Sometime in the past, I got rid of my copies of Sacra Blue and then I thought of this history project. Over time, I regathered these issues, with many of the issues coming from Mark Jacobs. I did not have anything prior to April 1985. Frank Leonard came to my rescue and lent me most of the early years and the ones I was missing from 1991 and 1996. I have now seen almost every issue of Sacra Blue.

I have tried to identify all of the products that were presented to the group and the people who presented them. It is interesting to see presenters who came to us various times, working for different companies.

I also tried to identify the volunteers as they came and went. I caught the ones that were announced at the general meeting but I know I missed a lot of them. As an example, I did not find where I took over the Windows SIG and started the Beginners SIG. Someday I may go through and try to fill in some more of the blanks, but this is a pretty complete document as it stands.

I have inserted historical events (like product released and company mergers) that occurred outside the group to help show the relevance of presentations. You may notice that we saw a lot of things when they were very new. I also added in some industry quotes that I found interesting.

This has been an interesting project to do. I have learned things I did not know and remembered things I forgot. I hope you enjoy reading it.

"But what ... is it good for?" —Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.

Just to put things into perspective, I have included several months of historical information prior to the formation of the Sacramento IBM PC Users Group (SIBMPCUG). I, for one, am glad they shortened the name in later months to Sacramento PC Users Group (SPCUG).

Hayes Microcomputers Products' employee, Dale Heatherington, develops the +++ escape sequence for modems.

Microsoft persuades IBM to introduce its microcomputer with a minimum of 64KB RAM. IBM had planned to only include 16KB.

The first IBM PCs roll off the assembly lines.

Hayes Microcomputer Products advertises the Smartmodem 300, which becomes the industry standard.

IBM announces the CGA graphics card for the PC, giving 640x200 resolution with 16 colors.

"I don't think it's that significant." -John Roach, president of Tandy, regarding IBM's entry into the microcomputer field

IBM begins shipping the IBM PC ahead of schedule, something unheard of in the microcomputer industry.

" Welcome IBM. Seriously." -Headline of full-page Apple Computer ad in Wall Street Journal

Microsoft, Incorporated becomes Microsoft Corporation.

Tecmar introduces 20 add-on peripherals for the IBM PC, the first such third-party developer.

Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto, all former senior managers of Texas Instruments, found Compaq Computer Corporation.

Eight months after the introduction of the IBM PC, 50,000 units have been sold.

IBM first offers CP/M-86 for the IBM PC.

Microsoft releases GW-BASIC with advanced graphics capabilities, and Microsoft COBOL for MS-DOS.

IBM releases Digital Research's CP/M-86 for the IBM PC.

Microsoft ships its Multiplan spreadsheet program to IBM for testing and marketing for the IBM PC.

Davong Systems introduces its 5 MB Winchester Disk Drive for the IBM PC, for $2000.

Toshiba America introduces its Toshiba T100 personal computer.

Digital Equipment announces the dual-processor Rainbow 100. It incorporates both Zilog Z-80 and Intel 8088 microprocessors, allowing it to run CP/M as well as CP/M-86 or MS-DOS.

Mouse Systems introduces the first commercial mouse for the IBM PC.

Questionnaires handed out.

Meeting consisted of a round of self-introductions and an open discussion.

Donations in a Brim coffee can total $4.92.

Bill Gates hires James Towne, a manager from Tektronix, as first president of Microsoft.

Intel announces the 80186 microprocessor.

Bob Mix starts as first editor.

The newsletter has no name, is printed on a dot-matrix printer, and is three pages long.

The software library is created. To obtain a copy, you brought in a program, which was added to the library diskette. The entire library was then copied back onto your original diskette. (Of course, single-sided diskettes then held only 160K).

Hercules announces the Hercules Graphics Card (HGC or HGA), with monochrome graphics at 720x348 resolution.

John Warnock founds Adobe Systems.

Personal Software changes its name to VisiCorp.

Special Interest Groups are introduced covering the following topics: Hardware, Software, Profit, Business, Education, and MASM (assembly language).

Four members reported to be using double-sided drives.

Online Systems changed its name to Sierra Online.

Greg Bryson becomes group's first software librarian.

In Sacra Blue article, Bob Mix speculates on DOS 2.0.

IBM begins marketing Microsoft Multiplan for the IBM PC.

The newsletter grows to five pages.

Lotus Development announces the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program.

VisiCorp announces the VisiOn graphical user interface.

Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Portable PC: 4.77MHz 8088, 128KB RAM, 9-inch monochrome monitor, one 320-KB 5.25-inch disk drive, price $3000.

Satellite Software International introduces the WordPerfect word processing program.

Simultaneously, Box Mix tells all he knows (not much) about the Caprock Small C Compiler.

Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 2.0 for DOS, priced at $500.

Dr. Robert Schultz of Schulze Systems in Davis displays the NEC SELLUM letter-quality printer and demonstrates its many professional features.

Rick Hellewell takes over as software librarian.

Dues established at $10 per year instead of depending upon donations.

VisiCorp (formerly Personal Software) sues Software Arts over rights to VisiCalc.

Time magazine selects the microcomputer as its "Man" of the Year.

Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 1.0 for MS-DOS.

Bob Carter shows what can be done using color graphics in BASIC.

IBM announces the IBM PC XT. It adds a 10 MB hard drive, three more expansion slots, and a serial interface. With 128KB RAM and a 360KB floppy drive, it costs $5000.

MS-DOS 2.0 for PCs is announced. It was written from scratch, supporting 10 MB hard drives, a tree-structured file system, and 360 KB floppy disks.

Microsoft creates Microsoft Press as a publishing division.

Microsoft introduces XENIX 3.0.

Microsoft introduces Multi-Tool Word for DOS, a word processing program. The program was later renamed Microsoft Word.

Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 1.A.

ADI shows off the Aladin database.

Microsoft introduces its first mouse, "The Microsoft Mouse," including card and software, for $200.

Bob Mix demonstrates MultiLink.

The newsletter reports the rumors on DOS 3.0 (which could be a multitasking system) and CP/M 4.0.

"We have a long-term relationship with IBM and have solid plans involving PC-DOS." -Microsoft

John Mathews demonstrates the Columbia PC.

The newsletter reports rumors about the Peanut, Popcorn, and the Macintosh.

Milt Hull demonstrates a Diablo 630 printer with sheet feeder.

Milt Hull is appointed vice president and treasurer.

The SPCUG now meets at SMUD at Elkhorn and Don Julio.

Jon Shirley replaces James Towne as president of Microsoft.

Microsoft shows IBM a raw version of Windows. IBM is not interested as they are already developing what would be called TopView.

Doug Draper revisits Lotus 1-2-3.

A slide presentation entitled "Manufacture and Care of Diskettes" is given by Bill Wiles of 3M.

Bob Mix demonstrates the KoalaPad, a "touch tablet" that can be used to draw on the monitor, or as a direct replacement for joysticks.

The 10-page newsletter features the Great Lakes hard disk, MicroRIM's R:base, and Bill Juhl's first article about WordPerfect.

Visi Corp releases VisiOn, an integrated software environment for PCs, for $1765.

IBM announces the IBM PCjr, using Intel's 8088, at $700 for the bare configuration.

IBM introduces PC-DOS 2.1 with the IBM PCjr.

IBM announces the IBM 3270 PC, an 8088-based system, for $4290.

IBM announces the IBM PC-XT Model 370, with 8088 CPU, 768K RAM, 360K drive, and 10 MB hard drive for $9000.

Compaq Computer introduces the Portable Plus.

"We're just sitting here trying to put our PCjrs in a pile and burn them. And the damn things won't burn. That's the only thing IBM did right with it— they made it flameproof." -Spinnaker Software chairman William Bowman

Ed Morrison shows how to make DOS 1.1 do print spooling.

Newsletter features second article about WordPerfect and reports on the PCjr announcement.

Dues rise from $10 to $12 a year.

Microsoft formally announces Microsoft Windows.

Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 3.0 for $500 and Personal WordPerfect for $200.

Borland International releases Turbo Pascal for CP/M and 8086-based computers.

Microsoft officially releases Microsoft Word, for $375, or $475 with the Microsoft Mouse.

"The PCjr is bound to be around for a while." -Sierra Online founder and president, Ken Williams

Newsletter is 10 pages long and features a review of Volkswriter and a critical review of the PCjr keyboard, both by Bill Juhl.

Compaq Computer makes its first public stock offering, raising $67 million.

Bob Mix completes his 18^th and last issue as editor of the newsletter.

