In August 1987, Apple announced HyperCard, a new type of middleware for the Macintosh that made it possible for anyone to create a polished application combining text, graphics, and hyperlinks. One of the first companies to embrace HyperCard was Activision, the well-known game publisher, which released Focal Point and Business Class, two business productivity tools created by Danny Goodman, who also authored the first definitive book on HyperCard.But why would a company known for games like Pitfall! on the Atari VCS and Ghostbusters on the Commodore 64 get into business software for the Macintosh? The answer to that question requires looking back at the early history of Activision and the company's struggles to stay afloat after the collapse of its original home video game cartridge business. Computer Chronicles Revisited 27 — Sargon III, Millionaire, and GhostbustersComputer Chronicles Revisited 29 — Locksmith, PC-Talk, and Frankie MouseComputer Chronicles Revisited 92 — HyperCard, Focal Point, and the National Gallery of Art LaserguideComputer Chronicles Revisited 99 — Shanghai, Tower of Myraglen, Earl Weaver Baseball, and Ferrari Formula OneComputer Chronicles Revisited 102 — Macworld Expo/San Francisco 1988Computer Chronicles Revisited 106 — PC-File+, Automenu, HotDIR, ProComm, Artisto+, and StuffItComputer Chronicles #205 — Software Piracy (1985)Computer Chronicles #501 — HyperCard (1987)Computer Chronicles #512 — MacWorld San Francisco 1988 (1988)Danny Goodman Video Computer Arts, Inc.: Business and Financial Plan (Jim Levy, 1979)Pitfall! (Activision/David Crane, 1982)Crime and Punishment (Imagic/Jack Kress, 1984)'The Manhole' (Jimmy Maher, The Digital Antiquarian, 2016)'Atari's Distribution Nightmare' (Alexander Smith & Jeffrey Daum, They Create Worlds, 2023)Podcast Music: 'Scenic Detour' by Melody Ayres-GriffithsDownload this podcast (MP3)

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