|
YOUR COMMENTS: CONTINUED
I loved this series. Anyone who works in the computer industry should be forced to watch this series.
I saw the Triumph of the Nerds last night and found the show very informative. The major drawback was the constant reference to "nerds". As an electrical engineering professor, I am constantly trying to increase women enrollments in engineering, and your depiction, that all successful computer scientists or engineers are nerds is exactly the stereotype we are fighting. The two women from Microsoft interviewed in the film didn't seem like nerds at all - but the number of references in the show and in this very web page can do nothing but reinforce the idea that engineering particularly computer engineering is only for geeks. Your show was not quite as damaging as the Barbie doll which said "Math is hard" but it is close. I am not suggesting that the content be changed at all - just the constant reference to nerds (especially in this web page). When U.S. News and World Report (May 27, 1996) did a cover story on some of the young brains getting rich from the net, the story was entitled "Wired Whiz Kids" and "Net Superstars" - not Parade of the Nerds.
I must say I found the repeated reference offending.
Definitively complete. An excellent excuse to spend 3 hours in front of my TV rather than my computer. It seems to me that this could almost be converted to a regular series!?
Keep up the GREAT work. I very much enjoyed tonight's program--especially since it was shown in one evening. Very entertaining, enlightening and informative. I've recently been infected with the programming bug myself, at age 44, and I can readily identify with the enthusiasm and excitement displayed by the "nerds" in this program. I look forward to viewing similar programs, particulary relating to the Internet and WWW. Mary Holder Huntsville, AL
This was an excellent program, one of the best I ever viewed on PBS. Keep up the good work. Clifton J. Phillips Greencastle, Indiana
I thought this the best documentary I've seen in a long while, I like to see more like this. Think I'll get the tapes. Anonymous
One of the most fascinating things I've seen in a long time. It's surprising that no one has done such a comprehensive look at the revolution that is shaping all of our lives before now. What made it really special is that instead of producing a dry documentary they went straight to the people who were involved. This is the type of programming that could only be on PBS and a good example of why public TV should be supported by all. Gregory Feltner
The program was full of inaccuracies and misrepresentation, but I was especially appalled by the host's implicit claim that no software exists for Macintoshes (because none was on Generic Computer SuperStore's shelves).
Mac users have almost always purchased their software by
mail-order, so there is little demand for shelf-
ware. And most importantly, there's plenty of
software available for the Macintosh, including all
of the most popular titles. Microsoft itself has
proclaimed that Macintosh development remains
a priority, and all of their major products
(e.g., the Office suite) are available for the Mac.
I'll list some others: WordPerfect, PageMaker,
FrameMaker, PhotoShop, Illustrator, Quark XPress,
Netscape Navigator, FileMaker Pro... There are
also many products, especially in multimedia, which
are simply unavailable for the PC. Surely the
host is aware of this. Or perhaps he just didn't
want to dilute the "Microsoft is victor" tone
of the entire program, which was completely
unworthy of PBS. I sometimes felt like I was
watching an info-mercial for Windows.
This program gave a great overview of the computer world and how it started. This would be a great program for those who do and do not know much about the personal computer history. I would watch it again. Thanks, Ted Daniels Nampa, Idaho
I loved this show, and I am not a computer geek! It was interesting, informative and best of all, very irreverent. I have already recommended the show to friends and colleagues, and I look forward to reading "Accidental Empires." BRAVO, PBS!!! Kelly McDonald San Francisco, CA
Nerds was excellent, but you left out first and last chapter, which is underway now. The fist thing to add to your next show is a rundown on the man who invented the mouse, "windows", hypertext, and more, and demonstrated these in 1968. He is Doug Engelbart, now in his 70s who runs Bootstrap institure with his daughter Chistina in California. Doug is important because he is the first to recognize the computer as an instrument to "augment" human intelligence. This dream he started is now coming to the fro through networks, groupware, and computer assisted synchronous and asynchronous meetings. All of which Doug foretold.
