About This Video
This video is
Waxy.org presents a VHS rip of the out-of-print and unavailable "Computability," an instructional video for home computers from 1984 hosted by Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows.
For more information about the video, and an MP3 of the vinyl LP that inspired it, see this blog post.
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waxpancake (0:19)
9 months ago 0 + -Index to the video's color-coded sections.
waxpancake (1:35)
9 months ago 0 + -Mish-mash of random computer and electronics terms. Flip-flop, hard copy, magnetic core, no end err, and second generation are some of the sillier ones.
waxpancake (1:18)
9 months ago 0 + -"Phillip," a fictional computer narrator. (Inspired by HAL from 2001 or Joshua from Wargames?)
waxpancake (1:56)
9 months ago 0 + -"...bought, rented, or stolen..."
waxpancake (4:20)
9 months ago 0 + -Use the "picture scan" on your VCR. Not "fast-forward"?
waxpancake (4:32)
9 months ago 0 + -Can anyone identify this computer?
waxpancake (5:15)
9 months ago 0 + -"It's very fragile, so don't hold it like this." Whoops.
waxpancake (5:40)
9 months ago 0 + -Memory is a computer's horsepower? Huh?
waxpancake (7:34)
9 months ago 0 + -Section: Glossary
waxpancake (9:30)
9 months ago 0 + -Jayne Meadows defines "hackers"
waxpancake (10:05)
9 months ago 0 + -Only 200 more terms?
waxpancake (11:04)
9 months ago 0 + -Apple vs. IBM, and VHS vs. Beta.
waxpancake (11:45)
9 months ago 0 + -Section: Spread Sheet
waxpancake (12:11)
9 months ago 0 + -Kaypro 2
waxpancake (13:51)
9 months ago 0 + -"skidaladootidoo..."
waxpancake (15:31)
9 months ago 0 + -Steve's mildly off-color "groping in the dark" joke
waxpancake (12:17)
9 months ago 0 + -Perfect Calc for the Kaypro?
waxpancake (19:18)
9 months ago 0 + -Dot-matrix printer.
waxpancake (21:41)
9 months ago 0 + -Computer graphics. VisiCalc for the Apple II?
waxpancake (22:57)
9 months ago 0 + -Sexism is funny!
waxpancake (23:14)
9 months ago 0 + -Spreadsheets used for sports statistics
waxpancake (24:59)
9 months ago 0 + -Spreadsheets for travel planning
waxpancake (26:35)
9 months ago 0 + -Section: Household Systems (aka home automation)
waxpancake (27:44)
9 months ago 0 + -Modems
waxpancake (28:03)
9 months ago 0 + -Reference to Wargames, released the previous year
waxpancake (29:02)
9 months ago 0 + -Section: Data Bases
waxpancake (33:55)
9 months ago 0 + -Boy George vs. Ronald Reagan. Steve Allen notoriously disliked modern pop/rock.
waxpancake (36:16)
9 months ago 0 + -Trixie Tracker circa 1984
waxpancake (37:29)
9 months ago 0 + -What application is this?
waxpancake (39:57)
9 months ago 0 + -Section: Educational Programs
waxpancake (42:08)
9 months ago 0 + -Kaypro Corporation's Educational Math Series. Nice UI!
waxpancake (44:14)
9 months ago 0 + -"Started the rumor that the Japanese bombed Pearl Bailey."
waxpancake (45:47)
9 months ago 0 + -Mention of Pac-Man and Atari.
waxpancake (46:28)
9 months ago 0 + -"Don't worry, we're being paid a huge sum to do this cassette."
waxpancake (47:12)
9 months ago 0 + -Section: Word Processing
waxpancake (49:09)
9 months ago 0 + -Using AppleWorks for the Apple II
waxpancake (52:31)
9 months ago 0 + -Steve Allen raps.