People's Computer Company Newsletter. Vol. 1, No. 1-3.

COMPUTING.

Editore: Menlo Park, California: People's Computer Center, 1972-73

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The first three issues of one of the earliest personal computing publications, founded by Dennis Allison, Bob Albrecht, and George Firedrake in Menlo Park. Early issues of this periodical are scarce in commerce. The People's Computer Company recognized the potential of personal computing for individual and social empowerment. They advocated for software without copyright and published code listings, mostly for games, that readers could hand-type into their early personal computers; this practice was a huge boost to the young, rapidly developing computer industry. They were one of the first organizations to advocate for play as a legitimate way of learning and encouraged widespread computer literacy, taking computers into libraries, schools, and elder communities. Their newsletter advertised workshops in computer science, offered simple breakdowns of computer terminology, and solicited and circulated reviews, advice, and opinion pieces on all things related to personal computing. As well as publishing early best-sellers in microcomputer literature, such as My Computer Likes Me When I Speak Basic (1972) and What to Do After You Hit Return (1975), the People's Computer Company created Tiny BASIC in 1975 in response to an open letter by Bill Gates, complaining about users pirating Altair BASIC. Tiny BASIC was a completely free version of BASIC, and the overwhelming positive response led the People's Computer Company to set up Dr Dobb's Journal, the first regular periodical with a specific focus on microcomputer software. Tiny BASIC implementations are still used today. Three issues (300 x 255 mm), 16 pp. (nos. 1 & 3) and 20 pp. (no. 2). Lightly toned with trivial nicks and creases to edges: very well preserved.

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Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: People's Computer Company Newsletter. Vol. 1, No. 1-3.
• Editore: Menlo Park, California: People's Computer Center, 1972-73