# Computer History on The No Agenda Show Computer History comes up in 8 chapters across 8 episodes of The No Agenda Show, from March 2008 to October 2024. - **Chapters:** 8 - **Episodes:** 8 - **Discussed:** March 2008 – October 2024 - **Related topics:** [Silicon Valley](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/silicon-valley.md), [Technology History](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/technology-history.md), [17th Anniversary](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/17th-anniversary.md), [Aol](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aol.md), [Appliances](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/appliances.md), [Archives](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/archives.md), [Barack Obama](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/barack-obama.md), [Clive Sinclair](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/clive-sinclair.md), [Cloud Computing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/cloud-computing.md), [Detroit](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/detroit.md) ## Chapters 1–8 of 8 ### John Deere Computers, 17th Anniversary Sign-off - **Episode:** [1706: Nerd & Knucklehead](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1706-nerd-knucklehead.md) - **Published:** 2024-10-24 - **Time:** 3:18:13–3:25:31 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1706-nerd-knucklehead/chapter/john-deere-computers-17th-anniversary-sign-off.md John C. Dvorak shares a piece of obscure tech history regarding a short-lived computer line produced by John Deere in the early 1980s. The hosts sign off by inviting listeners to their upcoming 17th-anniversary celebration. The episode concludes with a musical mix featuring clips of Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and various show themes. Keywords: [john deere](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/john-deere.md), [computer history](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/computer-history.md), [floppy disks](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/floppy-disks.md), [17th anniversary](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/17th-anniversary.md), [hill country](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/hill-country.md), [silicon valley](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/silicon-valley.md) ### Computing History, Mainframes to Microcomputers - **Episode:** [1326: Freedom Bracelet](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1326-freedom-bracelet.md) - **Published:** 2021-03-04 - **Time:** 2:52:15–2:57:48 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1326-freedom-bracelet/chapter/computing-history-mainframes-to-microcomputers.md A retrospective on computing history explores how mini-computer companies like DEC and Wang were eventually marginalized by the microcomputer revolution. An anecdote from MTV in the late 1980s describes the use of expensive Wang word processors and manual conveyor-belt teleprompters. The transition illustrates how established tech firms often fail to adapt to cheaper, more efficient architectures. Keywords: deck, wang, [mtv](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/mtv.md), [teleprompter](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/teleprompter.md), computing history ### Computer History Museum, Adam Curry Enshrinement - **Episode:** [1102: Killer Crickets](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1102-killer-crickets.md) - **Published:** 2019-01-13 - **Time:** 1:19:33–1:22:13 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1102-killer-crickets/chapter/computer-history-museum-adam-curry-enshrinement.md Adam Curry announces his inclusion in the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley for his role in changing the broadcast landscape. An extensive interview was recorded for the archives to document his contributions to podcasting. The hosts joke about the permanence of the legacy in a region known for rapid technological turnover. Keywords: computer history museum, [silicon valley](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/silicon-valley.md), [archives](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/archives.md), [podcasting](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/podcasting.md), [legacy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/legacy.md) ### Sports Talk Radio vs. Podcast Deconstruction - **Episode:** [976: 10th Anniversary](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/976-10th-anniversary.md) - **Published:** 2017-10-27 - **Time:** 6:04:46–6:08:02 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/976-10th-anniversary/chapter/sports-talk-radio-vs-podcast-deconstruction.md A new listener describes how the show replaced his 25-year obsession with local sports talk radio. The hosts briefly discuss the evolution of computer operating systems, comparing modern software to the manual effort required to run Windows 3.0. Keywords: [sports talk radio](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/sports-talk-radio.md), [las vegas shooting](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/las-vegas-shooting.md), windows 3.0, [computer history](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/computer-history.md) ### John Dvorak Detroit Speech, Cloud Computing Slavery - **Episode:** [628: Italian Lightning](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/628-italian-lightning.md) - **Published:** 2014-06-22 - **Time:** 1:45:04–1:49:23 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/628-italian-lightning/chapter/john-dvorak-detroit-speech-cloud-computing-slavery.md John Dvorak reflects on a recent speech given in Detroit regarding the devolution of personal computing. The speech argues that users have moved from being masters of their own hardware to "slaves of the cloud," trapped by smartphones and social media logins. Keywords: [detroit](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/detroit.md), [cloud computing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/cloud-computing.md), personal computing, [facebook](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/facebook.md), [smartphone](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/smartphone.md), [technology history](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/technology-history.md) ### Computing History and Sir Clive Sinclair - **Episode:** [56: 100 Billion Dollars!](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/56-100-billion-dollars.md) - **Published:** 2008-11-08 - **Time:** 1:29:20–1:31:51 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/56-100-billion-dollars/chapter/computing-history-and-sir-clive-sinclair.md A retrospective on early personal computers highlights the Sinclair ZX80 and the Commodore VIC-20 as foundational devices for a generation of programmers. Sir Clive Sinclair is remembered for his commitment to simplicity, famously quipping that he used an 8-bit microprocessor because he "couldn't find a 4-bit." Despite his success in computing, his foray into electric vehicles with the Sinclair C5 was a notable failure. Keywords: [clive sinclair](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/clive-sinclair.md), zx80, [vic-20](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/vic-20.md), 8-bit computing, [technology history](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/technology-history.md) ### Candidate Performance, Obama Computer Invention Claim - **Episode:** [51: Corked Wine](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/51-corked-wine.md) - **Published:** 2008-10-12 - **Time:** 52:04–55:45 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/51-corked-wine/chapter/candidate-performance-obama-computer-invention-claim.md John McCain's performance in the town hall format is described as robotic, while Barack Obama is criticized for a historically inaccurate claim regarding the invention of the computer. Obama reportedly stated that computers were invented by government scientists for communication, whereas the hosts clarify they were originally developed for ballistics calculations like the Univac. Keywords: [john mccain](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/john-mccain.md), [barack obama](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/barack-obama.md), univac, [computer history](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/computer-history.md), [town hall](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/town-hall.md) ### AOL, Steve Forbes and Computer Appliance Myths - **Episode:** [24: Bagging Your Own Reality](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/24-bagging-your-own-reality.md) - **Published:** 2008-03-29 - **Time:** 52:01–54:13 - **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/24-bagging-your-own-reality/chapter/aol-steve-forbes-and-computer-appliance-myths.md A retrospective on the early internet era recalls a conversation with Christopher Buckley about the perceived insignificance of the web compared to AOL. The discussion critiques Steve Forbes' late-90s prediction that computers would become simple "appliances." The hosts argue that computers, like cars, require a level of skill and will never be as simple as a toaster or refrigerator. Keywords: [aol](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aol.md), [steve forbes](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/steve-forbes.md), computing, [internet history](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/internet-history.md), [appliances](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/appliances.md) --- This is the markdown version of a page on The No Agenda Show for AI agents. Every public page on this site has one: add `.md` to its URL, or request it with `Accept: text/markdown`. - [Site index for agents (llms.txt)](https://search.noagendashow.net/llms.txt) - [Home](https://search.noagendashow.net/index.md) - [Search transcripts](https://search.noagendashow.net/search.md) - [All episodes](https://search.noagendashow.net/episodes.md) - [Topics](https://search.noagendashow.net/topics.md) - [People](https://search.noagendashow.net/people.md)