: 343 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Steves'

...In the earlier parts of the film, "Triumph of the Nerds", we saw that Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs were members of the Silicon Valley's Homebrew Computer Club. The so called computer back then called the "Altair 8800", was nothing more than something that the nerds of that time played with. It did not seem to do anything useful. Because people did not know what to do about it, some people would find some kind of use of the "Altair 8800", most of which were the nerds of Silicon Valley. It was always a hot topic in the Homebrew Computer Club when someone comes up with a use or a function of their "toy", and that someone is subject to a lot of attention and praise. One nerd, called Steve Wozniak, wanted that praise and attention. That's why he spent lots of time and hard work on coming up with a use for their "toy". One day, the time came for his dream to unfold. At the end of one particular meeting of the club, Wozniak told everyone around him what he had figured out with this "toy" of theirs. Of course, lots of applause and praises came from the other members, but there was one person in particular, who saw the possible business opportunity because of this invention. And so the two of them decided to sell Wozniak's work. They faced several trials and setbacks on their quest. But with the vision of Steve Jobs that this invention would turn the world upside down, he didn't give up and eventually landed a deal with the Byte Shop, a local computer store, for 100 pre-assembled machines...

Words: 291 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Innovation and Immitation

...Alexander, Eduardo S. Peñalver on page 194; you may see this book online at http://bit.ly/RjvbzS. 6. On the Harvard Business school website they discuss much of Edison’s life and technology brokering and how Edison had mastered the idea. For more information visit http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3613.html. 7. http://bit.ly/WeShMF is an article about the details in the Microsoft and Apple lawsuit. 8. There is a TED talk “Kirby Ferguson: Embrace the remix” that addresses Apple and there patents. You can watch this very informative video at http://bit.ly/MHw5TY. 10. This is a TED talk http://bit.ly/jqZD9 that was released a year before the release of the iPhone. 11. This is the clip from "Triumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires." http://bit.ly/j2ViJ wear Steve’s infamous quote. 12. Here is a image of the original Patent Act of 1790...

Words: 275 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Summary: The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao

...Fantasizing about a better life—one not cursed by the fukú—Oscar dreamt of his post-apocalyptic rescues of beautiful women, all of whom he would win over with his genius and combined world-class martial artistry and deadly firearms proficiency: “Dude wore his nerdiness like a Jedi wore his lightsaber or a Lensman her lens. Couldn’t have passed for Normal if he’d wanted to. Oscar was a social introvert who trembled with fear during gym class and watched nerd British shows…” (Díaz 21-22). While Oscar reveres those who have special physical traits—recherché qualities that allow them to be heroic and serve the greater good—he himself maintains none of these attributes. His only unique characteristic is his nerdiness, which he wears “like a Jedi wore his lightsaber”: with pride. However, though nerdiness is an unlikely heroic characteristic and is clearly not “super,” Oscar, an unlikely hero, and his tenaciousness in exploring his interests exhibits his heroic struggle against the fukú. Exploited by all, even his closest “friends”, Oscar stood up for himself and his beliefs, putting forth bravery and mental fortitude, his greatest heroic virtues: “In the old days when his so-called friends would...

Words: 685 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Steve Jobs

...STILI UDHEHEQES I STEVE JOBS Bibliografia e Steve Jobs * Ka lindur ne 24 Shkurt 1955 dhe eshte femi i adaptuar nga Paul & Clara Jobs. * Ka punuar per HP ne nje program internshipi mbas shkolles se mesme. * E ka lene kolegjin qe ne semestrin e pare. * 1976: Themeloi Apple Computers me Steve Wozniak ne 1976. * 1984: Prezantoi Modelin Macintosh ne treg * 1985: Dha doreheqjen nga Drejtimi i Apple computers I detyruar nga Bordi I Drejtuesve. * 1986 Themeloi Next Computers * 1986: Bashke themelues I Pixar Animation Studio. * 1997: Next computers ju shit Apple & Jobs u be perseri CEO. * 2001: Lancoi revolucionarin ipod * 2007: Prezantoi 3G iphone, te parin e llojit te tij ne treg. Sharmi (Charisma) What is charisma? In Dubrins book on leadership he suggests that charisma “involves a relationship between the leader and the people being led”6. He furthermore points to the importance of “management by inspiration” as he calls it and he point to the different communication styles of a charismatic leader7. In essence, charisma is a key aspect of leadership, as Dubrin discusses. Steve Jobs is famed for his ability to give speeches and captivate the audience’ attention8. He is able to captivate his employees and audience with the ability of an evangelist. In this respect we can observe that he posses the charismatic abilities that Dubrin demands by communicating his ideas using metaphors and...

