Software developments over the years
Interesting review into software history
Need to review all of this and repackage into a more concise timeline - actually I really need some way to create an editable timeline like that in the genealogical software.
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User prompt 1 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 08:12:46:
When did suse linux 6 first appear?
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Let me search for the specific release date of SUSE Linux 6.
Based on the search results, I can provide you with precise information about SUSE Linux 6.0:
**SUSE Linux 6.0 was first released on December 21, 1998**. This was an important release in the distribution's history, notable for several key characteristics:
- **It was the last release to use the 2.0 Linux kernel** (specifically Linux kernel 2.0.36)
- It was preceded by S.u.S.E. Linux 5.3
- It was succeeded by SuSE Linux 6.1 on April 7, 1999
- This release marked the point where the acronym S.u.S.E. was dropped, with the name becoming simply SuSE
Some notable packages included in this version were:
- **KDE 1.0** with Qt 1.42
- **Linux kernel 2.0.36**
- **Star Office 5.0**
- **XFree86 3.3.3**
This was also the **first release to include SaX (SuSE advanced X configuration tool)** and to have glibc2 support, making it a significant milestone in the distribution's development.
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User prompt 2 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:04:23:
What other office packages were available at that time on windows? I was originally using AMI Pro, but switched to something on the windows machine which was compatible with Star Office
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Let me search for office software available around 1998-1999.
Based on the search results and my knowledge, here are the popular office software packages available on Windows around 1998:
## Major Office Software Packages in 1998
| Software | Key Characteristics | Compatibility |
|----------|---------------------|---------------|
| **Microsoft Office** | Dominant market leader | Highly compatible with most systems |
| **Lotus SmartSuite** | Integrated suite with Ami Pro word processor | Good cross-compatibility |
| **WordPerfect Office** | Known for "Reveal Codes" feature | Strong document formatting |
| **StarOffice** | Cross-platform office suite | Good compatibility with multiple systems |
| **Corel WordPerfect** | Popular word processing alternative | Strong in document editing |
### Context for Your Transition
Since you mentioned switching from AMI Pro, you were likely looking at one of these alternatives:
1. **Microsoft Office** was the most prevalent option. By 1998, **Microsoft Office 97** was the standard version, which would have been highly compatible with most Windows systems.
2. **Lotus SmartSuite** (which originally created AMI Pro) was another strong contender. The suite offered integrated applications with similar interfaces and toolbars.
3. **StarOffice** (which you mentioned) was gaining popularity as a cross-platform solution, offering good compatibility between different operating systems.
### Interesting Historical Note
Interestingly, many of these office suites were being ported to Unix systems during this period. **Ami Pro 3.0**, for instance, was ported to HP-UX Unix in 1994, showing the increasing complexity of office software ecosystems at the time.
Would you like me to elaborate on any of these office software options or provide more details about their features in 1998?
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User prompt 3 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:06:45:
Lotus was what I was trying to remember and featured somewhere on the original move to openoffice which of cause political actions forked to my current tool set LibreOffice
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Let me provide some context about Lotus, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice's interconnected history.
## Lotus and OpenOffice Connection
| Software | Key Milestones | Significance |
|----------|----------------|--------------|
| **Lotus SmartSuite** | Developed by Lotus Development Corporation | Popular office suite in 1990s |
| **StarOffice** | Acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999 | Open-sourced foundation for OpenOffice |
| **OpenOffice.org** | Launched in 2002 | Free, open-source office suite derived from StarOffice |
| **LibreOffice** | Forked in 2010 | Community-driven alternative after Oracle acquired Sun |
### Historical Progression
**Lotus SmartSuite** played a crucial role in the early office software ecosystem. When **Sun Microsystems** acquired StarOffice in 1999, they made a pivotal decision to open-source the code. This led to the creation of **OpenOffice.org** in 2002, which was essentially a free version of StarOffice.
#### The LibreOffice Fork
In **2010**, when Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems, the open-source community became concerned about the future of OpenOffice. This **political and strategic concern** led to the **creation of LibreOffice** by The Document Foundation.
**Key reasons for the fork included**:
- Concerns about Oracle's commitment to open-source
- Desire for more community-driven development
- Faster release cycles
- More transparent governance
### Technical and Community Evolution
LibreOffice has since become the **primary open-source office suite**, continuing the legacy of Lotus, StarOffice, and OpenOffice.org. It maintains **compatibility with multiple file formats** and provides a **free, cross-platform alternative** to commercial office suites.
Your journey from Lotus to OpenOffice to LibreOffice is a classic example of the open-source software evolution, driven by community needs and technological innovation.
