Scott, a software engineer, is Gary Kildall's son. He can be reached
at [email protected].
One of DDJ's 1996 recipients of its Excellence in Programming
Award was the late Gary Kildall, who among his many contributions,
wrote CP/M, the first operating system for personal computers. His
son, Scott, accepted the award for him at Software Development 1997
conference, and gave the following speech on his father's behalf.
I would like to thank Dr. Dobb's Journal for bestowing this
honor upon my father. This award means a great deal to me and and know
it would have meant a great deal to Gary as well.
Most people remember Gary for his technological achievements
such as ground-breaking compiler research, pioneering work on CD-ROMs
and of course, the first standard personal computer operating system,
CP/M. However, what I admired in Gary, even more than his products,
was his devotion to creating tools to help the world.
A perfect example of this dedication was a product called
"Dr. Logo", an intuitive, non-abstract computer language geared
towards teaching kids to learn how to program. Gary devoted so many
hours to this project, not because he hoped it would be a big money
maker, but because he believed in the mission of the product
itself. Had it been widely distributed, Dr. Logo would have taught an
entire generation of children to use computers as learning tools, not
merely as game-playing machines. In the case of Dr. Logo and in fact
with all of his creations, Gary consistently proved himself more
inventor than businessman.
I remember many an afternoon spent at Digital Research when I
was growing up. Though the business was fast-paced, even hectic at
times, I never once saw Gary lose his temper. He always listened to
his co-workers and treated them fairly because he valued both them and
their opinions. Gary was unusual in that his business was guided by
the same principles which governed his life.
Like other great inventors before him, Gary was greatly
disappointed when he discovered that innovation clashes with the the
business world. He learned the hard way that even in such a young
industry, it is cutthroat business practices and not great products
which guarantee success. It was simply not in Gary's nature to hoarde
knowledge, to buy out his competition, or to take credit for work that
was not his.
My father was devastated when he discovered that the computer
industry was just as ruthless as any other. Referring to the demise
of Dr. Logo in the mid-80s, he wrote in his personal memoirs, "It was
then that I learned that computers were built to make money, not
minds."
These words haunt me as they should haunt you. As providers of
cutting edge software, we determine the quality of the product as well
as who can afford it. It is our responsibility to keep alive the
integrity and pioneering spirit which created this industry. We must
remember, as Gary always did, that we have the power to expand minds
not simply profits.
These op/eds do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the author's
employer or of Dr. Dobb's Journal. If you have comments, questions,
or would like to contribute your own opinions, please contact us at
[email protected].
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July 01, 1997
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