Computer Chronicles

Article summary

Computer Chronicles (or The Computer Chronicles from 1984 to 1989) is an American half-hour television series that was broadcast on PBS public television from 1984 to 2002. It documented and explored the personal computer as it grew from its infancy in the early 1980s to its rise in the global market at the turn of the 21st century. Series creator Stewart Cheifet served as main host throughout the show's existence. Episodes of Computer Chronicles reviewed a variety of home and business computers, including hardware accessories, software and other consumer computing devices and gadgetry. Each episode ended with a news-like segment reporting on new developments and announcements in the computer industry. A wide range of computing topics were showcased and demonstrated, ranging from home use, business, education, gaming, digital music creation and editing, to networking and online telecommunication.

Key claims

1. date of death: 1994 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of death: 2003 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of death is "1994". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of death is "2003". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
5. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377061125