Gary Kildall, President/Founder of Digital Research, Inc. 1995 SPA Lifetime
Achievement Award Winner

March 13, 1995 (San Diego, CA) -- The Software Publishers Association
honored Gary Kildall today for his vision and dedication to the software
industry throughout his professional life. During the SPA's Tenth Annual
Excellence in Software Awards (The Codies) Luncheon, Kildall was
posthumously recognized with the Software Publishers Association's (SPA)
Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to an individual who
during his or her lifetime made outstanding contributions to the computer
software industry. Past winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award include
Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Alan Kay, Steve Wozniak, Rear Admiral Grace
Hopper, Dr. Seymour Papert, and Scott Cook. Members of the SPA nominated
and selected the distinguished recipient of this award.

Kildall was a microcomputer-industry visionary. He conceived the products
and debugged the code that has helped the microcomputer industry reach its
full potential. Above all, Kildall shared his experience and enthusiasm
for computers with others and wanted to make this technology available to
everyone.

Kildall founded Digital Research, Inc. (DRI) in 1976, which is now part of
Novell. Years ahead of its competitors, DRI introduced operating systems
with windowing capability, pre-emptive multi-tasking, and menu-driven user
interfaces. DRI also created the first diskette track buffering schemes,
read-ahead algorithms, file directory caches, and RAM disk emulators. In
the 1980's, DRI introduced a binary recompiler.

Kildall defined the first programming language and developed the first
compiler specifically for microprocessors. PL/M is still widely used for
developing dedicated microprocessor-based control applications. Kildall
also created the first microprocessor operating system, CP/M, which
eventually sold a quarter-million copies, becoming one of the
highest-selling operating systems in its time.

Kildall developed an early arcade game and the first computer-controlled
interface for video disks to allow automatic non-linear playback - the
forerunner of today's interactive multimedia. He eventually developed the
file system and data structures needed for the world's first consumer
CD-ROM, an electronic encyclopedia.

Kildall's biggest contribution to the software industry was the first
successful open-system architecture. Kildall isolated the system-specific
hardware interfaces of his operating system within a set of "basic I/O
system" routines, so applications code would be fully machine independent.
This idea helped create the third-party software industry.

"Gary was a trailblazer for the computer industry. Every computer user out
there owes him a thank-you for the components he developed," said the SPA
Executive Director, Ken Wasch. "Gary Kildall's accomplishments in
technology greatly enhance the software industry even today and will not
be forgotten."

Kildall died on July 11, 1994 at the age of 52 in Monterey, CA. He is
survived by his mother, a sister, and two children, Scott and Kristy, who
were present in San Diego to accept the 1995 SPA Lifetime Achievement
Award on behalf of their father.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of
the PC software industry. Its 1,150 members represent the leading
publishers in the business, consumer, and education markets. The SPA has
offices in Washington, DC, and Paris, France. SPA press releases are
available through CompuServe. (GO:SPAForum).

Software Publishers Association
1730 M St, Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036
202-452-1600,  Fax: 202-223-8756

 ============================================================
 From the  'New Product News'  Electronic News Service on....
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) & Delphi (GO COMPUTING PRODUCT)
 ============================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the 
 company or author mentioned. For additional details, please 
 contact them directly at the address/phone number indicated.
 All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
 ============================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  U.S.A.
 Email: RBakerPC (AOL/Delphi), rbakerpc@delphi.com (Internet)
 ============================================================
