Filed under: Macworld, Cult of Mac, Other Events, Apple History
Mac founding-fathers appear at Welcome to Macintosh screening
This year at Macworld 2009, two documentary films about the Mac held screenings. While we didn't have anyone on-site at MacHEADS, a few of us were fortunate enough to attend Thursday night's screening of Welcome to Macintosh.
Welcome to Macintosh, a documentary by Josh Rizzo and Rob Baca, chronicles the history of Apple and the Mac, using interviews with the people and the users that were there. Tony Walla contributed a great piece about the film last April, which fills in more background.
While the film is amazing (the DVD is available now and it is chock-full of awesome), the discussion after the screening was truly magical. Five of the participants from the film, along with Very Special Guest, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, appeared on-stage and answered questions from the crowd. (See the Woz answer our own Mike Rose's question here)
Read on for more historic geekiness...Gallery: Welcome to Macintosh Screening
Check out the gallery, as it is truly historic, but here is a run-down of the participants:
- Andy Hertzfeld, member the original Macintosh Developer Team and one of the true "fathers" of the original Macintosh. Andy's website, Folklore.org spawned the terrific book, Revolution in the Valley.
- Guy Kawasaki, Apple Evangelist who worked for Apple in the 1980s and again in the 1990s (in the good and the bad). His latest project is Alltop, an "online magazine rack" of popular topics, including mac.alltop.com, an excellent repository of all things Mac.
- Ron Wayne, creator of the original Apple logo and the third co-founder of the original Apple Computer (before it was incorporated in 1977).
- Leander Kahney, author of The Cult of Mac and a managing editor for Wired
- Jim Reekes, twelve year Apple veteran who amongst other things, is responsible for the Mac Startup Sound. Jim is the true scene-stealer in Welcome to Macintosh
Want to see Welcome to Macintosh for yourself? Tomorrow January 12, 2009, The Digital Lifestyle will be streaming the film in its entirety at 9:30 PM ET. During the screening, filmmakers Rob Baca and Josh Rizzo will be participate in a live chat about the film and answer questions from viewers. If you haven't had a chance to see the film, tomorrow night is a great time. The DVD is available now and the directors are in talks to get the film available through iTunes, Netflix and other retail channels.
Gallery: Welcome to Macintosh Screening
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Adrian Eden said 7:26PM on 1-11-2009
Its nice when the OG's have time to get together. Nice post.
Reply
Michael Rose said 9:46PM on 1-11-2009
We're going to be talking about this on the talkcast in a few minutes. It was deeply surreal.
Reply
Louis Sansano said 10:39PM on 1-11-2009
Welcome to Macintosh was awesome and Jim Reekes seems like such an awesome guy after watching it. One of the best used c-chords of all time
Reply
Ryan said 12:24AM on 1-12-2009
For those who didn't get to see it at Macworld, there will be a one-time online screening Monday (today) at 9:30 PM ET at TheDigitalLifestyle.tv
Reply
tnkgrl said 3:26AM on 1-12-2009
Here are my videos: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/macworld-wrap-up/
Reply
Jash Sayani said 7:44AM on 1-12-2009
Interesting.... When will it start shipping??
Something I am looking forward to watching.....
Reply
Christina Warren said 10:11AM on 1-12-2009
It is shipping now! I was moving so I didn't get to watch it before Macworld, but my fiancee shipped it to my hotel and I watched the DVD Tuesday (two days before the screening). The DVD rocks and they even include a DRM-free version for your iPod or iPhone.
Jash Sayani said 11:21AM on 1-12-2009
Thanks Christina. Will check it out....
Roger said 8:18AM on 1-12-2009
Youtube saying that video is no longer available...
Reply
Bura said 8:50AM on 1-12-2009
Why is there not an Out Cry for Apple to Allow there software on PCs. It's long overdue. Apples hardware is extremely overprice. Let the public speak up. It's time for apple to get with it.
Reply
Jonathan Wise said 9:02AM on 1-12-2009
Is it me, or is Woz just about the nicest guy ever?
Reply
JeffTheGeek said 10:57AM on 1-12-2009
I am gonna have to take a look at this film. As a convert I am always interested in all things Apple.
Bura,
There is no outcry for Mac software on a PC because PC's suck. The whole reason Apple software is so superior to PC's is because they control the hardware. With Windoze they have to build software that allows for pretty much limitless combination of hardware, Apple doesn't have to worry about that, they build MacOS to work with their hardware. You want MacOSX on a PC, it can be done, but prepare to hack it to death and don't be surprised if some hardware just doesn't work.
Reply
PFar said 12:37PM on 1-12-2009
I can't wait to see this! I do wish this was available in iTunes, however. I cringe at the thought of purchasing a physical DVD.
Anyone know if they have plans on selling via digital download any time soon?
Tony said 12:45PM on 1-12-2009
I pre-ordered the film and watched it on Jan 2nd. Here's a nice review by Rob Griffiths at Macworld: http://www.macworld.com/article/137927/2009/01/wtmoverview.html?lsrc=rss_main
The filmmakers do a good job of covering the early days of the Mac (as well as a brief history of Apple itself) but gloss over or omit some things while spending too much time on other things. The interviews are the best, though, and luckily they're the meat of the movie. Well worth watching for that alone, and the DVD has the full interviews.
Reply
ricar said 3:24PM on 1-12-2009
Where is the real founding father Jeff Raskins ?
Reply
Johnny said 3:21PM on 1-12-2009
He passed back in 2005.
PFar said 4:59PM on 1-12-2009
Yes Bura, PCs do indeed suck.
Did you not get the memo?
All others, sorry for the off-topic flame, I could not resist.
Reply
Sylf said 10:48AM on 1-17-2009
@ JeffTheGeek
Linux works with just about any hardware too, but doesn't face the same problems as Windows. It's just poor engineering and design on the part of MS.
Reply