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THE killer app for businesses. Math types, simulator types (even the Human Genome Project did early work on the Apple ][), computer hobby-geeks and gamers (with
by ci5er 7y ago
THE killer app for businesses. Math types, simulator types (even the Human Genome Project did early work on the Apple ][), computer hobby-geeks and gamers (with too much extra coin) were natural markets, but all small.
For business, a word-processor, at the time, you could take it or leave it, because a good pool typist and a dictaphone was all an executive needed. But, being able to do "What-If" on various business assumptions, in real-time, was a game-changer (esp. w/ all the consolidation M&A happening w/ conglomerates at the time).
You couldn't even buy that with real money before...
- derefr 7y ago> For business, a word-processor, at the time, you could take it or leave it, because a good pool typist and a dictaphone was all an executive needed. You could also buy a literal "word processor"—a piece of hardware much cheaper than a general-purpose computer, akin to a fancy electronically-buffered typewriter. The full power of a computer with pixel-framebuffer display, wasn't really needed for what we today think of as "basic word processing" tasks. The goal of early word-processing software was either just to save you the trivial expense of an electronic word-processor (sort of like a calculator app saves you the expense of buying an electronic calculator); or to be full-blown desktop publishing software.