- (month unknown)
-
- Digital Research introduces CP/M-68K, for use on Motorola 68000 processor-based computers. [880.71]
- February 6
-
- Software Arts files a lawsuit against Visicorp to end its contract over rights to market Visicalc, claiming Visicorp failed to market the product adequately. [1286.D4]
- February 14
-
- Lotus Development introduces the Symphony software application, a hopeful successor to Lotus 1-2-3. Symphony adds word processing, communications, and expanded record keeping to the features of Lotus 1-2-3. Price is to be US$695 when released. [1288.D1] [1289.D4] [1299.248]
- February
-
- Microsoft releases Multiplan v1.1 for the PC. [346.111]
- Electronic Arts releases the Seven Cities of Gold game for the Commodore 64. [241.108,112]
- February 21
-
- IBM files a lawsuit against Eagle Computer for copyright violation of the BIOS used in the IBM PC. Eagle agrees on the same day to cease shipments of the infringing computers. [203.23] [1339.D13]
- March
-
- Ashton-Tate announces Framework for the IBM PC. It is integrated software combining word processing, database management, financial modelling, business graphics, outline processing, in a windowing environment. Price is expected to be about US$700. [346.266] [650.74] [912.56] [950.9]
- Microsoft releases MS-DOS 2.1 for the IBM PCjr. [346.265]
- Microsoft releases MS-DOS 2.11. It includes enhancements to better allow conversion into different languages and date formats. [346.253,266]
- Microsoft decides to temporarily shelve work on a new spreadsheet (Excel) for the PC, and concentrate on a version for the Macintosh. [346.157] (mid-year [1149.281])
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- (month unknown)
-
- Computer Software Associates introduces the 64 Doctor diagnostic software for the Commodore 64. [1076.15]
- IBM introduces DisplayWrite 1 for the IBM PC. Price is US$95. [912.54] [950.10]
- IBM introduces DisplayWrite 2 for the IBM PC. Price is US$299. [912.54] [950.10]
- IBM introduces PCWriter for the IBM PC. Price is US$199. [912.54]
- MicroPro International introduces the CorrectStar spell checker for MS-DOS, for US$195. Former name was SpellStar. [912.54]
- April
-
- Microsoft ships Multiplan 1.01 for the Macintosh. [912.44]
- Microsoft France releases Multiplan for the IBM PC. [346.118]
- Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 1.1 for DOS. [346.131] (October 1983 [346.265])
- (month unknown)
-
- Sales of WordStar to date: about 800,000, according to MicroPro International. [951.33]
- Borland International introduces Turbo Pascal for the IBM PCjr. Price is US$49.95. [950.10]
- Lotus Development releases the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program for the IBM PCjr, for US$495. [951.33]
- May
-
- Microsoft ships software developer kits for Windows. [909.229]
- May 14
-
- Ashton-Tate introduces the dBase III relational database program for 16-bit IBM PC-compatible computers. [951.50] [1345.D4]
- May
-
- Quarterdeck Office Systems officially launches DESQ, a text-based windowing environment for running DOS programs. [346.181] (January [477.159])
- Phoenix Software Associates begins licensing its IBM PC compatible ROM BIOS to computer manufacturers. [912.10] [1299.265]
- Activision releases the Pitfall game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- Activision releases the Beamrider game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- June
-
- At Microsoft, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer write an internal applications strategy memo on the company's commitment to the graphical user interface, on the Macintosh and for Windows. [686.148] [1299.256]
- Ashton-Tate ships dBase III. [346.266]
- Activision releases The Activision Decathlon game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- Activision releases the H.E.R.O. game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- Activision releases the Toy Bizarre game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- (month unknown)
-
- Visicorp introduces the FlashCalc spreadsheet program for the Apple II, for US$99. [951.10]
- Apple Computer releases ProDOS. [218]
- Foxbase releases Foxbase software for MS-DOS. [494.6]
- Microsoft introduces the MS-NET operating system. [1186.25]
- Activision introduces the Ghostbusters game for personal computers. Price for Commodore 64 is US$34.95; for Apple II US$39.95; for Atari US$29.95. The game is based on the movie of the same name. [243.52] [1128.60] [2346.102]
- Random House releases The Alpine Encounter game for the Commodore 64 in the US. Price is US$39.95. [335.62]
- Spinnaker releases the Swiss Family Robinson game for the Commodore 64 in the US. Price is US$26.95. [335.62]
- Electronic Arts releases the Dr. J and Larry Bird Go One-on-One game for the Commodore 64. Electronic Arts paid Julius Irving and Larry Bird each $21,000 fee for use of their names and images. [241.112] [2636.265]
- subLogic releases the Flight Simulator game for the Commodore 64. [809.22]
- MicroProse releases the F-15 Strike Eagle flight simulator game in the United States. [1068.8]
