Tech Time Warp is a weekly feature that looks back at interesting moments and milestones in tech history.
Tag: Tech Time Warp
Tech Time Warp: The breakthrough against software piracy that wasn’t
Tech Time Warp: The breakthrough against software piracy that wasn’t
In this edition of Tech Time Warp we go back to April 14, 1995, when the Chinese government began widespread efforts to stop its government agencies from using pirated software. The move came after a Feb. 27, 1995, accord agreement...
Tech Time Warp: Don’t take Windows for granted
Tech Time Warp: Don’t take Windows for granted
When was the last time you thought about how easy Windows makes your life? Seriously, though: Now, the ease with which you move from application to application, use keyboard shortcuts, and even resolve crashes with CTRL+ALT+DEL just feels like functionality...
Tech Time Warp: The wicked ways of the Witty Worm
Tech Time Warp: The wicked ways of the Witty Worm
Although the goal of the Witty Worm wasn’t widespread damage—its entire target population was only 12,000 computers the world over—the malware made its presence known with a vengeance. Within 45 minutes of its first appearance at approximately 8:45 p.m. PST...
Tech Time Warp: Take a nostalgia trip with the World Video Game Hall of Fame
Tech Time Warp: Take a nostalgia trip with the World Video Game Hall of Fame
In this edition of Tech Time Warp, we look at how The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York announced this year’s 12 finalists’ induction into the World Video Game Hall of Fame this month. The Strong’s World...
Tech Time Warp: Magistr “disembowels” computers
Tech Time Warp: Magistr “disembowels” computers
In early 2001, a nasty bug began making the rounds, hitting computer users hard with a particularly challenging payload as seen in this edition of Tech Time Warp. Magistr—sometimes called “Disemboweler” after the Swedish hacker group thought to be behind...
Tech Time Warp: Leap years trip us up every time
Tech Time Warp: Leap years trip us up every time
Leap day 2024 was not without its technical complications. For instance, for more than 10 hours Thursday in New Zealand, drivers could not pay via credit card at gas pumps. Such problems are all part of the grand tradition of leap years,...
Tech Time Warp: The history of Patch Tuesday
Tech Time Warp: The history of Patch Tuesday
Mondays are manic, Wednesday is Hump Day, Thursdays are thirsty, and TGIF. What about poor Tuesday? Well, for the past 20 years, Tuesday has been the responsible workday, thanks to Microsoft. In this edition of Tech Time Warp, we see...
Tech Time Warp: No one is sending you pics of Anna Kournikova
Tech Time Warp: No one is sending you pics of Anna Kournikova
As your mother told you, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. And that’s as true today as it was 23 years ago when “OnTheFly,” a 20-year-old Dutch programmer/hacker, used a computer virus to proclaim his adoration...
Tech Time Warp: Kasparov vs. Deep Blue kicks off AI debate
Tech Time Warp: Kasparov vs. Deep Blue kicks off AI debate
It’s a bit jarring to think how rapidly artificial intelligence became a tool of everyday life following the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022. Now, instead of Googling pasta recipes or travel tips, we’re asking AI, and we’re receiving answers...
Tech Time Warp: The transition to electronic voting faces challenges
Tech Time Warp: The transition to electronic voting faces challenges
A generation later, the images of Florida election workers surrounded by mountains of ballots as they recounted votes in the 2000 presidential election are a distant memory. An entire nation was riveted by the recount, bewildered that the balance of...