Election results: President- George Lefler, VP- Barney McCauley, Editor- Bill Juhl, Librarian- Tony Barcellos, Membership- Milt Hull.

Microsoft releases Multiplan v1.1 for the PC.

IBM announces the IBM Portable PC, for $2900.

IBM sues Eagle Computer and Corona Data Systems for copyright violation of the IBM PC's BIOS, and wins.

Wayne Fong and Eric Saur demonstrate the IBM Personal Portable PC.

Dave Burhan's utilities column and regular library column make their debut in the newsletter.

Ashton-Tate announces the integrated software package, Framework.

Microsoft releases MS-DOS 2.1 for the IBM PCjr and later, MS-DOS 2.11. It includes enhancements to better allow conversion into different languages and date formats.

IBM ships the IBM PCjr. It uses the 8088 CPU, includes 64KB RAM, a "Freeboard" keyboard, and one 5.25-inch disk drive, no monitor, for $1300.

Microsoft decides to temporary shelve work on a new spreadsheet (Excel) for the PC, and concentrate on a version for the Macintosh.

Frank Smith demonstrates the Raccoon Multifunction Card.

Rick Hellewell starts a Beginner's SIG.

The 20-page newsletter features a report on the 1984 West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Word v1.1 for DOS.

Intel introduces the 80186, 80188, and 80286 processors.

The Sperry PC is demonstrated.

The 24-page newsletter features reviews of R:base 4000 and VisiCalc Advanced Version.

Quarterdeck Office Systems officially launches DESQ, a text-based windowing environment for running DOS programs.

Kent Rasmussen demonstrates a network system using Zenith micros.

Fred Boyd demonstrates the PC Mouse.

New group charter is published.

IBM is dropped from the group name.

A Pascal class is started.

A group purchase of floppy disks is planned.

Dues are raised from $12 to $18 per year.

The 26-page newsletter includes the charter for the Sacramento PC Users Group.

The SPCUG now meets at the Almond Plaza.

Ashton-Tate ships dBase III.

Tom Jennings creates the FidoNet BBS network.

Okidata introduces the Okimate 10 thermal transfer color dot matrix printer, for $240.

Russ Roy demonstrates a construction accounting software package.

Steve Forrette connects his PC to the local timesharing system, SYSTIME, and demonstrates its use.

Davis Chapter started by Tony Barcellos.

Claudio starts "The Hardware Bit" column.

IBM introduces a new keyboard for the IBM PCjr, offering a free upgrade to all who want it.

John Knechel gives a presentation on ways to isolate and protect computers from external hazards.

Bob Mix and Bill Juhl demonstrate Lotus Symphony. They each each use a separate computer and do more-or-less the same things so that more people could see what they were doing.

The first saddle-stitched version of the newsletter is published.

The 24-page newsletter is entitled No-Name Newsletter.

Contest announced to name the newsletter. The contest rules: Rule 1- There are no rules. Rule 2- The Streering Committee may disregard Rule 1.

Deep Blue makes his inauspicious debut with a report on officers' trip to San Francisco.

IBM announced the PC AT, a 6 MHz 10286 computer using PC-DOS 3.0, a 5.25-inch 1.2 MB floppy drive, with 256KB RAM, for $4000, which doesn't include hard drive or monitor/card. With a 20 MB hard drive, color card, and monitor: $6700.

IBM announces its PC Network local area network.

IBM introduces PC/IX, based on UNIX System III from AT&T, for the PC AT.

IBM announces TopView, a DOS multitasking program.

IBM announces the Enhanced Color Display monitor with 640x350 resolution, priced at $850.

IBM announces the Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA), supporting up to 640x350 resolution in 16 colors. With 64K, the card costs $524. For 640x350x16 mode, a $200, 64 KB RAM expander is required.

IBM announces the Professional Graphics Display monitor, for $1300. The 14-inch monitor will display up to 256 colors (from 4096) simultaneously at 640x480 resolution.

IBM announces the Professional Graphics Controller card, for $3000. The card takes up two adjacent slots of a PC, and includes an 8-MHz 8088 chip and 384 KB of memory.

Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.0 for PCs. It adds support for 1.2 MB floppy disks, and bigger (than 10 MB) hard disks.

Chuck Horton brings all of the hardware of Big Blue RBBS with him and demonstrates Extended Batch Language.

Art Rankin demonstrates GMW Communications's latest training aid, a video on learning the IBM PC.

The 18-page newsletter is named PC Tales.

Rick Hellewell starts "Beginner's Corner" column.

SPCUG's attendance hits 225 (a new record).

Digital Research announces its GEM icon/desktop user interface for 8086- and DOS-based computers.

Software Arts wins its lawsuit against VisiCorp over the rights to the VisiCalc program. VisiCorp is ordered to pay $500,000 to Software Arts.

Mark Elson of Shoreline Software demonstrates Aston-Tate's Framework.

Mona Chambers-Graham of Ad Type Graphics make a presentation on interfacing typesetting with the IBM PC or other microcomputers using PC Link.

The 24-page PC Tales is printed on an Epson LQ-1500, which provides near letter-quality instead of grainy dot-matrix printing.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Word v1.15 for DOS.

The number of hosts on the Internet reaches 1000.

Hewlett-Packard introduces the LaserJet laser printer, featuring 300dpi resolution, for $3,600.

George Lefler demonstrates a PC Mouse with PC Paint.

Ed Morrison demonstrates the Advanced Version of Visicalc.

George Lefler resigns from presidency due to a move to Napa. The ooga horn of office is passed to Barney McCauley.

The newsletter is renamed Sacra Blue. It features reports on IBM's TopView and the demise of Softalk.

Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 4.0 for $500.

Jim Manzi is named president and chief operating officer of Lotus Development.

Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.1. It adds support for Microsoft networks.

Several companies introduce 2400-baud modems at COMDEX, priced at $800-900.

Sacra Blue featured an extensive listing of all the volumes in the software library, written by Tony Barcellos. WordPerfect 4.0 is now used for the newsletter

Sacra Blue features reports on the release of WordStar 2000 and an index of past issues.

A medical SIG is formed by Dr. Phillip Levy.

Compaq Computer reports second-year revenues of $329 million, an industry record.

Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect Jr. for $200. It is designed for use on the IBM PCjr.

Former Microsoft founder Paul Allen founds Asymetrix.

Ed Morrison is named advertising manager.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Word v2.0 for DOS.

IBM releases TopView, for $150.

Election results: President- Barney McCauley, VP- Tony Barcellos, Treasurer- Don Mongeau.

Auburn Chapter started by Rick Hellewell.

SPCUG has a booth at the San Francisco PC Faire.

Sacra Blue reaches 32 pages and includes a list of IBM diagnostic errors.

VisiCorp files for bankruptcy.

U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier 2400 modem.

Membership passes the 500 mark.

Dues: $18/year

Sacra Blue features a new cover design by David Flanagan and Bob Mix's comments on Xenix.

IBM abandons production of the IBM PCjr.

Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Deskpro 286 and Portable 286.

First use of a rented Sony projection system for meetings.

Tony Barcellos named associate editor because Bill Juhl was going to be out of town on business.

Sacra Blue features reports on user group finances and hard disks.

Microsoft demonstrates Microsoft Windows 1.0 at Spring Comdex. Release date is set for June, at a price of $95.

Quantum Computer Services registers for incorporation in Delaware.

Ken DeCrescenzo debuts a PCjr column.

Jim Rader starts a new investment SIG.

Bill Juhl publishes his last (18^th) issue of the newsletter.

Micrografx releases its first Microsoft Windows application, In-A-Vision. Note that Windows 1.0 will not ship until November.

Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 1.0.

Tony Barcellos takes over as Sacra Blue editor. Sacra Blue is now printed on a LaserJet printer.

A new "Hotline:" column by Milt Hull and Doug Draper debuts.

Microsoft purchases all rights to DOS from Seattle Computer Products for $925,000.

Microsoft and IBM sign a joint-development agreement to work together on future operating systems and environments.

Kim and Kevin Thompson start information table for new members.

Butte County Chapter started by Mike Wacker.

"Dear Ansi" column makes its first appearance.

Cladio Zanelli's "The Hardware Bit" explains memory beyond 640K.

The one millionth copy of Microsoft Multiplan is sold.

Steve Jobs and five senior managers of Apple Computer Inc. found NeXT Incorporated.

Gateway 2000 is formed, in Sioux City, Iowa, USA.

Software Arts sells the rights to VisiCalc to Mitch Kapor of Lotus Development for $800,000.

Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.0.

Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 4.1 for $500.