The real story now is in collaborative thinking using computer technology.
That is the next story I hope you do soon as possible. Although I have seen several documentaries over the years, none of them went into great depth and scope compared to 'Triumph of the Nerds'. This is truly the finest work on the subject of computer history that has ever been produced in video format.
I would have liked to have seen some comments on Atari and Commodore, which sold more machines than Apple. Also, a few more industry celebrities might have been included. Nevertheless, 'Triumph' is worth watching and owning.
My husband and I both enjoyed this show very much! He has been an electronics and computer hobbyist from the very beginning and has an extensive collection of "antique" computers. So it brought back a lot of memories for both of us. He attended several West Coast Computer Faires, and has met some of the movers and shakers profiled (though not Bill Gates!)... We both work at Cal State U. Sacramento; I work on administrative mainframes and he's the campus PC guru. We loved this program and thank you for it. We are intending on setting up a web site to show off his "collection" of over 70 old computers one of these days. Judy Montgomery Sacramento, CA
Excellent! The best show of it's kind I have yet seen. Although I was in grade school throughout the 70s and early 80s and began my computer experience in 7th grade on an Apple II, I had never gotten the full picture. The candid interviews and opinions, the amount of detail and substantive information, and the host's easy-going approach and humor pulled me in from the first minute I began watching. This is what television is all about. Eric DeRitis Sunnyvale, CA (Silicon Valley)
My husband and I watched your television show , Triumph of the Nerds, last night. I am a mechanical engineer and my husband has a degree in computer science so the show was quite interesting. I have one complaint though. I am the mother of a young girl and have gone through getting a BS and an MS in engineering. Women are not necessarily bored by scientific, electronic or other "gizmos" as you suggest during the beginning of the program! During a scene shot at a swap meet in CA, your made the comment that "no wonder the only woman in the area looks bored, this is a boys world...." You then go on to interview a young boyy of about 10 years old. I think that was a terrible thing to say! and a terrible message to send to our young females! We are just as capable of performing in a science or engineering field as any man and I take offense at that comment. A few other comments were made throughout the show that hinted that girls could not do something but the above stated comment was the stand out. For the most part I enjoyed the show and think it is amazing that we have come so far in such a short time. But just because the pioneers weren't females doesn't mean you should slam whatever futture pioneers we might have. Laurie Laird Ada, OH
The Triumph of the Nerds was a very informative program. I learned a great deal about the history of computers because of this program. Thank you PBS! Because no one else would have shown that program. Michael Alan Wilber Skowhegan, ME
Overall, the content of the show was excellent. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy being subjected to 3 hours of Bob Cringley primping, preening, and generally hamming it up. At least one hour could have been cut from the show if you took out all of the Bob Cringley extraneous fluff.
Thank you for giving Apple
the credit it is due...a pc will
never, never, ever be a Mac,
no matter what they come
up with at Microsoft. Windows
95 only tries to look like a
Mac...and does not succeed.
Behind the graphics still lurks
dos, and config.sys etc., and it
is nasty! (I am very well versed
with both Mac's and PC's, but
choose, prefer, demand to
work on a Mac.)
Wow! I watched TOTN Tuesday, June 12 and was absolutely riveted. I know all the history, but to have EVERY person involved tell it in their own words was amazing. I first used a computer with the Commodore PET in 1979 and currently I'm a Multimedia Producer at HBO in NYC.
Phenomenal job on the docu!