Words: 1980 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Bibliography

...I. TABLE OF CONTENTS IIA. INTRODUCTION --------------------------------------------------------- 2 - 3 - Statement of the Problem ------------------------------------------------------------ 3 - Significance of the Study -----------------------------------------------------------3 - 4 - Scope and Limitations ------------------------------------------------------------ 4 - Definition of Terms ---------------------------------------------------------- 4 - 5 IIB. MAIN BODY ------------------------------------------------------------ 6 - 9 Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------ 9 Recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------ 10 III. BIBLIOGRAPHY ---------------------------------------------------------- 11 - 12 IIA. INTRODUCTION In our everyday life, we always receive opinions from other people. These can be criticisms and good or bad comments. We are free to express these opinions but there are some who express it over that sometimes they may hurt someone’s feelings. If this will be repeatedly done and is getting worse that they can really affect the mental behavior of someone, then this will be called as bullying. Bullying is the repeated and systematic harassment or attack on someone. It is a habitual abuse...

Words: 2829 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Hello

...------------------------------------------------- Bill Gates From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For other people named Bill Gates, see Bill Gates (disambiguation). Bill Gates | Gates in June 2015. | Born | William Henry Gates III October 28, 1955 (age 59) Seattle, Washington, U.S. | Residence | Medina, Washington, U.S. | Nationality | American | Alma mater | Harvard University (dropped out) | Occupation | Technology Advisor of Microsoft Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO of Cascade Investment Chair of Corbis | Years active | 1975–present | Net worth | US$76.5 billion (October 2015)[1] | Board member of | Microsoft Berkshire Hathaway | Religion | Roman Catholicism (formerlyCongregationalism)[2] | Spouse(s) | Melinda Gates (m. 1994) | Children | 3 | Parent(s) | William H. Gates, Sr. Mary Maxwell Gates | Website | the Gates Notes | Signature | | William Henry "Bill" Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is an American business magnate, philanthropist, investor, computer programmer, and inventor.[3][4][5] In 1975, Gates and Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft, which became the world's largest PC software company. During his career at Microsoft, Gates held the positions of chairman, CEO andchief software architect, and was the largest individual shareholder until May 2014.[6][a] Gates has authored and co-authored several books. Starting in 1987, Gates was included in the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people[9] and...

Words: 9788 - Pages: 40

Free Essay

Craigslist Study

...Nova Southeastern University Wayne Huizenga Graduate School of Business & Entrepreneurship Assignment for Course: MGT5015 Submitted to: Submitted by: Date of Submission: Title of Assignment: CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that any assistance I received in its preparation is fully acknowledge and disclosed in the paper. I have also cited any sources from which I used data, ideas of words, whether quoted directly or paraphrased. I also certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for this course. Student Signature: ___________________________ Student Signature: ___________________________ Student Signature: ___________________________ Student Signature: ___________________________ Student Signature: ___________________________ ******************************************* Instructor’s Grade on Assignment: Instructor’s Comments: Table of Contents Introduction……………………………………………………………………………pg. 3 Legal Section………………….……………………………………………………....pg. 5 Relevant Legal Principles…………………………………………..................pg. 6 Application of Law …………………………………………….….………….pg. 7 Legal Conclusion………...…….……………………………….……..............pg. 8 Ethic Section……………………………………...……………………….…………..pg. 8 Utilitarian Ethical Analysis……………………………………………………pg. 8 Kantian Ethical Analysis……………………………….………….................pg. 12 Machiavellian Virtues………………………………………………………..pg...

Words: 7152 - Pages: 29

Free Essay

Ideavirus

...Unleashing the Ideavirus 1 www.ideavirus.com Unleashing the Ideavirus By Seth Godin Foreword by Malcolm Gladwell ©2000 by Do You Zoom, Inc. You have permission to post this, email this, print this and pass it along for free to anyone you like, as long as you make no changes or edits to its contents or digital format. In fact, I’d love it if you’d make lots and lots of copies. The right to bind this and sell it as a book, however, is strictly reserved. While we’re at it, I’d like to keep the movie rights too. Unless you can get Paul Newman to play me. Ideavirus™ is a trademark of Do You Zoom, Inc. So is ideavirus.com™. Designed by Red Maxwell You can find this entire manifesto, along with slides and notes and other good stuff, at www.ideavirus.com. This version of the manifesto is current until August 17, 2000. After that date, please go to www.ideavirus.com and get an updated version. You can buy this in book form on September 1, 2000. This book is dedicated to Alan Webber and Jerry Colonna. Of course. Unleashing the Ideavirus 2 www.ideavirus.com STEAL THIS IDEA! Here’s what you can do to spread the word about Unleashing the Ideavirus: 1. Send this file to a friend (it’s sort of big, so ask first). 2. Send them a link to www.ideavirus.com so they can download it themselves. 3. Visit www.fastcompany.com/ideavirus to read the Fast Company article. 4. Buy a copy of the hardcover book at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0970309902/permissionmarket. 5...

Words: 52238 - Pages: 209