David L. Farquhar

IBM PC 5150 Revision A vs Revision B

Dave Farquhar — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:00:27 +0000

October 27, 1982 is the date on the IBM 5150 Revision B BIOS, making this week as good of a time as any to look over the differences between the Revision A and Revision B IBM PC 5150. What are

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Windows 8 released Oct 26, 2012

Dave Farquhar — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:00:04 +0000

Fourteen years ago this week, on October 26, 2012, Microsoft released Windows 8. Let’s just say Windows 8 was not their finest moment. It was their most significant UI redesign since Windows 95, and it flopped. Oddly, two of the

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How much you can make in an entry level cyber security job

Dave Farquhar — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 11:00:46 +0000

How much you can make in an entry level cyber security job is a good question. We’ve all heard there is a shortage of people in cyber security, and while the money is good, there are certain limits. In this

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Commodore 1600 VICmodem

Dave Farquhar — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 11:00:08 +0000

In 1982, computers seemed like a thing in the future for the majority of people. But Commodore was doing what they could to make them affordable. After creating the first color computer that would sell for less than $300, the

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Windows XP released October 25, 2001

Dave Farquhar — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:00:13 +0000

It was 25 years ago this week, on October 25, 2001, that Microsoft released Windows XP. I find it interesting that Microsoft released two of the most beloved Windows versions in the same week, 8 years apart, and another one

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Windows 7 released Oct 22, 2009

Dave Farquhar — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 11:00:16 +0000

On October 22, 2009, Windows 7 was released. It went on to become one of the most popular Windows versions of all time, providing a much needed bounce back after Windows Vista. Two of the most beloved Windows versions ever,

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Creative Computing launched October 1974

Dave Farquhar — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

It was 52 years ago this month, in October 1974, that Creative Computing, one of the greatest computer magazines of the 1970s and 1980s, made its debut. Origins at Digital Equipment Corporation Competing with Byte magazine was tough, even though

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What happened to Epyx

Dave Farquhar — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 11:00:42 +0000

Epyx was one of the most celebrated and prolific software publishers for 8-bit home computers, especially Atari and Commodore, and, to a lesser degree, Apple. But they struggled to transition to newer platforms and that ultimately led to bankruptcy, on

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Who bought Gateway computers?

Dave Farquhar — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:00:17 +0000

There are two ways to look at the question of who bought Gateway computers. Who bought the company, and who bought the computers. Gateway’s computers didn’t have the best reputation, but people loved the company until they didn’t. Gateway fell

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How many VICmodems Commodore sold

Dave Farquhar — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:00:03 +0000

When researching the 1600 VICmodem, I found an assertion that the 1600 was the first modem to sell a million units. And I’ve repeated that claim myself at least once. But I never felt quite right about that. I am

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