Would you like to hear more about the technical or historical details of this software progression?
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User prompt 4 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:11:54:
Those prompts fit in with what I was sort of remembering myself. I still have files in ami pro formats in the old archives but it's nice to see the progression. It is a pity that oracle have tried to muddy the waters by pushing openoffice over to apache rather than simply supporting the mainstream development framework. I'll pull this together as a page on my own blog ;)
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Your recollection highlights an important chapter in open-source software history. The Oracle-Apache OpenOffice situation was indeed a contentious moment in open-source community development.
## Software Preservation and Legacy
| Format | Preservation Challenge | Modern Alternatives |
|--------|------------------------|---------------------|
| **Ami Pro Files** | Aging proprietary format | LibreOffice conversion tools |
| **OpenOffice** | Transferred to Apache | LibreOffice continues active development |
| **Document Formats** | Increasing standardization | ODF (Open Document Format) |
### Archival Considerations
**Preserving old file formats** is a crucial aspect of digital archiving. The fact that you still have Ami Pro format files is fascinating from a digital preservation perspective. **LibreOffice and other modern office suites often include conversion tools** that can help you migrate these historical documents to contemporary formats, ensuring their long-term accessibility.
### Community Dynamics
The **transfer of OpenOffice to Apache** was widely seen as a **strategic move that fragmented the open-source office suite community**. The Document Foundation's LibreOffice remained the more actively developed and community-driven project, ultimately becoming the **primary open-source office suite** for most users.
### Blogging Suggestion
When you compile this for your blog, you might want to highlight:
- The historical progression of office software
- The importance of open-source development
- The challenges of file format preservation
- The community-driven nature of software like LibreOffice
It sounds like you have a rich personal history with these technologies, which could make for a compelling narrative about software evolution.
Would you like any specific advice about documenting this journey for your blog?
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User prompt 5 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:14:36:
Can you provide a few more of the dates that fill in the gaps. For example when did Ami pro first appear? I think it predates M$'s own word processor?
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Let me search for the early history of Ami Pro and Microsoft Word.
## Word Processing Software Timeline
| Year | Key Event |
|------|-----------|
| **1988** | **Samna releases Ami (first commercial Windows word processor)** |
| 1989 | Microsoft Word for Windows first released |
| 1990 | Lotus acquires Samna for $65 million |
| 1991 | Ami Pro launched on Windows 3.0 platform |
| 1992 | Ami Pro v3.0 released |
| 1992 | Ami Pro v3.1 (final version) released |
| 1995 | IBM acquires Lotus Development Corp |
| 2001 | Lotus brand discontinued |
### Interesting Historical Context
**Ami Pro was groundbreaking** in several ways:
- **First commercial word processor for Windows 2.0**
- Beat Microsoft Word by approximately one year
- Had an innovative, visually appealing interface with side icons
- Integrated desktop publishing-like features for mixing images and text
### Evolution of the Software
The software went through several transformations:
1. **Ami** (1988) - Original version
2. **Ami Pro** (after adding table support)
3. **Lotus Ami Pro** (after Lotus acquisition)
4. **Lotus Word Pro** (final iteration under IBM)
### Market Context
Despite its innovative features, Ami Pro lagged behind Microsoft Word in sales. The software was bundled with Adobe Type Manager to compensate for Windows' poor scalable font support before TrueType.
Would you like me to elaborate on any part of this historical overview?
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User prompt 6 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:17:26:
My first PC was an IBM AT with an expensive copy of Racal Redac PCB design software and I drove across London on christmas eve to pick it up, but can't pin down what year that would have been?
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Let me help you narrow down the timeframe for the IBM AT and Racal Redac software.
## IBM AT and Racal Redac Context
| Year | Key IBM and Technology Milestones |
|------|-------------------------------------|
| **1984** | **IBM Personal Computer/AT (PC/AT) introduced** |
| 1985 | Intel 80286 processor becomes standard in AT |
| 1986-1987 | Peak years of early AT adoption |
| 1989 | Intel 80386 processors start replacing ATs |
### Racal Redac Specifics
Racal Redac was a significant player in PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design software during the 1980s and early 1990s. The software was particularly notable for:
- **Professional-grade PCB design tools**
- High-end engineering applications
- Expensive licensing typical of specialized engineering software
### Contextual Questions
To help pinpoint the exact year, I'm curious:
- Do you remember approximately how much the software cost?
- Was this for professional work or a personal project?
- Do you recall the specific specifications of your IBM AT (processor speed, memory)?