Sacra Blue features reports on WordPerfect 4.1 and a beginner's column on communications.

Sacra Blue reaches 40 pages.

Intel announces the 16-MHz 80386 microprocessor. It uses 32-bit registers and a 32-bit data bus, and incorporates 275,000 transistors. It can access four gigabytes of memory.

IBM announces its token ring network.

General Electric Information Services begins the GEnie online service.

Hayes Microcomputer Products is issued a patent for the "Improved Escape Sequence with Guard Time," a technique to put a modem into command mode.

Art Rankin discusses the development of California Computer News.

Ed Porrazzo, president of ADI, presents Aladin software.

Microsoft finally ships Microsoft Windows 1.0 for $100 (two years after the initial announcement).

Apple Computer and Microsoft sign an agreement regarding Microsoft's use of Apple's copyrights on the visual display of the Macintosh.

Lotus Development releases Lotus 1-2-3 v2.0.

Quantum's first online service, "Q-Link," launched for Commodore Business Machines C64 computers.

Stockton Chapter formed.

John Dvorak quotes Sacra Blue in a PC Magazine article.

Gene Weisskopf named Lotus editor.

Ashton-Tate delivers dBase III Plus.

Sacra Blue reports the death of Hugh Scutton of RenTech in December by a bomb that eventually was attributed to the unabomber.

Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.25.

Compaq Computer reports third-year revenues of $503.9 million, a U.S. business record.

Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.2. It adds support for 3.5-inch 720-KB floppy disk drives.

Floodwaters don't prevent members from attending.

Sacra Blue features an article from Milt Hull about connecting your computer to a TV set.

Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Portable II.

Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 1.1, then later DESQview 1.2.

Microsoft moves from Bellevue to Redmond, Washington.

"It will change forever the way personal computers are designed and used," claimed Alsop. "This change certainly won't happen this year. It may not even happen next year. It will probably happen over several years, until we get to the point in 1990 or so that everyone sits up and says 'Hey! Now personal computers are really useful.'"

Election results: President- Barney McCauley, Exec VP- Tony Barcellos, VP- Doug Draper, Treasurer- Tom Dovi.

Sacra Blue reports on a chapter amendment, shrinking portables, and technical word processing.

The First International Conference on CD-ROM is held in Seattle, Washington, hosted by Microsoft.

IBM begins shipping the IBM RT PC.

Microsoft sells shares to the public for the first time, for $21 per share. The initial public offering raises $61 million. Bill Gates quickly becomes the world's youngest billionaire.

IBM announces the IBM PC Convertible, 80C88-based, with 256K RAM, and two 720K floppy disks, for $2000.

IBM discontinues the IBM Portable PC.

Satellite Software International ships Student WordPerfect for $75.

IBM boosts the speed of the IBM PC AT by replacing the CPU with an 8-MHz Intel 80286.

Jim Manzi is named chief executive officer of Lotus Development Corp.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Word v3.0 for DOS.

Compaq Computer joins the Fortune 500 list faster than any company in history.

Compaq Computer ships its 500,000th personal computer.

Satellite Software International changes its name to WordPerfect Corporation.

David Marciel debuts his "Capitol Report" column in Sacra Blue, which reaches 52 pages.

IBM ships TopView 1.1.

Woodland Chapter started by Bill Dahler.

Rick Hellewell is named associate editor.

Membership passes the 1000 mark.

Microsoft purchases Dynamical Systems, Inc., makers of a TopView clone called Mondrian.

The SPCUG now meets at the Holiday Inn Holidome.

Sacra Blue includes a reprint of the original issue of the newsletter as a centerfold.

Jim Manzi is appointed chairman of Lotus Development.

Fred Boyd starts the AutoCAD SIG.

Larry Resnick revives the C SIG.

The Beginners SIG begins meeting twice a month.

Intel ships the 80386.

Patent attorney Mark Jacobs announces that Sacra Blue is now a federally registered trademark of the Sacramento PC Users Group.

Michael Young's "Interrupt 21" series debuts.

Sacra Blue also features a critical review of WordPerfect and an article by Andy Rooney.

Joe Hustein forms the Lawyers Special Interest Group.

SPCUG has a booth at the West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco.

Compaq Computer introduces the first 16-MHz Intel 80386-based PC, the Compaq Deskpro 386.

Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 1.3.

Sacra Blue features a defense of WordPerfect by Bill Juhl.

WordPerfect ships WordPerfect 4.2 for $500.

Ashton-Tate ships the one-millionth copy of dBase.

SPCUG obtains non-profit status from the federal government.

SPCUG passes the San Francisco PC Users Group in size. Tony Barcellos points out that the SF group was experiencing membership slippage and that we needed to work to prevent it happening to us.

Stockton Chapter becomes independent Valley PC Users Group.

Woody Splawn forms the Framework SIG.

Sacra Blue features a discussion of the rapid growth of the user group by Tony Barcellos.

Bill Ellis starts a dBase column

Nancy Ann Twomey of Computer Associates shows SuperCalc4 and SuperProject.

New group bylaws and incorporation are adopted.

Milt Hull is appointed as secretary, since the new bylaws require that officer.

Sacra Blue features a review of SuperCalc by Gene Weisskopf and the Articles of Incorporation.

SPCUG meeting attendance hits 375 (new record).

Aldus PageMaker is released for the PC.

Over $3000 in prizes given away. The big prize for the event is an Oasys laser printer.

Over fifty new members sign up at the meeting.

SPCUG meeting attendance is over 800.

Lotus Development files a lawsuit against Paperback Software (maker of VP-Planner) and Mosaic Software (maker of The Twin), claiming infringement of copyrights over the look and feel of 1-2-3.

Sacra Blue features a desktop publishing primer by Frank Bolton.

Bob Benson performs a striptease to show off the new Sacramento PC polo shirts (available in assorted colors).

Guy Pribyl of WordPerfect returns to hand out M&Ms and warm up the crowd for his boss. Alan Ashton, president and co-founder of WordPerfect, makes his first appearance at our meetings, showing WordPerfect 4.2, MathPlan 3.0, and talking briefly about the upcoming DataPerfect.

Election results: President- Rick Hellewell, Exec VP- Tony Barcellos, VP- Milt Hull, Treasurer- Tom Dovi, Secretary- Kim Thompson.

SPCUG has a booth at the 12^th West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco.

Sacra Blue features Carol Rader's report on "computer widowhood" and a review of the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II printer by Kevin & Kim Thompson.

U.S. Robotics unveils its 9600-bps Courier HST modem, for $995. BBS sysops can purchase the modem for $495.

Sacra Blue features a Deep Blue report on "Trojan Tyvek." Joe Hustein writes about computer contracts.

IBM introduces the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2) line, with IBM's first 386 PC, and 3.5-inch floppy drives as standard. The PS/2 Model 30 uses an 8-MHz 8086, the Model 50 and 60 use the 10-MHz 80286, and the Model 80 uses a 20-MHz 80386.

IBM unveils its Video Graphics Array (VGA) in its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line. VGA offers 256 simultaneous colors at a resolution of 320x200, and 16 colors at 640x480. The colors displayed have six bits of depth for each primary color, giving a palette of 262,144 different colors to select from.

IBM unveils its Multicolor Graphics Array (MCGA) on its PS/2 Model 30. The MCGA is limited to 64K of memory, limiting 640x480 resolution to just 2 colors, but still allowing 320x200 in 256 colors.

IBM introduces its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) on its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line.

IBM and Microsoft announce Operating System/2 (OS/2).

IBM announces the 8514/A Display Adapter, a high-resolution graphics card for the MCA PS/2 line. The 8514/A adds 1024x768 in 16 colors to the standard VGA, at a cost of $1290. With the addition of a $270 Memory Expansion Kit, 640x480 and 1024x768 resolutions can be had in 256 colors.

IBM announces the 8514 16-inch monitor, for $1550.

IBM announces DOS 3.3 for PCs, for $120. It adds support for 1.44 MB floppy disks, and multiple 32 MB hard drive partitions.

Microsoft announces Microsoft Windows 2.0.

IBM ships TopView 1.12.

Guy Pribyl of WordPerfect comes by to tell us that he is no longer our representative since he had been promoted to VP and was moving to Utah.

Bill Machrone gives us a talk about the computer industry and desktop publishing. He predicts full-color word processing and color xerography in the future.

Special Meeting Location: Community Center Theater because the meeting is held during the Government Technology Conference. Attendance is down because security guards would not admit people unless they came in directly from the show; latecomers were turned away.

Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 2.0.