- Electronic Arts releases the Archon II: Adept game for the Commodore 64 in the USA. The game was developed by Freefall Associates. [241.108]
- At an IBM strategy conference in Boca Raton, IBM decides its future PC operating system course to be co-developing OS/2 with Microsoft. Three choices turned down are promoting IBM's own CP/X86 (portable code, virtual memory, multitasking, "Mermaid" GUI), licensing CP/X86 to Microsoft, and adopting Unix. [606.74]
- Electronic Arts releases the Murder on the Zinderneuf game. The game was developed by Freefall Associates. [241.109]
- Muse Software releases the Beyond Castle Wolfenstein game for personal computers in the USA. [1473.94]
- Sierra On-Line releases the Mickey's Space Adventure game for personal computers. [1474.77]
- Sierra On-Line releases The Dark Crystal game. [1474.77]
- Activision releases Pitfall II: Lost Caverns for various systems. [1540.49]
- Infocom releases the Planetfall software for personal computers in the USA. [2229.119]
- Jim Button decides to leave his US$50,000 per year job at IBM to work full-time at his US$500,000 per year Buttonware shareware hobby-turned-business. [618.245]
- August 14
-
- Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.0 for PCs. It adds support for 1.2 MB floppy disks, and bigger (than 10 MB) hard disks. [117] [130] [146] [748.29] [1299.268]
- August
-
- IBM introduces the PC/IX operating system for the IBM PC AT. The software is based on UNIX System III from AT&T. [81]
- IBM announces TopView, a DOS multitasking program. [35] [383.14] [618.273] [1299.269]
- Visicorp sells VisiOn to Control Data. [484.D3] [1299.245] (August 1983 [2605.15])
- September
-
- Microsoft begins work on the Windows version of Word. [1701.333]
- Digital Research announces its Graphics Environment Manager (GEM) icon/desktop user interface for 8086- and DOS-based computers. [9] [1639.108] (October [346.266]) (November [477.159])
- September 25
-
- IBM makes a major software announcement of 31 programs for its personal computers. There are two series of programs, the IBM Business Management Series, for US$695 each, and the IBM Personal Decision Series, for US$150-250 each. [1354.D8]
- October
-
- Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 1.15 for DOS. [346.131]
- Microsoft gives a demonstration of the final version of Windows to IBM. For the third time, IBM is not interested. [45]
- (month unknown)
-
- Artificial Intelligence Research Group releases the Eliza psychotherapy game for the Commodore 64. It is the same as the original program created in 1965 by Dr. Joseph Weizenbaum. [1999.92]
- The Avalon Hill Game Company releases the London Blitz bomb disposal simulation game for the Commodore 64. [1999.96]
- Epyx releases the Breakdance game for the Commodore 64. Price is about US$30. [1999.94]
- November 12
-
- Lotus Development officially announces Jazz for the Macintosh 512K, a five-in-one application suite incorporating spreadsheet, database, graphics, word processing, and communications functions. [346.159] [1149.285] [1299.D5] [1357.D5
- November 14
-
- At the Comdex show, Ashton-Tate announces revised versions of dBase II and Framework. [1358.D5]
- November
-
- Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 4.0 for US$500. [330.108] [502.49]
- Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.1 operating system. It adds support for Microsoft networks. [130] [146] [346.254] [346.267] (March 1985 [748.29] [1897.128])
- (month unknown)
-
- Strategic Simulations releases the Rails West! railroad development game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the Broadsides naval battle game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the President Elect game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95 [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the Computer Quarterback game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the Breakthrough in the Ardennes German World War II simulation game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$59.95. [1999.124]
- MicroProse Software releases the Mig Alley Ace combat/flight simulator game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. [1999.125]
- Random House releases the Snoopy's Skywriter Scrambler word game for the Commodore 64, and Apple II. Price is US$39.95. [139.108]
- Progressive Peripherals & Software releases the Wizard Expansion Set for the Commodore 64. Price is US$29.95. [335.54]
- MicroProse releases the Spitfire Ace game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$29.95. [335.54]
- Gamestar releases the On-Field Football game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$31.95. [357.60]
- Mastertronic releases The Quest for the Holy Grail game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$9.95. [335.59]
- Year
-
- Worldwide spreadsheet sales for the year: 1,169,000 units. [627.73]
- Market share of spreadsheet software for the year: Lotus 1-2-3 43%. [627.73]
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