### Historical Significance
The IBM AT was a **groundbreaking computer** that:
- Used the **Intel 80286 processor**
- Ran at **6-8 MHz**
- Typically had **1-2 MB of RAM**
- Used **16-bit architecture**
- Was significantly more powerful than previous PC models
The fact that you drove across London on Christmas Eve to pick up the software suggests it was quite important to you at the time.
Would you like to provide more details to help narrow down the specific year of your purchase?
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User prompt 7 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:20:27:
I think I paid £5500 for the whole package and it was for my business. It paid for itself in the following couple of years as it was a lot quicker then red and blue sticky tape. I think I had to have extra memory for the design software ?6Mb and the 30Mb disk is an historic item still sitting on the shelf here.
Claude Haiku 3.5:
## PCB Design Technology Milestones
| Year | Technology | Typical Specifications | Cost Range |
|------|------------|------------------------|------------|
| **1984-1986** | **IBM AT / Early PCB Design Systems** | **640 KB - 6 MB RAM** | **£4000-£7000** |
| 1985 | Intel 80286 Processor | 6-10 MHz | High-end professional systems |
| 1986-1988 | Advanced CAD Software | Specialized engineering tools | Significant business investment |
### Historical Context
Your description points to a **period between 1985 and 1988**. The details are fascinating:
- **£5500** was a **significant investment** for a business technology solution
- **6 MB of RAM** was considered **extremely high-end** at the time
- **30 MB hard disk** was a massive storage capacity for that era
### Technology Transition
The transition from **manual PCB design** (red and blue sticky tape) to **digital design tools** was revolutionary. Your investment demonstrates:
- **Technological foresight**
- Understanding of efficiency gains
- Willingness to adopt cutting-edge technology
### Preservation Note
The fact that you still have the **30 MB hard disk** is remarkable. These are now **historical artifacts** of computing history, representing a pivotal moment in digital design technology.
### Memory and Storage Context
- **Standard PCs** of that era typically had **640 KB RAM**
- Your **6 MB RAM** was 9-10 times the standard
- **30 MB hard drive** was considered massive storage at the time
Would you like to explore more about the technological leap from manual to digital PCB design during that period?
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User prompt 8 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:25:19:
The progress through various PCB design packages over the years was a lot more difficult than the word processor progressions and I need to try and remember just what I did use after Racal Redac. Easy PC was a later packages, but there were a couple of commercial packages prior to that which had extortionate price hikes. At least today KiCAD has provided a stable free home for my designs even if conversion of older Easy PC ones was problematic.
Claude Haiku 3.5:
## PCB Design Software Evolution
| Era | Software | Key Characteristics | Market Position |
|-----|----------|---------------------|-----------------|
| **1980s** | **Racal Redac** | **High-end professional tool** | Expensive enterprise solution |
| Late 1980s-Early 1990s | Various Commercial Packages | Proprietary formats | High licensing costs |
| Mid-1990s | Easy PC | More accessible design software | Intermediate market option |
| 2000s-Present | **KiCAD** | **Open-source, free solution** | Community-driven development |
### Historical Software Landscape
The PCB design software market was notably different from word processors:
- **Extremely expensive commercial packages**
- Proprietary file formats
- Limited interoperability
- Significant barriers to entry for smaller businesses and hobbyists
### Transition Challenges
Your experience highlights several key issues in PCB design software:
- **High cost of professional tools**
- Frequent format changes
- Difficult file conversions
- Vendor lock-in strategies
### Modern Open-Source Solution
**KiCAD** represents a significant breakthrough:
- **Free and open-source**
- Community-developed
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Continuous improvement
- Addresses many historical pain points of proprietary software
### Conversion Difficulties
The **problematic conversion from Easy PC** is a common challenge in specialized design software. These issues typically stem from:
- Proprietary file format designs
- Lack of standardized export/import mechanisms
- Complex schematic and layout representations
### Potential Research Angle
For your blog, you might explore:
- The evolution of PCB design tools
- Economic barriers in specialized software
- The impact of open-source solutions
- Your personal journey through different design packages
Would you like to dive deeper into any of these aspects of PCB design software history?
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User prompt 9 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:31:00:
Need to dig a little into the gap between Recal and EasyPC, and at the same time have a look at the CAD side. Another historic item is the dongle to allow AutoCAD 2.6 to run and while I paid for upgrades for many years, those also became too expensive to justify. 'Improvement' we were being charged for had little value to my electronics business, so switches to cheaper options came in like TurboCAD and others, which have evolved to FreeCAD today, but I still resort to LibreCAD as a DRAWING package since FreeCAD is very poor on producing actual production drawings ;)
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Let me help you explore the CAD and PCB design software landscape during that transition period.
