January 1984 — Vol 6 No 1

Overview

David Morganstein continues as President. The issue's centerpiece is not on its pages but in front of them: a tear-out RSVP card for the special January 28, 1984 meeting at the Departmental Auditorium (between 12th and 14th on Constitution Avenue, Washington DC) where Steve Wozniak would unveil the Macintosh to Pi members and the public. Apple officially launched the Mac on Jan 24, 1984 — Pi got Woz + Mac four days later. Articles include MCI Mail and the Apple II (Stephen M. Libster, 26), Comm-Term Communications Package (George V. Kinal, 28), Modifying a $59 Comm. Card (Kinal, 33), Anchor Mark 12 Modem: A Review (Kinal, 36) — a heavy comms-focused issue. Introduction to Modula 2 (Robert C. Platt, 42) — Platt begins his serialized Modula 2 introduction. Agil Paint Program and Slide Show (Roland Combes, 12). The Applesoft Split (Richard Untied, 44). PeachText Word Processor: A Review (Carl Eisen, 52). Pushed into CP/M - Part 2 (Leon H. Raesly, 56). The DisabledSIG Presentation (Peter Combes, 22).

Officers & masthead

President: David Morganstein • VP: Dana Schwartz • Treas: Edward Myerson • Sec: Sarah Lavilla (replacing Paula Benson) • Directors: Bernie Benson, Peter Combes, Bruce F. Field, Nancy Philipp, Gordon Stubbs, Rich Wasserstrom • Editor: Bernard Urban • SYSOP: Tom Warrick • General Counsel: Jim Burger (Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge). Office: 8227 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 201, Bethesda. ABBS: (301) 986-8085.

Table of contents (selected)

Highlights

Wozniak unveils the Mac at Departmental Auditorium — Jan 28 1984

Pi reserved the Departmental Auditorium downtown for the event. The Jan 1984 issue's editorial begs members to RSVP because public interest was expected to fill the hall. This is one of the highest-profile single Pi meetings in Pi's history — the official Pi welcome of the Mac to Washington just four days after Apple's official launch. The event itself is recapped in 1984-04 — V06 N04 by Bart Cable.

MCI Mail launches at Pi consciousness

Libster's piece on MCI Mail and the Apple II is Pi's first sustained coverage of consumer electronic mail beyond CompuServe / The Source. MCI Mail had launched September 1983.

Modula 2 introduction launches

Platt begins what would be a 4-part series introducing Modula 2 (Wirth's Pascal successor) to Pi members.

Entities

People: David Morganstein, Dana Schwartz, Edward Myerson, Sarah Lavilla, Bernie Benson, Peter Combes, Bruce F. Field, Nancy Philipp, Gordon Stubbs, Rich Wasserstrom, Bernard Urban, Tom Warrick, Jim Burger, Stephen M. Libster, George V. Kinal, Robert C. Platt, Roland Combes, Richard Untied, Carl Eisen, Leon H. Raesly, Fred Feer, Nancy C. Strange, John A. Love III, Jay Thal, Steve Wozniak Topics: Wozniak at Pi 1984, Macintosh Launch 1984, Modula 2, Apple II Comms 1984, MCI Mail References: Macintosh, MCI Mail, Comm-Term, Anchor Mark 12, PeachText

Connections to other issues

• The Jan 28 Wozniak/Mac unveiling is recapped in 1984-04 — V06 N04 ("Wozniak Brings Mac to DC" — Bart Cable)
• 1984-02 — V06 N02 is the dedicated Mac launch issue with Warrick's "Macintosh: A First Look"
• Begins Platt's Modula 2 series (Pt II in 1984-02 — V06 N02, Pt III in 1984-03 — V06 N03, Pt IV in 1984-04 — V06 N04)