Great. Extremely informative. I could have watched another three hours. This type of programming is the reason I support public television. Ronald A. Duff North Muskegon, MI
I have been in the computer business for about 20 years now and I'm glad to say that someone has finally got it right. Thank you for doing an outstanding job. Bob Cringely did an excellent job of researcing the history of computers and PBS did their always professional job of presenting it. I hope you will do more of this type of programming in the future. Lance S. Fraser Nashua, NH
Saw your program last night and waited 'til it was over before I watched 'da Bulls!Started on the first Apple II in 1980 and now run a $500K computer color separations graphic business. (All Mac based).The program was AWESOME! I recommend it to all who have ever or ever plan to use a PC! Richie Minor Evansville, IN
I REALLY enjoyed this broadcast. I saw so much historical material that I have heard about in bits and pieces but never got the bigger picture. I need to see this again to catch all the data-- so much material in so short a time. It was great! It also showed the counter-culture atmosphere that made some of the events possible. I am originally from CA and had a lot of empathy with the production.
This is a very timely program and helps inform
the public about the background of the current
cybercraze and how the personal computer began
that made it all possible. I cannot think of a more
interesting story.
One of the most fascinating programs in years! There is a mighty lesson in this program for corporate America, i.e. that creative people can perform miracles when freed from the bureauracy that controls most big companies. I was a computer professional from 1957 until retirement in 1991, and while my company saw the PC revolution coming, the corporate hierachy could not adjust quickly, and the company almost failed as a result.
Long live the Nerds!
Triumph of the Nerds was the most comprehensive show I've ever seen on computers. I was glued to the TV. It is exciting to think that we are seeing and hearing the beginning of a revolution, like Benjamin Franklin's discoveries with electricity. Except Bill Gates, Steve Jobs et al are still alive. I bought my first PC 18 months ago and I have been totally captivated since. I'm even considering changing careers from Law Enforcement to computer programming.
Thank you for broadcasting such a great program. I hope to see more like it in the future.
As a PC user for 16 years (since 1980), I congratulate you on an excellent series. Triumph of the Nerds is the best series on the PC I've ever seen. It should be required viewing in every Middle School and High school in America. Jorge Rodriguez Ocala, FL
You have a big hit with Bob. He's funny, bright, articulate and doesn't play favorites. He's a *real* person and PBS is the perfect outlet for him to tell these nostalgic, informative, inciteful and entertaining computer tales. He should be a regular just like Stuart C. and Computer Chronicles. Your "nerds" show was wonderful! Steve Hite Jacksonville, FL
well done. succinct and informative. positively the best three hours I've spent this year. Liz Velasquez San Francisco, Ca Keep shows like this coming on PBS! My eyes were glued to the TV - I couldn't get enough! Very, very excellent stuff.
This web site is cool too.
What a great show! Even though I work in the software industry, I learned a lot from the show. I can't wait to go into work tomorrow and evangelize about the need for creativity and vision in the company I work for. Great show! L.Woodruff
This was one of the best and most complete presentations I have ever seen. I have been in the industry since 1972, and would be considered a nerd. Maybe this is why I appericated it and was unable to leave the couch. I am purchasing the video and book to add to my collection.
Keep up the good work, and this program has given me the needed push to become a sponsor of PBS
Wow!!! What a wonderful program that was. Thank you. I'm enjoying my home computer for the past 6 months along with Windows95... It really gave me the history and the making of what I'm using right now to send this e-mail.
Thank you PBS and I need to send you more money!
I was hoping to see some reporting, but I saw a Microsoft Infomercial. Shame. Thomas K. Wallenius Alexandria, VA
As a student at a technical university, I often take for granted how the personal computer has evolved and I never fully appreciated the sacrifices and contributions of so many individuals. Being only a young man of 21, I was too young to understand or appreciate the history, the political wheeling and dealing, the stealing of ideas and the ambitions of the driven leaders of the prominent computer companies, occurring during the 1980's, which resulted in the computer world we know today. Your show was an enlightening history of a subject so many take for granted and yet few truly understand. I hope that more watch this series, especially individuals among my generation who have been so influenced and benefitted by the innovations of the computer age. Kudos to PBS and the people involved with the show! Keep up the great work! Blacksburg, Virginia (Virginia Tech)
To read more comments click here.
|| Comments || Q & A With Bob || Nerds Home || PBS Online || |