## CAD and PCB Design Software Evolution
| Period | CAD Software | Key Characteristics | Price Range |
|--------|--------------|---------------------|-------------|
| **1980s** | **AutoCAD 2.6** | **Professional drafting standard** | **Expensive, dongle-protected** |
| Late 1980s-1990s | Various CAD Packages | Proprietary formats | High licensing costs |
| Mid-1990s | TurboCAD | More affordable alternative | Mid-range pricing |
| 2000s | **FreeCAD** | **Open-source 3D CAD** | Free |
| Current | **LibreCAD** | 2D drafting focus | Open-source |
### CAD Software Progression
Your experience mirrors a common trajectory in professional design software:
- **Expensive professional tools** (AutoCAD)
- Rising costs of marginal upgrades
- Shift to more affordable alternatives
- Eventually moving to open-source solutions
### PCB Design Software Gap
Let me search for the PCB design software landscape between Racal Redac and Easy PC.
### Software Transition Period
Based on the search results, here's a timeline of PCB and CAD software developments:
| Year | PCB Design Software | CAD Software | Key Events |
|------|---------------------|--------------|------------|
| **1987** | **Racal-Redac Bloodhound router** | AutoCAD growing | Industry consolidation |
| 1988 | CADSTAR released by Racal-Redac | AutoCAD 2.6 | CadSoft EAGLE introduced |
| 1994 | **Zuken acquires Racal-Redac** | TurboCAD emerging | Significant market shifts |
| 1995 | US PCB production reaches $7.1 billion | Increasing alternatives | Open-source beginnings |
### Interesting Observations
- **Racal-Redac was a significant player** in PCB design software
- The late 1980s and early 1990s saw rapid consolidation in the CAD/PCB design market
- **Zuken's acquisition of Racal-Redac in 1994** was a pivotal moment
- Your transition from expensive commercial packages to open-source tools (KiCAD, LibreCAD) mirrors the broader industry trend
### CAD and PCB Design Software Evolution
Your journey reflects the broader industry transformation:
- **Expensive, proprietary tools** (Racal Redac, AutoCAD)
- Rising costs of marginal upgrades
- Emergence of more affordable alternatives
- Eventual shift to open-source solutions
Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspect of this software evolution?
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User prompt 10 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:36:13:
Around 1982 I worked for Macro Marketing based in Slough and was responsible for a VAX design system for semiconductors. Do you have any history on what happened to Macro Marketing ... they used to run the entire sales floor on a single PDP11 before switching to a pair of Amdahl computers
Claude Haiku 3.5:
Let me search for information about Macro Marketing and the computing systems you mentioned.
## Computing History Context
| Year | Key Event | Details |
|------|-----------|---------|
| **1982** | **Macro Marketing VAX Design System** | **Semiconductor design using VAX computer** |
| 1970 | Amdahl Corporation Founded | Mainframe computer company |
| Late 1970s | PDP-11 Peak Usage | Widely used in business and scientific computing |
| 1980s | Transition to Multi-Processor Systems | Amdahl and other manufacturers |
### Interesting Historical Insights
Unfortunately, I couldn't find specific information about Macro Marketing in Slough. However, your description provides fascinating insights into the computing landscape of the early 1980s:
- **VAX systems** were cutting-edge for semiconductor design
- **PDP-11 computers** were extensively used in business and scientific applications
- **Amdahl computers** were significant IBM-compatible mainframe alternatives
### Computing Infrastructure Details
Your mention of running the entire sales floor on a PDP-11 and then switching to Amdahl computers reflects the typical computing evolution of that era:
- **Single PDP-11 for entire business operations**
- Transition to more powerful multi-processor systems
- Increasing computational needs driving hardware upgrades
### Technological Context
The **VAX (Virtual Address eXtension)** system you worked with was a significant advancement:
- Developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
- 32-bit computing architecture
- Powerful for scientific and engineering applications
- Particularly strong in design and simulation work
Would you like to elaborate on your experiences with the VAX system or the semiconductor design work at Macro Marketing?
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User prompt 11 of 11 - 15/02/2026, 09:37:51:
Enough for now ... morning exercise time!
Claude Haiku 3.5:
## Fitness Reminder
**Enjoy your morning exercise!**
Physical activity is an excellent way to:
- Boost energy levels
- Improve mental clarity
- Support overall health
- Prepare for the day ahead
### Quick Wellness Tip
Remember to:
- Stay hydrated
- Warm up properly
- Listen to your body
- Have fun with your workout
Take care, and I look forward to continuing our fascinating conversation about technology history when you return.