1995
Bill Gates introduces the world to Microsoft Bob at the Consumer Electronics Show. Code-name: Utopia
1996
Texas Instruments (TI) releases the PS-6300, PS-6400 and PS-6500 personal organizers featuring 32K, 64K, and 128K RAM configurations. Price: US$80, US$90, US$120, respectively
Texas Instruments (TI) releases the TI-92 handheld calculator which “combines the power of a computer math lab with the independence of a calculator.” The calculator features a QWERTY keyboard, for which it will be labeled a “computer” rather than a “calculator” by American testing facilities. Subsequently, it can not be used during tests such as the SAT. Price: US$200 Weight: 20oz
1998
The homepage of Texas A&M University is hacked by “Zyklon”. Visit an archived version of the defaced website.
Microsoft attorneys fax Lawrence Lessig a letter requesting his to disqualify himself from serving as special master in the case of United States v. Microsoft, arguing that he is biased.
The stock value of the Netscape Communications Corporation sinks to an unprecedented low of US$18.56 on trading of 13.9 million shares following the announcement of a fourth quarter loss. Netscape attributes the loss to Microsoft’s policy of giving Internet Explorer away for free to virtually anyone.
Sukura, a Japanese bank database, is hacked by “Fujisawa” and the customers’ data is stolen.
The website of Advanced Application Development, Inc. is hacked by “Magica de Bin”. View an archived version of the defaced website.
The website of the Prizon IRC Network is hacked by “Fike Force & net”. View an archived version of the defaced website.
1999
The Macworld Conference & Expo is held January 5 – 8, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California.
At the Macworld Conference & Expo, Apple Computer announces that it has sold eight hundred thousand iMac computers since their August release and plans to release a new set of lower-priced multi-colored machines. The new revision C iMac line will retail for US$1,199 and will feature a 266MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 32MB RAM, a 15-inch monitor, and 6GB hard drive. The systems will be available in Blueberry, Grape, Lime, Strawberry, and Tangerine. The price of the original models will be reduced to US$1,049 from US$1,299.
At the Macworld Conference & Expo, Apple Computer introduces a new Power Mac G3 series of computers. They feature two-tone blue/white semi-translucent cases with handles at each corner, 300 to 400MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 100MHz system bus, up to 1GB RAM, ATI Rage 128 graphics card, 4 PCI slots, 10/100BaseT Ethernet, a CD or DVD drive, a keyboard, a mouse, two USB ports, and two FireWire ports. Price: US$1,599 – 2,999
At the Macworld Conference & Expo, Connectix introduces the Virtual Game Station, a PlayStation emulator that is compatible with Power Macintosh G3 computers including desktops, PowerBooks, and iMacs. The systems allows users to assign controller inputs to keyboard commands, and it allows users to “back-up” copies and Gold Disc-based games. Price: US$49
At the Macworld Conference & Expo, Microsoft releases version 4.5 of its Internet Explorer web browser for the Macs. Visit an archived version of the website for Internet Explorer for Mac.
The science fiction television series Total Recall 2070 premieres on the OnTV television channel in Canada with the episode “Machine Dreams.” The series’ storyline is loosely based on two short stories written by Philip K. Dick, We Can Remember It for You Wholesale and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? It will run for one season of twenty-two episodes. TV.com Summary
2000
Apple Computer announces that the new desktop design for its upcoming MacOS X operating system will be named “Aqua”.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Bill Gates announces a new version of the Windows CE operating system called Pocket PC. The system will run on top of Windows CE 3.0, and it is designed for personal digital assistants (PDAs).
At the Macworld Conference & Expo, Steve Jobs announces that he has accepted the position as full-time CEO of Apple Computer.
2004
Adobe Systems releases Macromedia Director MX 2004, also known as Director 9. Visit the software’s official website.
2005
In a number of news stories releases around the Internet, it is revealed that a simple Google query can reveal a listing of publicly accessible security webcams.
Michael E. Brown, David L. Rabinowitz, and Chad Trujillo discover Eris, the largest dwarf planet yet recorded in the solar system, using images originally taken over the course of three hours on October 21, 2003 from the Palomar Observatory.
Version 0.2.5 of the ReactOS operating system is released. This version features notable improvements in stability. Visit the system’s official website.
2006
The 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show is held in Las Vegas, Nevada, over four days. At the event, Microsoft announces that it will release an add-on for the Xbox 360 later in the year which will allow the system to play HD-DVD discs. Visit the Official Xbox 360 Website.
2007
Adobe Systems releases version 2.01 of Adobe Flex, a suite for developing cross platform Internet applications. Visit the official Adobe website.
Substitute teacher Julie Amero is convicted in a Norwich Superior Court of four counts of risk of injury to a minor (“impairing the morals of a child”) after exposing a seventh grade class to pornographic material by accidentally triggering what is sometime referred to as an internet “porn trap,” a pop up that takes control of browser function when an internet users attempts to exit a site. The verdict is met by public outrage, and it reawakens public concern over invasive internet marketing techniques. Amero’s sentencing will be delayed four times following her conviction in order to further investigate the situation, and on June 6, 2007, a New London superior court judge will overthrow the conviction. Read more about the case at the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use.
|
|
|
Pingback: qwerty » Ieri era il mio compleanno…