Ashton-Tate sends Mike Arrigo, Chuck Patterson, and Ross Latimer from different cities to ensure that someone makes it to the meeting, to wipe out the memory of the November failure to make it to the meeting. They demonstrate RapidFile, a dBase-compatible database program.

Sacra Blue features Tony Barcellos's comparison of Word and WordPerfect and a report of his adventures with parity errors.

IBM withdraws TopView from the market.

Microsoft sells its 500,000th mouse.

Doug and Dale Cabell discuss networks.

Sacra Blue features reviews of Automenu and QDOS II.

IBM ships the first 8514/A adapters, PS/2 systems, and VGA cards.

Microsoft acquires Forethought, maker of the PowerPoint presentation graphics program for the Macintosh.

IBM ships the first PS/2 Model 80 systems.

Greg Joy of Borland shows off SideKick and the Sprint word processor. (This meeting was the second public showing of the product; Boston's PC group saw it first).

IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 25, with an 8-MHz Intel 8086, combined system unit with monitor, no hard drive, and reduced-size keyboard, starting at $1350.

Microsoft ships MS-DOS 3.3.

The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) is formed.

Sacra Blue goes on sale at Tower Books.

Microsoft ships Microsoft Bookshelf, its first CD-ROM application.

Microrim president Wayne Erickson presents R:base.

John Dvorak raves about Sacra Blue in PC Magazine.

Sacra Blue features a new table of contents format.

SPCUG meeting attendance hits between 1100 - 1300.

Microsoft unveils the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for Windows, ships Works for DOS, releases Microsoft Windows/386 (priced at $195), and later ships Windows 2.0.

Compaq Computer introduces the 20-MHz Compaq Deskpro 386/20 and Portable 386.

Ven-Tel unveils its EC18K-34 modem, which it claims can operate at up to 18,000 bps, with data compression achieving a throughput of 19,200 bps on normal voice phone lines. The cost of the modem is $1400.

Ad Lib Incorporated unveils its Ad Lib Personal Computer Music System for $245. The card provides FM synthesis with 11 simultaneous voices.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 4.0 for the PC.

Bill Gates of Microsoft makes his first appearance before SPCUG. Bill talked about his past and how Windows 2.0 would serve as a bridge between DOS and OS/2.

Sacra Blue features a transcript of Bill Gates' New York PC UG presentation and a report of the Microsoft users group seminar. Issue reached 76 pages.

Compaq Computer makes its 1 millionth personal computer.

IBM reports that it has shipped 1 million PS/2 systems.

U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier HST 9600 modem.

Carri O'Loughlin of Broderbund shows an assortment of computer games.

Sacra Blue features part one of the transcripts of Bill Gates' Sacramento appearance. Gene Weisskopf ruminates about Lotus 1-2-3 version 3.

SPCUG membership passes the 2000 mark.

Microsoft ships the one-millionth copy of Windows.

Microsoft releases OS/2 1.0.

IBM ships first copies of OS/2 Standard Edition 1.0.

Compaq's Jerry Farmer introduces the Compaq Deskpro 386/20, the first 20-MHz 386 computer.

Sacra Blue features part two of the transcript of Bill Gates' Sacramento appearance.

Sacra Blue is printed on a web press and gets a glossy cover.

Sacra Blue, Tony Barcellos, and Milt Hull are profiled in PC World.

Spectrum Holobyte introduces Tetris, the first entertainment software imported from the Soviet Union.

Symantec president Gordon Eubanks presents Q&A 3.0 and Grandview.

Compaq Computer reports sales for the year reach $1.2 billion, setting the record as the fastest company to reach that mark.

Election results: President- Rick Hellewell, Exec VP- Tony Barcellos, VP- Milt Hull, Treasurer- Tom Dovi, Secretary- Ginny Lindstrand.

Chapters begin getting a portion of the dues for members who join a chapter.

Sacra Blue features a Gene Weisskopf review of Microsoft Excel and information on Intel Inboards.

SPCUG meeting attendance still around 1000.

Apple Computer sues Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard for copyright infringement regarding Microsoft's Windows 2.03, Hewlett-Packard's NewWave, and the Macintosh OS.

The Open Software Foundation is founded.

Randy Blosil warms up the crowd and tells them of the new cheer "WordPerfect. . . Unnh!" started at the West Coast Computer Faire. Alan Ashton, CEO of WordPerfect, making his second appearance at our meetings, shows us WordPerfect 5.0. Everyone was fueled with the traditional M&Ms.

SPCUG has a booth at the West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco.

Dues increase from $18 to $25.

Sacra Blue features Gene Weisskopf's review of WordPerfect PlanPerfect and Kevin & Kim Thompson's glossary of desktop publishing terms.

A special guest at the meeting is Jerry Schneider of the Capitol PC Users Group in Washington, D.C. He also acts as a PC group ambassador for PC Week. He gives a quick demo of a pre-release version of DOS 3.4.

Software Publishing's Bernie Borges takes Harvard Graphics through its paces.

Lotus Development Corporation's Steven Webster shows Lotus GraphWriter.

Lotus systems engineer Cie Fielsh announces that Lotus copy protection is dead.

Ashton-Tate's Janet Westlund and Andy Hatcoff present Draw Applause.

Lotus Development ships the four millionth copy of Lotus 1-2-3.

Apple Computer contracts with Quantum Computer Services to create the AppleLink, Personal Edition (later renamed America Online).

IBM's W. David Schwaderer explains how modems work.

Susan Higbee of Prodigy Interactive Personal Service invites members to participate in a test of their new online services.

The meeting closes with a live log-on session with Ralph Scowden's Time Traveler bulletin board system.

IBM announces the PS/2 Model 70, as 16-, 20-, and 25-MHz 80386 systems.

Microsoft ships Windows 2.1 as Windows/286 and Windows/386.

Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.0, including a graphical/mouse interface.

Intel introduces the 80386SX, like the 80386 but with a 16-bit data bus.

Borland founder and chairman Philippe Kahn makes his first appearance in Sacramento. He provides an entertaining view of the industry and a demo of Sprint (word processor).

Microsoft Word SIG is established.

WordPerfect 5.0 is now used for Sacra Blue production.

Sacra Blue features first reactions to WordPerfect 5.0.

Lotus Development ships Agenda.

IBM ships OS/2 Extended Edition 1.0.

IBM ships DOS 4.0. It adds a shell menu interface and support for hard disk partitions over 32 MB.

Michael Richmond, general manager of Amdek, a division of Wyse briefly outlines his company's 11-year history and its involvement in the production of displays, personal computers, and CD/ROM players.

Dave Cannon, vice president of product development for MicroPro demonstrates MicroPro WordStar 5.0.

Tony Barcellos muses about the new version of Microsoft Word and rumors of a Microsoft database program in Sacra Blue.

Sacra Blue also features Rick Hellewell's BBS session guide for beginners.

The SPCUG now meets at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

IBM introduces the IBM PS/2 Model 30 286, using the AT-bus. It features a 10-MHz 286, 512 KB RAM, VGA, and 20 MB hard drive.

61 companies support the formation of the Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA). Companies include Compaq Computer, AST, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, NEC Technologies, Olivetti, Tandy, Wyse, Zenith, and Microsoft.

SPEC is formed, with the aim of producing a benchmark based on a standard set of real-life applications programs.

Tandy ships the first MCA-bus-based clone PC, the Tandy 5000 MC.

Compaq Computer introduces its first laptop PC with VGA graphics, the Compaq SLT/286. It has a 12-MHz 286, 640 KB RAM, 20-40 MB hard drive, 3.5-inch disk drive, and built-in 10-inch grayscale LCD VGA screen. Price is up to $5800.

Quantum's "PC-Link" launched through joint venture with Tandy Corporation

Don L. Powells, technical information specialist for Nantucket Corporation, presents Clipper, the database compiler.

Ed Esber, president and CEO of Ashton-Tate shows off dBase IV.

Sacra Blue features several reports on the Microsoft Word SIG Summit '88. Tony Barcellos reports on the release of Gene Weisskopf's first book (on 1-2-3). The world famous Dr. Ecnecis discusses GigoWare.

Apple Computer and Quantum Computer Services launch the AppleLink Personal Edition computer network.

Microsoft and IBM ship OS/2 1.1 Standard Edition with Presentation Manager.

Microsoft releases OS/2 LAN Manager for networked PCs.

Steve Jobs of NeXT Inc. unveils the first NeXT computer, at the Davis Symphony Hall in San Francisco. For $6500, it features: 25-MHz Motorola 68030 processor and 68882 math coprocessor, 8 MB RAM, 17-inch monochrome monitor, 256 MB read/write magneto-optical drive, and true object-oriented NextStep operating system.

