Macintosh Folklore Radio

The twisted tale of the Macintosh LC, or “how Apple did almost everything it could to stay out of the entry-level computer market”. Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld December 1990. Text available in HTML and ePub.

Some stats to celebrate MFR 2.0’s first birthday. I welcome your old-time Mac stories and reading requests by e-mail: derek at macfolkloreradio.com An iTunes podcast directory review or star rating would also be nice. Think of it as paying your shareware fee. :-)

The worldwide DRAM shortage of 1988 encourages back-door deals and money grubbing. Audio clips from The Computer Chronicles (Laptop Peripherals, 1988) and the Macintosh IIcx product introduction (Jean-Louis Gassee, March 7, 1989). Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld January 1989. Text available in HTML and ePub.

A backstage look at the creation of the Macintosh II and the unsung heroes who designed it. Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld May 1987. Text available in HTML and ePub.

Ten years on, a look at why some software is still standing, and why other products have died off. From the Macworld 10th anniversary issue. Written by David Pogue, The Desktop Critic, Macworld February 1994. Text available in HTML and ePub.

The trials and tribulations of working with Apple’s first portable Macintosh. Audio excerpt from the Macintosh Portable press event in 1990. Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld March 1990. Text available in HTML and ePub.

David Pogue goes through the harrowing process of installing an accelerator board in a compact Mac. Text available in HTML and ePub formats.

The story of the Macintosh’s very first multitasking environment as told by the programmer himself, Andy Hertzfeld, at folklore.org. Audio excerpt from the “Macintosh at 20” panel hosted at Macworld Boston 2004. Highly recommended! Text available in HTML, ePub, and at folklore.org.

Bill Atkinson, well-known for QuickDraw, MacPaint, and HyperCard, reflects on the 40th anniversary of his start at Apple. Audio excerpt from the Churchill Club’s 2011 event discussing the legacy of Steve Jobs. Text available at folklore.org.

Taking the upgrade path is costly and confusing but ultimately satisfying. Steven Levy documents his upgrade journey from a Macintosh 512k to a Mac Plus. Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld October 1986. Text available in HTML and ePub.

Welcome back, Mac Folklore Radio Listeners–both of you. Some rambling from your podcast host after a nine year absence. Thanks again to vintageapple.org and the mysterious “SteveM” for all the new reading material.

Cheap and cheery gifts to put under the Apple tree. Written by David Pogue, The Desktop Critic, Macworld December 1993. Text available in HTML and ePub.

How “unauthorized” modifications to the Mac became commonplace. Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld January 1987. Text available in HTML and ePub.

The DiskDoubler Story: How to succeed by really trying. Written by Guy Kawasaki, Wise Guy, Macworld December 1993. Text available in HTML and ePub.

Guy Kawasaki’s take on the PDA: the Personal Telephone Assistant. Written by Guy Kawasaki, Wise Guy, Macworld September 1993. Text available in HTML and ePub.

Journalists are summoned to a preview of the NeXT cube. Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld March 1989. Text available in HTML and ePub.

One man’s quest to eliminate the keyboard. Written by David Pogue, The Desktop Critic, Macworld August 1995. Text available in HTML and ePub.

Passing the time with Apple’s StyleWriter. Written by Steven Levy, The Iconoclast, Macworld December 1991. Text available in HTML and ePub.