The PC Revolution ^©

- An Anarchist’s Journal -

Author Interview With Dick Brown

As I set out to write The PC Revolution,  I talked with many people.  Some were old friends from that era and others were far removed from that revolution or industry.  Some of the questions both asked were noteworthy.

1.  Why write about something that happened many years ago?

I found that it's true that enough time has to pass to give one perspective on important historical events.  The people that quickly wrote books back then were mostly hired-gun, "outsiders" and they focused on technology and obvious events.  I was an insider and active participant.  It took some time before I could view both people and the sweep of events objectively.  This is particularly true during the actual revolution since I was spending 60-70 hours a week trying to keep our venture alive (the Computer Store).

I also wanted to write the book while I could still reach the principals that "fought that fight".

Lastly, as most people, I wanted to create something for my progeny ... not that this will probably make too much difference in their lives.  It's the same human drive that caused cave people to paint or the citizens of Paris to spend generations chipping stones for Notre Dame.  There is no immortality but it's nice to kid ourselves and perform the classic rituals.

2.  What else is different about this book?

I tried to weave my personal experiences with the people, companies and technologies that changed my world.  I'm fortunate that my career began near the very inception of commercial computers and paralleled many of its tortuous growth paths. 

A few, earlier books either lost readers while extolling the technology used by the various PC manufacturers or elevated a handful of participants to heroic status without any understanding of those people or the times that shaped them.  I knew all of these "players" and understood their motives and human frailties. 

I can now chronicle the causes and effects in my era that spelled doom for major, established companies with billions in revenue and tens of thousands of employees.  There are valuable lessons here for today's entrepreneurs, particularly in the uncertain times we're entering.  The financial crises of 2009 presents many of the same challenges as the rigors of the PC Revolution.  

3.  What about  the consulting you've always done at your company, American World?

I'll continue this, but I'm also going to increase my writing.  I'm thinking about follow-on books that'll chronicle as many of the people and events of the PC Revolution as I can handle.  There are many lessons today's generations can learn from all that happened then ... and new books will sure keep me busy.