Jenne Heston, a Lotus Development Corporation product marketing manager, demonstrates Lotus Agenda, an organizer.

Dr. Tom Byers and Victoria Case of Symantec presents Grandview.

The first issue of Sacra Blue to use Bitstream Fontware for production.

Special Meeting Location: Holiday Inn Holidome.

Allen Chon and Lori Pope of NEC unveil three new laptop computers, including one weighing only 4.4 pounds, a new 286 system, and a high-end 386 computer.

Thomas Rhoton and Dave Butler of WordPerfect brought the customary M&Ms and showed DataPerfect.

Sacra Blue features Tony Barcellos' adventures with converting to Bitstream Fontware.

The interview series debuts with an interview of Milt Hull.

SPCUG membership passes the 2500 mark.

Special Meeting Location: Holiday Inn Holidome.

Ashton-Tate sues Fox Software and Santa Cruz Operations for infringing copyrights on the Dbase language.

Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.01.

U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier Dual Standard modem, supporting both v.32 and HST protocols, and the Courier v.32 modem. Prices are $1600 and $1500, respectively.

Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP DeskJet inkjet printer. Price: $1000.

Sandy Scherling from Prodigy tells of more special offers for those members testing the service.

Roy A. Nierenberg of Experience in Software, Inc. makes a brief announcement of The Idea Generator.

Jim Kinlan of Funk Software demonstrates Allways, the Lotus 1-2-3 add-in that improves the printing capabilities of the Lotus spreadsheet.

Mark Darfler of Compaq demonstrates the world's ultimate laptop PC—the Compaq SLT/286.

Calera Recognition Systems sends Jim Fruchterman, Bill Schwegler, and Raymond Bloom to demonstrate TrueScan OCR system.

D. Kraig Lane of Peter Norton conducts a hugely successful and hilarious tour of Peter Norton's latest products.

Sacra Blue cover color changes from white to blue.

Interview series continues with Larry Reznick.

Microsoft releases Quick Pascal, designed to compete with Borland International's Turbo Pascal.

Mike Rogers, president of Presentation Electronics of Sacramento, invites people to stop in the lobby to see Silent Partner, a remote keyboard for PCs.

Richard Rabins, president of Alpha Software demonstrates his company's integrated package, AlphaWorks.

The main event features four editors from PC Week. The editors were Sam Whitmore, David Strom, Karyl Scott, and Paul Schindler. A fifth editor, Elli Holman, worked on the sideline handing out Spenser Katt nightshirts. Their goal was to learn from our members, so they opened the floor to questions.

Sacra Blue features Milt Hull's first look at dBASE IV.

Interview series continues with Gene Weisskopf.

At the main meeting, Software Publishing's Chris Hill provides an impromptu presentation on his company's products to fill in the hole left by a last minute cancellation by Zenith.

Dave Butler of WordPerfect steps up to explain his company's new subscription plan.

Borland's Richard Schwartz gives a side-by-side comparison of Paradox and Ashton-Tate's dBASE IV, using two projectors.

Richard Katz shows us Intuit Quicken for the first time.

Software Publishing CEO Fred Gibbons discusses the future of OS/2.

Software presentations from Software Publishing Corp., WordPerfect, and Borland.

Election features a close race between Rick Hellewell and Gene Weisskopf.

Election results: President- Rick Hellewell, Exec VP- Tony Barcellos, VP- Milt Hull, Treasurer- Tom Dovi, Secretary- Kim Thompson.

A judge rules that Microsoft Windows 2.03 is not covered in the Apple Computer / Microsoft 1985 agreement. This allows the issue to proceed to trial, in the lawsuit filed in March 1988 by Apple Computer against Microsoft.

Chris Hill and Bernie Borges of Software Publishing Corporation take the stage to pitch OfficeWriter, a Wang-like word processor.

Jeff Mallett of Reference Software and Scott Sedlik demonstrate Grammatik III, a grammar-checker.

Vice President Peter J. Ryan of Xtree Company takes a few minutes to describe the popular XTree file management program.

Ronald Lee of Novell talks about Novell's leading local-area network system.

SPCUG has a booth at the West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco.

SPCUG donates some memberships to the KVIE Channel 6 auction.

Sacra Blue features Maxine Wagner's tale of upgrading Cinderella.

The results of a membership survey show that 95.6% of the members had a computer in their home. Tthe remaining 4.4% only use a computer at work.

The VESA video standard emerges, providing a uniform method of accessing SuperVGA chipsets.

Microsoft ships SQL Server.

Intel introduces the 80486 microprocessor. It integrates the 80386, 80387 math coprocessor, and adds a primary cache. It uses 1.2 million transistors.

Intel introduces the 33-MHz version of the 80386 microprocessor and 80387 numeric co-processor.

Harris Semiconductor introduces a 25-MHz version of the 80286.

MicroPro International changes its name to WordStar International.

Bill Gross of Lotus Development Corporation provides an engaging demonstration of his latest brainchild, the Magellan utility program.

Debby Bonner takes a few minutes to announce that MicroPro is no more. The new company name is WordStar International.

Greg Lang of Intel announces the release of the 80486 processor and presents the Intel Communications CoProcessor board.

Sacra Blue features Margo Schulter's first article on desktop publishing with WordPerfect 5.0.

Hewlett-Packard buys workstation maker Apollo Computer for $476 million.

Jennifer Delamere of ASP has a sideshow of Simplan, a printer-sharing device.

Greg Reznick of Video Seven (now part of Headland Technologies) explains video technology.

Tony Mazzagatti of Autodesk talks about release 10 of AutoCAD.

Sacra Blue features a report on the debilitating effects of computeritis.

IBM introduces the Office Vision system.

Lotus Development releases Lotus 1-2-3, v. 3 for the PC, two years after its initial announcement.

Bob offers a companion hard disk product, complete with removable media. This appears to be still under development, since the removable platter is square and doesn't spin very well inside the cartridge. Furthermore, it presently lacks a center hole for a drive mechanism to engage. Nevertheless, the Benson hard disk shares some of gigglebyte's remarkable properties, including the ability to absorb severe punishments without exhibiting any diminution of its functions (such as they are). Bob completed his presentation with a solicitation to investors, which received as great a laugh as anything that preceded it. He stepped down to warm applause.

Richard Katz returns to give another frenetic demonstration of Intuit's Quicken. Not wanting to be outdone by a certain other software company, he hands out Tootsie Pops in his warmup.

Bruce McGeoch and Ronald von Trapp of Plus Development address the topic of Expanding Requirements in Mass Storage. The talk included presentation of their hard cards (hard drives built onto a plug-in card), removable hard drives, and PC LAN hard disk systems.

Fred Gibbons, president and CEO of Software Publishing Corporation, assisted by Bernie Borges and Lisa Christopher, gives a talk on standards.

Sacra Blue features Margo Schulter's column, "The Cottage Publisher".

Interview series continues with photographer Mathew Di Nicola.

Special Meeting Location: Holiday Inn Holidome.

AT&T and Intel sign an agreement to produce 386-based PCs.

Zenith Data Systems introduce the Zenith MinisPort, a six-pound laptop computer.

WordPerfect Corporation's Dave Butler stops by to bring greetings from his boss (Alan Ashton) and give away some product.

Jeff Cherniss of Advanced Software give a brief presentation of DocuComp, a program that finds the differences between two documents.

Kevin Mankin of Zenith shows the Zenith MinisPort, a laptop computer weighing less than six pounds and featuring a unique 720-KB, 2-inch floppy drive.

Microsoft Reps Amy Welsh and Mary Schwank provides a quick demo of Word 5.0 while waiting for Bill Gates to arrive from the airport.

Gates makes his second appearance before our group. His presentation consists primarily of answering questions that were submitted in advance. This was followed by a live Q&A session. It is ten o'clock before he finishes his remarks and dashes off to catch a plane.

Lunar eclipse occurs on the same evening.

Sacra Blue features an article by Tim Feldman offering a computer checkup with Claptrap.

Tony Barcellos muses about numbers associated with SPCUG membership in his column. The best curve he found (a fifth-degree polynomial fit) predicts the membership taking a sharp dive later in the year and zeroing out in November 1990. [In reality, our peak did not occur until March 1994.]

Deep Blue interviews editor Tony Barcellos.

SPCUG's meeting attendance hits 1300.

Britain's Apricot Computers produces the first PC based on the 25-MHz Intel 80486 chip.

