OT: Is there a Peter Norton? Really?

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In the interest of changing the subject for fun, the four of us were perusing old books by Peter Norton: (1) A 1983 publication titled, Inside the IBM PC. (2) A 1989 publication titled, Peter Norton's Assembly Language Book for the IBM PC, and (3) software titled, Norton Systemwork's 2000.

Question? Is there really an air-breathing, live person, named Peter Norton. Has anyone actually seen Peter Norton? This may be a duh question, but it is a burning question tonight?

-- TruthSeeker (truthseeker@ seektruth.always), December 31, 1999

Answers

Of course not. Peter Norton Utilities were really created by Paul Mace.

Sheesh...

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), December 31, 1999.


lol!!! Yes!! When I lived in LA, I was invited over to Peter's house, also met his intelligent lovely wife, and had a great time.

For those with long memories, you'll remember that Peter started his career with a freeware program (before the term "freeware" was invented) and parlayed it into quite an industry.

It's fun to be able to say in this public forum that Peter is a truly nice man. Good, smart, nice guy...he well deserves all his success.

-- joe (joe@adeveloper.net), December 31, 1999.


Joe,

Thanks so much for your reply. I remember 1983 so clearly while reading his first book. It made quite an impression. I was particularly taken with the bio about the monastery. (I'm not a Catholic, but am a believer!)

Joe, why do we never see him. He is such a resource for we old programmers? He made the IBM PC live for many of us.

-- TruthSeeker (truthseeker@ seektruth.always), December 31, 1999.


truthseeker,

Well, Peter's a very calm, quiet, thoughtful man. No "ego" that I could see. Despite his picture splashed over the products (marketing..), he seemed (this was long ago, but still true, I'd guess) happy at home with his life, and not the type of guy who seeks or enjoys the limelight.

-- joe (joe@adeveloper.net), December 31, 1999.


Check out this site: (How about a Peter Norton instead)?

http://www.y2k.govt.nz/home/Navigationpage.htm

Ministry for Emergency Management

Utilities & Emergency Services Incident Monitoring For New Zealand Go to Navigation Map

OVERALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMENT

There have been no significant incidents (only one local incident was formally reported, and one other was advised - both were non-Y2K related). A number of the Regional Monitoring Centres are closing. The National Centre is continuing to monitor with a reduced staff and will revert to standby status if no further incidents are reported by 6pm today (1 January) with any incidents to be reported through the National Duty Officer.

It has been enormously positive that we have been able to monitor and report the favourable outcome of New Zealand's careful and co- ordinated preparations. Our website has recorded more than 4 million hits from around the world by 10am.

The structure and co-ordination of the monitoring arrangements provides a sound platform for the new framework for emergency management in New Zealand. The co-operation willingly provided by all participants is a key element of this successful outcome.

Thank you all for your participation - we wish everyone a happy continuing and safe celebration.

John Norton

Director

No further incidents recorded as at 10am

(Additional comment will be provided at 4pm 1 January)

-- jumpoff joe a.k.a. Al K. Lloyd (jumpoff@ekoweb.net), December 31, 1999.



Joe,

That's a plausible response. We'll let it drop there. I prefer to think there are still heroes out there. Norton is certainly one of ours.

Just one last thing. Peter, if for some strange reason you are reading this series of posts, it would be great for you to stand up and be counted. We seem to have a dearth of leadership in the computer industry today. Okay??!!

-- TruthSeeker (truthseeker@ seektruth.always), December 31, 1999.


Link for Short bio for Peter Norton bio

-- DeeEmBee (macbeth1@pacbell.net), January 01, 2000.

Sorry for the wording. It's late...

-- DeeEmBee (macbeth1@pacbell.net), January 01, 2000.

Of course, Peter Norton sold the rights to his name long ago, and hasn't been involved in any of the products bearing his name for nearly a decade, I think. So if he writes any more useful code and tries to sell it, he's not allowed to let on that he did it.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), January 01, 2000.

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