Dan Fylstra: Difference between revisions
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{{notability|Biographies|date=March 2010}} |
{{notability|Biographies|date=March 2010}} |
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'''Dan Fylstra''' is a pioneer of the |
'''Dan Fylstra''' is a pioneer of the software products industry. In 1975 he was a founding associate editor of [[BYTE Magazine]]. In 1978 he co-founded [[Personal Software]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,925281-3,00.html |title=Sagas of Five Who Made It |work=[[Time Magazine]] |date=Feb. 15, 1982}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921076-2,00.html |title=Software for the Masses |author=Kenneth M. Pierce and Michael Moritz |work=[[Time Magazine]] |date=Oct. 05, 1981}}</ref> Personal Software became the distributor of a new program called [[VisiCalc]], the first widely used computer [[spreadsheet]] popularly known as the first "[[killer app]]" -- or the "software tail that wags the hardware dog." In his marketing efforts Fylstra ran teaser ads in Byte that asked "How did you ever do without it?"<ref>"VisiCalc of Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston" [http://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Software/Visicalc.html] (July 2011)</ref> Once VisiCalc caught on, people came into computer stores asking for VisiCalc and then also the computer (the Apple II) they would need to run the program. VisiCalc sales exceeded 100,000 by 1981.<ref>Paul Ceruzzi, A History of Modern Computing (MIT Press, 1998), 267-68.</ref> Fylstra later became the chairman of [[VisiCorp]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,953342,00.html |title=Roaming High-Tech Pirates |work=[[Time Magazine]] |date=Feb. 08, 1982}}</ref> |
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In 1998 he joined the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]]. |
In 1998 he joined the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]]. |
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Revision as of 17:03, 5 July 2011
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for biographies. (March 2010) |
Dan Fylstra is a pioneer of the software products industry. In 1975 he was a founding associate editor of BYTE Magazine. In 1978 he co-founded Personal Software.[1][2] Personal Software became the distributor of a new program called VisiCalc, the first widely used computer spreadsheet popularly known as the first "killer app" -- or the "software tail that wags the hardware dog." In his marketing efforts Fylstra ran teaser ads in Byte that asked "How did you ever do without it?"[3] Once VisiCalc caught on, people came into computer stores asking for VisiCalc and then also the computer (the Apple II) they would need to run the program. VisiCalc sales exceeded 100,000 by 1981.[4] Fylstra later became the chairman of VisiCorp.[5]
In 1998 he joined the Libertarian Party.
Fylstra is the former president of Sierra Sciences, and is currently president of software vendor Frontline Systems.
References
- ^ "Sagas of Five Who Made It". Time Magazine. Feb. 15, 1982.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Kenneth M. Pierce and Michael Moritz (Oct. 05, 1981). "Software for the Masses". Time Magazine.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "VisiCalc of Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston" [1] (July 2011)
- ^ Paul Ceruzzi, A History of Modern Computing (MIT Press, 1998), 267-68.
- ^ "Roaming High-Tech Pirates". Time Magazine. Feb. 08, 1982.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Dan Fylstra - Libertarian from Advocates for Self-Government website
- Opening Pandora's Box: An Open Letter about the Politicization of the PC Industry by Dan Fylstra.
- [2] - Computer History Museum photo of Dan Fylstra with VisiOn and VisiCalc
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