Chuck Sullivan of Lotus shows off versions 2.2 and 3.0 of Lotus 1-2-3.

Tony Barcellos publishes his 50^th issue.

IBM releases OS/2 1.2.

NeXT ships the first NeXT Computer systems.

NeXT releases NextStep v1.0.

Chris Hill of Ashton-Tate makes his first appearance before the group to announce a future release of MultiMate and give away some prizes.

Ray Noberti of Touchstone Software gives a brief presentation of CheckIt, a clever diagnostic tool for discovering what's going on inside your computer.

Alan Ashton, CEO of WordPerfect, makes his third appearance at our meeting, showing WordPerfect 5.1 for the first time in front of any group. WordPerfect regular Dave Butler is there to hand out the traditional M&Ms. He is assisted by Bryan Johnson, Maika-Liisa Nyborg Adams, and Blain Killpack in handing out the M&Ms, WordPerfect caps, and WordPerfect mugs while Ashton makes his presentation.

Dr Ashton closes his remarks by quoting Adam Osborne, who once said, "Anyone who thinks they're going to knock off WordPerfect has got to be smoking controlled substances." Ashton laughed along with everyone else, but adds a cautionary note. "If we really start believing that ourselves, then we're in trouble," he said. Ashton is determined that his company not become complacent about its current high profile in the industry. He recalls a once-invincible program called WordStar.

In Sacra Blue, Tony Barcellos announces his resignation as software librarian.

Sacra Blue features a 26-page listing of Tim Feldman's Pascal program, Claptrap.

Special Meeting Location: Holiday Inn Holidome.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel for OS/2's Presentation Manager. It is the first major application available for PM.

Compaq Computer introduces its first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE.

SPEC releases version 1.0 of its SPEC Benchmark Suite.

IBM signs a deal with NeXT to license the NextStep operating system.

AOL service launched for Macintosh and Apple II.

Monty Shelton of Future Trends Software demonstrates EZ-Cosmos, a charting program that generates star maps for any location on earth over an enormous span of time.

Ken Rader and Dave Spalding of UniVAR are on hand to demonstrate the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIP.

Egghead Software representatives Wesley Williams, Robert Winters, and Lee Dohm come by to give away a lot of software.

Richard Miller and Michael Fried from NeXT, Inc., show how the NeXT computer gave Unix a human face and wrapped it around a high-power Motorola 68030 microprocessor. [No, they did not give away one of their $10,000 computers.]

In Sacra Blue, Tony Barcellos announces that he is curtailing his writing duties and calls for volunteers.

Special Meeting Location: Holiday Inn Holidome.

IBM strongly endorses Windows for low-end PCs, and Microsoft publicly endorses OS/2 as the future platform for higher-end PCs. IBM and Microsoft agree to jointly develop a consistent, full range of systems software.

Compaq Computer introduces its first server PC, the Compaq Systempro. This is also the first EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) PC, introduced to provide competition for IBM's proprietary PS/2 systems.

Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP DeskJet Plus inkjet printer.

Creative Labs introduces the Sound Blaster, an 8-bit mono PC sound card that would become the standard for all sound cards.

NEC Technologies introduces the 4.2-pound NEC UltraLite laptop PC.

Mission Cyrus introduces the Darius ProPortable, the first PS/2-compatible portable microcomputer.

"We don't see Windows as a long-term graphical interface for the masses." -A Lotus Development official, while demonstrating a new DOS version of Lotus 1-2-3.

Carlton Holte of WordScience is given a few minutes to talk about Definitions Plus.

William F.X. Grubb, president and CEO of The Complete PC, presents his company's communications products.

Jack Oswald, product manager for Borland, presents Quattro Pro, Borland's powerful spreadsheet program.

Wayne Ash, Dennis Balagtas, Paul Haag, and Tom Trafzer volunteer to take turns as lead reporter for future meeting articles to give Tony a break.

Terry Chard takes over as software librarian. Matt Di Nicola will become the assistant. The library team also includes Roy Korb and Dave Simpson.

Valley PC Users Group returns to the pages of Sacra Blue.

Xerox files a lawsuit challenging the validity of Apple Computer's copyrights covering the Lisa and Macintosh computers' graphical user interface.

Corel's Fiona Rochester demonstrate the Windows-based CorelDRAW.

Jeffrey Armstrong takes on his guise of St. $ilicon to preach his high-tech sermonette. He preaches the word of the Church of Heuristic Programming (C.H.I.P.) to the great glory of the Giver of Data (G.O.D.).

Demonstrating a remarkable clock speed, Saint $ilicon intones the Keyboard Prayer, recounts the story of Oddam and Even from The Binary Bible (in the Beta Testament), and recites parables (as well as hyperboles). His noteworthy Golden Rule is "Do unto Data that which you are able to undo." Words to live by, clearly.

After a discourse on how things really began (from the book of the Sysgen in the Beta Testament), Saint $ilicon recites the Ten Commands:

1. I am Logic, thy G.O.D. Thou Shalt have no other thoughts beside it.
2. Thou shalt not execute any illegal operation.
3. Thou shalt not make the purpose of logic, thy G.O.D., in vain.
4. Remember the Staff Meeting and keep it holy.
5. Honor thy hardware and software.
6. Thou shalt not crash the system.
7. Thou shalt not commit I/O errors.
8. Thou shalt not pirate programs.
9. Thou shalt not violate the integrity of thy neighbor's database.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's system.

• Start
• Move hand down
• Move hand right
• Move hand up
• Move hand left

Sacra Blue cover changes from blue to sunshine yellow. Issue features Gene Weisskopf's review of Lotus 1-2-3 3.0.

Hayes Microcomputer Products wins a $1.4 million lawsuit against Everex, Ven-Tel, and Omnitel regarding the validity of Hayes' patent on the +++ escape sequence.

Presentation graphics fair features Software Publishing Corporation's Harvard Graphics, Ashton-Tate's Applause II, and WordPerfect's DrawPerfect.

Lisa Christopher of Software Publishing Corporation leads off with a demo of Harvard Graphics.

Chris Hill of Ashton-Tate follows with a demo of Applause II.

Dave Butler of WordPerfect Corporation wraps up the evening with a demo of DrawPerfect.

Angela Sweet of Softview presents MacInTax for Windows. Continuing the growing trend of demonstrating to an audience on a sugar high, Angela has Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to pass out.

Monica Harrington and Michele Girard of Microsoft demonstrate Word for Windows.

Election features a close race between Milt Hull and Gene Weisskopf.

Election results: President- Milt Hull, Exec VP- Tony Barcellos, VP- Ginny Dovi, Treasurer- Tom Dovi, Secretary- Karl Dresher.

Rick Hellewell starts a SuperCalc5 SIG.

Lisa Shwartz and Diane Edmondson of ASP Computer Products gives a brief explanation of the ASP line of printer sharing devices.

Shannon Jones and Laurie Ward of GRiD Systems show off their intriguing GRiDPAD, a laptop-sized device with a touchscreen and no keyboard.

WordStar International sends a large crew to show us WordSatr 6.0. On hand for the demo were Debbie Bonner, Susan Graves, Amy Masters, Charles Stevenson, and Chris Banks.

Bill Gross of Lotus Development takes the stage early so he could catch a plane. He gives a presentation of Magellan 2.0 and tells the upgrade path for version 1.0 users (which 500 members were).

Carl Flygare of Apple Computer discusses PC-Macintosh connectivity.

Gary Saxer explodes onto the stage in turbo mode and doesn't slow down for a solid 45 minutes. The QuarterDeck representative showed Manifest, a memory management utility, QRAM, and DESQview.

Special Meeting Location: Community Center Theater, in conjunction with the GTC show at the convention center.

Xerox's lawsuit against Apple Computer regarding use of Xerox's graphical user interface is thrown out of court.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows 3.0 on May 22, 1990. MS spends $3 million for opening-day marketing, as part of a $10-million promotional campaign.

Digital Research releases DR DOS 5.0.

The PCMCIA (The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card specification v1.0 is released.

Monty Shelton from Future Trends gives a quick promotion for EZ-Cosmos and gives out copies.

Akin Orhum of the Sacramento-based Teletek Company shows their line of memory expansion cards.

Tim Pettibone of Central Point Software demonstrates PC Tools Deluxe 6.0.

John Friend, author of the shareware program PC-Outline and the Symantec program GrandView, regales us with the story of his adventures in creating and marketing shareware software. He tops the talk with a quick demo of GrandView.

A US District Court judge rules that Paperback Software's duplicating the menu interface of Lotus 1-2-3 was a violation of copyright (the "look and feel" lawsuit was filed in 1987).

