Volkswriter
 Leaflet of VolksWriter 2.2 | |
| Type | Word processor |
|---|---|
| License | Commercial proprietary software |
Volkswriter was a 1980s-era word processor for the IBM PC written by Camilo Wilson and distributed by Lifetree Software, Inc.
Description
Camilo Wilson was an author and computer consultant who in 1981 planned to write a book on the IBM PC. One of the first to receive the new computer, he purchased IBM's EasyWriter word processor—a launch title for the PC—and later said that its "horrors ... were such that I decided to write my own ... to get the book done". After writing the new application in Pascal in less than four months Wilson borrowed $15,000 to market it, and Volkswriter appeared in spring 1982.[1][2] (EasyWriter was so poor in quality that Volkswriter was for a while, as one journalist said that year, "the only fully functioning word processor available for the PC".[ 1][3]) Advertisements claimed that the $195 Volkswriter was "a high performance word processor ... easy to learn ... you cannot erase data unintentionally".[4]
By early 1984 40,000 people were customers for $2 million in sales, and Wilson's company Lifetree Software had released an enhanced $295 Volkswriter Deluxe.[ 1] Lifetree published versions of the software until May, 1989 when due to profitability problems, the Volkswriter product line was sold to some employees. The new company formed with the name Volkswriter Inc.[5]
Reception
PC Magazine wrote that "Like the inspiration for its name, VW doesn't go in for a lot of frills but performs essential functions very well". Although criticizing the lack of headers or footers, it stated "If I needed to have a novice using a word processor within an hour, Volkswriter would be my choice".[6] In a May 1983 review of several IBM PC word processors, BYTE described Volkswriter as "simple in design ... quite straightforward to use for minor writing projects ... just enough features to get most jobs done". It noted Volkswriter's ability to run on a 64K computer and that it had the lowest price, $195, but advised those who primarily used their computers for word processing to consider other options.[3]
- 'Volkswriter 3' Is Word-processing Program Not Likely To Be Outgrown, February 2, 1986 Author:Henry Kisor] (AP article, this copy from the Orlando Sentinel)
- Volkswriter 4. (word processing software) (evaluation) by Joyce Sides COMPUTE! Issue 134, OCTOBER 1991, PAGE 129
- Volkswriter Scientific: Simple, But Not Quite Complete NEW PRODUCTS by David Chan The Scientist 1987-10-19, 1(23):20.
References
- ↑ van Gelder, Lindsy (August 1983). "On The Road To Software Stardom". PC Magazine. p. 156. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ↑ Winkler, Connie (1984-03-20). "People in the News: Camilo Wilson". PC Magazine. p. 62. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Shuford, Richard S. (May 1983). "Word Tools for the IBM Personal Computer". BYTE. p. 176. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ↑ "Volkswriter". PC Magazine (advertisement). April–May 1982. p. 35. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ↑ "The Volkswriter turnaround". Soft-Letter. 1990-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
- ↑ Fluegelman, Andrew (November 1982). "Volkswriter 1.1: Camilo Wilson's Claim to Fame". PC Magazine. p. 73. Retrieved 21 October 2013.