Jon Shirley resigns as President of Microsoft. He is replaced by former Boeing executive Michael Hallman.

Quantum's "Promenade" service launched for IBM PS/1

Chris Hill of Ashton-Tate demonstrates Control Room, a utility program.

Jon Scott of Travelling Software talks about laptops and the future. He also gives away a demo of LapLink PC III.

Mark Troy of Hewlett-Packard shows us NewWave.

Ken Hopkins has his first article published in Sacra Blue. The article recommends buying a system rather than upgrading an XT or AT system.

Microsoft's sales revenues hit $1 billion for the past year, the first personal computer software company to do so.

Lotus Development files lawsuits against Borland International (maker of Quattro) and Santa Cruz Operations (maker of SCO Professional) claiming copyright infringement of the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software.

Acer Incorporated buys Altos Computer Systems for $94 million.

Robin Smith, now of Millennial Technologies, comes to give out software and talk briefly about her new company.

Steve Friedman announces the formation of the Windows SIG.

Jonathan Hathaway of Unibind Systems presents the Unibind System.

Lane Gray, marketing director for Samsung Information Systems of America talks about the Samsung line of computers and monitors.

Miriam Liskin discusses the xBASE family.

Tony Barcellos completes his fifth year as editor of Sacra Blue.

Gilbert Hyatt is granted a basic patent on the microprocessor, 20 years after his first application for it.

Michael Dunham of Software Centre announces their networking seminar and give out some door prizes.

Brian Dalgetti of IBM gives us a look at the new PS/1 computer system.

Karl Clegg of WordPerfect comes to give away prizes and remind everyone of the upcoming visit by his boss, Alan Ashton.

Debra Augusta of NCR Corporation gives a quick tour of the NCR line of computer products.

Microrim's Bill Wood and Dennis Comfort present R:Base 3.1.

Kirk Selby and Eric Mann of Lotus Development Corporation show off Lotus 1-2-3, release 3.1. Eric puts on a high-energy demonstration that gets a great reception.

Microsoft's Amy Welsh demonstrates Windows 3.0 to the Davis Chapter at their September meeting.

Tony Barcellos writes in his "$econd $tring" column that "I believe that the next editor of Sacra Blue is reading these words. Congratulations, whoever you are."

IBM and Microsoft end cooperative work on operating systems, dividing the work to date between them.

Carton Holte of WordScience treats us to another spiel on Definitions Plus.

Candance Wagner of The Chair Place talks about ergonomics.

Chris Hill of Ashton-Tate announces that dBASE IV version 1.1 had shipped and Ashton-Tate turned a profit last quarter. He follows with a prize giveaway.

Alan Ashton, CEO of WordPerfect, makes his forth appearance at our meetings showing WordPerfect Office and DrawPerfect. This time he does not have his normal entourage of assistance but still has M&Ms for everyone.

IBM introduces the XGA MCA graphics card as a replacement for VGA. Resolutions of 640x480 and 1024x768 are supported, with up to 65,536 colors in the 640x480 mode. At the same time, IBM joins the VESA group, making the XGA specification publicly available.

Advanced Micro Devices officially acknowledges that it is working on cloning Intel's 386 CPUs.

Chis Hill of Ashton-Tate reports a #1 rating given to dBASE 1.1 by Software Digest. Harry Lewis's ticket is drawn for a copy of dBASE. As Harry is the dBASE SIG leader, he passes on the prize.

Bruce Buzbee of FormalSoft presents ProQube 2.0, a 3-D spreadsheet.

Bill Dunne of Software Publishing Corporation demonstrates Professional Write 2.2 and Harvard Graphics 2.3.

Tony Barcellos publishes his millionth issue of Sacra Blue. (Decimal 64 = binary 1,000,000).

Gene Weiskopf reports that the Lotus SIG is going on hiatus until a new leader is found (if ever).

U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier v.32bis modem.

Hewlett-Packard's introduction of the LaserJet IIP breaks the $1000 street price barrier.

Ted Lawrence of Microrim introduces himself as the new Northern California representative for Microrim and gives away software.

Symantec president Gordon Eubanks returns to talk about utilities of the 90s.

Brad Kingsbury of Peter Norton Computing follows with a demonstration of Norton Utilities 5.0.

Fiona Rochester of Corel Systems returns to dazzle us with CorelDRAW 2.0.

George Duggins takes over the Lotus SIG, saving it from extinction.

Tony Barcellos publishes his 65^th (or one million one depending on your number base) and final issue.

Sacra Blue cover changes from yellow to red for this issue.

Ashton-Tate's lawsuit regarding the copyright on the dBase language is dismissed in court.

Advanced Micro Devices produces its first clone chips of Intel's 386, at speeds of 20, 25, and 33 MHz.

The evening's first drawing goes to ticket holder 3896486. When the winner coyly fails to respond, the audience shouted, "Pull another one!" Milt discreetly intoned, "No, no, no, this is the one . . ." Finally resorting to flushing Tony Barcellos out of his chair, Milt presents a plaque bearing the plate used to print Tony's 65^th and final issue of Sacra Blue. When the standing ovation died down, Tony expresses his thanks for the plaque with characteristic warmth and feeling. "I'll find a place to put it… I don't have a chopping board."

Microsoft's Amy Welsh introduces two local team members and gives away copies of Windows 3.0 and Excel 3.0.

Richard Landry, Editor-in-Chief of PC World, makes predictions for 1991.

Roger Melanson, president of Great American Software, demonstrates One-Write Plus. In an amazing coincidence, when he asks how many members owned Money Matters, nearly everyone in the audience raises a hand (many had a copy of the program in their hand at the time).

A judge rules that Mosaic Software infringed on Lotus Development's copyrights on Lotus 1-2-3.

Compaq Computer reports its first billion-dollar quarter.

Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel for Windows 3.0.

Robert Carr, vice president of Software Development for Go Corporation, introduces the new PenPoint Operating System.

Microsoft's Amy Welsh demonstrates Excel 3.0.

Larry Clark takes over as Sacra Blue editor.

Sacra Blue cover changes from red to grey. Issue features numerous tributes and images of Tony Barcellos throughout (including the cover). This is the second time a person has graced the cover of Sacra Blue, the first person being Bill Gates.

Ken Hopkins debuts his "Windows Watcher" column.

DOS version of AOL launched.

Election results: President- Milt Hull, Exec VP- Tony Barcellos, VP- Rick Hellewell, Treasurer- Tom Dovi, Secretary- Wayne Ash.

Sacra Blue features a military theme on front cover (reflecting the Persian Gulf War).

IBM spins off its entire printer and typewriter division to a New York investment firm, and the company Lexmark is born.

Advanced Micro Devices releases its 386DX/40 CPU.

Microsoft announces the Microsoft BallPoint Mouse, incorporating mouse and trackball technology in a pointing device for laptop computers.

Chris Hill of Ashton-Tate announces that Applause II version 1.5 is shipping and gives out door prizes.

Mike Savage of Symantec announces three new Windows products: On Target project planning, the Just Write executive word processor, and Norton Backup for Windows. He takes names of winners to send their door prizes by mail.

Adobe CEO John Warnock discusses PostScript. The Adobe presentation includes a demonstration of Multiple Master technology by John Peck and TypeAlign by Phil Smith.

Sacra Blue features several letters to the editor complaining about the March cover.

Sacra Blue also features an insert copy of SacraLege, a satiric version of Sacra Blue.

Intel debuts the i486SX chip, initially at 20 MHz, and the i487SX math coprocessor. The i486SX is like the 486, but without the math coprocessor.

The December 1990 dismissal of Ashton-Tate's lawsuit is reversed.

21 companies create the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) Initiative.

Paul Dodds of Borland Interenational announces that Quattro Pro sales has passed the million-copy threshold.

Tony Lee of Borland presents a flash demo of Quattro Pro 3.0.

John Mandell of Borland demonstrates ObjectVision.

Tom Johnson of Coda Music Systems brings a Roland D-50 keyboard, a Proteus 1 sound module, a PC sporting the Windows-based Filale program, and unfortunately, a non-functional MIDI interface card. The latter leaves him powerless to demonstrate some of the more mind-blowing features of the Finale music publishing package, but with software as capable and feature-packed as Finale is, he has no shortage of tricks to show us.

Special Meeting Location: Sacramento Community Center, in conjunction with the Government Technology Conference.

AT&T and NCR sign a merger agreement.

Microsoft announces Microsoft Visual BASIC for Windows.

Businessland posts a loss of $43 million, and files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Intel CEO Andrew Grove discusses the past, present, and future of microcomputers. The presentation is made without using a computer.

Dick Gough gives us a presentation on the SatisFAXtion board.

Live worldwide BBS teleconference occurs after the meeting, led by Globalnet SysOp Paul Curtis.

Microsoft DOS 5.0 is released. It adds a full-screen editor, undelete and unformat utilities, and task swapping. GW-BASIC was replaced with Qbasic, based on Microsoft's QuickBASIC.

Intel introduces its 50-MHz 486 chip.

Ad Lib announces the Ad Lib Gold series of PC sound cards.

Chris Hill is finally given more than a few minutes of microphone time to announce the pending acquisition of Ashton-Tate by Borland and to demonstrate Applause II version 1.5.

Borland International (maker of Paradox) buys database competitor Ashton-Tate (maker of dBase) for $440 million.

Microsoft changes the name of OS/2 v3.0 to Windows NT.

"[DOS will be] with us forever. We've learned how passionate people are about DOS." -Microsoft vice president Brad Silverberg

Michael McGovern from Heath/Zenith Computers announces a new laptop with an SL chip.

WordPerfect's Guy Pribyl returns to whip the crowd into a screaming frenzy before passing the baton to CEO Alan Ashton. Dr. Ashton demonstrates the new WordPerfect for Windows product. The traditional M&Ms get everyone enthused.

Robert Lendvai of Corel Systems explains the differences between optical disk technologies.

Gene Weisskopf publishes his last column before his move to South Carolina.

A letter to the editor proposes that we cease publishing Sacra Blue.

Symantec acquires Zortech Inc., maker of C++ compilers for DOS, Windows, OS/2, Macintosh, and UNIX.

The ban on business is lifted on the Internet.

Jim Anderson of Headland Technologies discusses the activities of the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) and the new Video 7 VESA display adapter.

Gordon Eubanks, CEO of Symantec, talks about Norton Desktop for Windows. The flow of the presentation is disrupted by hardware problems that are resolved during a Q&A session.

The overwhelming response to the idea of ceasing to publish Sacra Blue is that Sacra Blue is an important part of the SPCUG and should continue.

SPCUG meeting attendence is 700+.

Digital Research Inc. releases DR DOS 6.0, for $100.

The PCMCIA card specification v2.x is released.

Peter Danovich of Kissnet demonstrates their simple solution to peripheral sharing and file transfer.

Rick Hellewell demonstrates FormGen from the software library.

Robert Caviglia of Prodigy announces that the service now serves over a million members nationwide.

John Carson of GRiD Systems demonstrates the latestest GRiDpad pen-based system.

Bradley Husick of MacroMind, Inc. demonstrates MicroMind Action! For Windows.

Insite Technology begins shipping its 21-MB, 3.5-inch floppy disk drive to system vendors. The drive uses "floptical" disks, using optical technology to store data.

Quantum Computer Services changes name to America Online, Inc.

"We will be enhancing OS/2 until the late 1990s." -Lee Reiswig

Norman Baily, president Pcubid Computer Technology of Sacrament, discusses possible cooling problems with 486-based computers.

William Archer from Arden Computer reviews his rebate program.

Carl Klegg of WordPerfect Corporation announces that 365,000 copies of WordPerfect for Windows were shipped in the first nine days of distribution. He celebrates with a software giveaway.

Milt Hull gives a demo of the shareware program Graphics Workshop 6.1.

Eric Mann of Lotus Development Corporation presents 1-2-3 for Windows, a spreadsheet application, and Ami Pro 2.0, a word processing application for Windows.

Iomega's John Kinny ha computer problems but he recovers well and presents a shoot-from-the-hip rundown on the latest 90M Bernoulli products.

IBM and Intel sign a 10-year joint development agreement to create a series of integrated processors.

Microsoft announces the Multimedia Edition of Microsoft Works 2.0 for Windows, on CD-ROM.

The US Federal Trade Commission begins an investigation of Microsoft Corp., for alleged monopolistic practices in the PC software market.

Creative Labs introduces the Sound Blaster Pro Deluxe, the first stereo PC sound card.

"DOS computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq, Tandy, and millions of others are by far the most popular, with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans, on the other hand, may note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans, and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form." -New York Times, November 26, 1991

Steve Friedman demonstrates the shareware program Director by Helpware.

Rick Hellewell demonstrates the shareware program QuickMenu.

Nancy Hoban of Borland drops by to hint about the topics for Philippe Kahn's future presentation and to give out a bunch of prizes.

Larry Reznick gives away gift certificates to his shop, Rezolution Technical Books.

Microsoft's Donna Garrison demonstrates Works for Windows Microsoft Money, and Microsoft Publisher.

Logitech Corporation turns out in force to talk about the company and their new ScanMan, AutoStitch, and FotoMan products. The crew includes president Pierluggi Zappcosta, Betty Skov, Peter Phillips, Lisa Edwards Wiesner, and Michael Davis.

Sacra Blue features a report by Larry Clark on the problems in the Capitol PC Users Group (Washington, D.C.).

"I don't know if anyone has tried to run Windows on a 286 machine, but frankly I'd rather have knitting needles in my eyes." -Aaron Goldberg, of International Data Corp

Rick Hellewell demonstrates the shareware program AM-Tax91, a print utility called FourPrint, and the humorous "virus scan" called ParaScan.

Gordon Nelder-Adams flashes a copy of Que's Using WordPerfect for Windows, which he co-authored.

Steven Brown of CompuMentor discusses his organization and its outreach program in the Sacramento area.

Chairman, CEO, and President of Borland International Philippe Kahn returns to talk about the Borland/Ashton-Tate merger. He demonstrates Paradox for Windows, dBase for Windows, Quattro Pro 4.0 for DOS, and Quattro Pro for Windows.

Sacra Blue is printed on recycled paper.

Ken Hopkins muses on the passing of the date that the HAL 9000 computer was to have become operational, according to the movie 2001.

IBM reports a year-end loss, for the first time, of $564 million, on revenues of $64.8 billion.

Louis Guice of Whole Earth Electronics gives a brief presentation about their new Arden Way store.

Jonathon Scott, CEO of Traveling Software, returns to the SPCUG stage to discuss the future of laptop computing, and to demonstrate LapLink Pro and BatteryWatch Pro.

Kevin Mankin of Momenta demonstrates the Momenta "PenTop" PC.

Microsoft launches its first TV advertising campaign, for Windows.

Microsoft buys Fox Software, publisger of FoxPro, for 1.36 million shares of Microsoft's common stock.

Intel announces clock-doubling technology for its microprocessors, allowing CPU MHz speeds to continue increasing without requiring faster motherboard components.

Intel debuts the 486DX2 CPU.

Milt Hull and Greg Johnson form the Multimedia SIG.

The Lotus SIG becomes the Spreadsheet SIG.

Election results: President- Tony Barcellos, Exec VP- Rick Hellewell, VP- Ginny Dovi, Treasurer- Tom Dovi, Secretary- Doug Leonard.

AOL goes public on NASDAQ market at original price of $11.50, under symbol AMER.

Phillip Smith and Lynne Garell of Adobe Systems provide an overview of their products and a history of type.

Jody Baldhosky of Tektronix talk about their new printer technology that includes Adobe Postscript support.

John Peck of Adobe wraps up the evening with a demo of Adobe Illustrator 4.0 running under Windows.

Sacra Blue hits 88 pages in size and features a 10-page review of Windows 3.1. It also has a birthday greeting advertisement honoring Larry Clark that was slipped in without his knowledge.

Special Meeting Location: Holiday Inn Holidome.

Microsoft ships Windows 3.1.

"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history, with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila." -Mitch Ratliffe, Technology Review, April, 1992

Kim Dixon and Tracy Gonzales of Corel Systems Corporation show us CorelDRAW 3.0. The grand prize of the evening is the blockbuster bundle that includes CorelDraw on CD-ROM, Corel's own LS200 8-bit SCSI host adapter, Corel SCSI, and the Toshiba multimedia CD-ROM player.

SPCUG has a booth at GTC.

SPCUG sponsors a special presentation by IBM to show OS/2 2.0 at the main auditorium of the Convention Center in conjunction with the GTC.

An hour after the meeting, the Globalnet International Teleconference is held, linking APCUG groups from around the world.

IBM and Microsoft sign a "divorce" document, allowing source code sharing for current versions operating systems up to September 1993.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates receives a National Medal of Technology for Technical Achievement from US President George Bush.