Who is Bil Herd?

[Andrew Sutton]

And how did he create the last computer with a "personality"? Any PC or Apple today is generic. The Commodore had a life of it's own. I read the "On the Edge" book, but I'm still intrigued how Mr. Herd found his way into the world of Commodore. Perhaps he needs to write an autobiography, I'm sure alot of Commodore enthusiasts would find it a good read. I would like to know more about his path from high school dropout, to the man behind one of the most advanced 8 bit computers of all time.

[RobertB]

I would like to know more about his path from high school dropout, to the man behind one of the most advanced 8 bit computers of all time.

The Retrobits podcast of a few months ago had quite a multi-part interview with him.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[Blacklord]

And how did he create the last computer with a "personality"? Any PC or Apple today is generic. The Commodore had a life of it's own. I read the "On the Edge" book, but I'm still intrigued how Mr. Herd found his way into the world of Commodore. Perhaps he needs to write an autobiography, I'm sure alot of Commodore enthusiasts would find it a good read. I would like to know more about his path from high school dropout, to the man behind one of the most advanced 8 bit computers of all time.

You could also ask him directly, he visits here about once a month.


cheers,

Lance

[Ian Colquhoun]

A link might help. Try starting here: Show 100: An Interview with Bil Herd, former Commodore Engineer (Part I)

[RobertB]

http://www.commodore.ca/gallery/video/video.html

and then click on Bil Herd.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[RobertB]

http://www.commodore.ca/gallery/video/video.html

and then click on Bil Herd.

Oops, I forgot the other Bil interview at

http://www.tllts.org/dl.php

and select show #209-09/12/2007

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[BilHerd]

I get that "who is" question from my wife from time to time, like when I leave my socks on the table (even if they are clean).

It was a wild time that I will always remember, I have never ever seen a group since with the commitment and passion that we felt in summer of '84.  I almost feel like asking some of the younger engineers that have worked for me why they can't be more out of control - but in a good way.

The 128 was very personal for us, as long as we kept the project moving faster than management interdiction we were able to control the things we thought were important. It took me a couple of years after leaving CBM to realize that most companies couldn't just drop a few million systems on the market, we definitely were somewhat spoiled by having the company that Jack built as a resource.

I had always picked on the IBM PC as being designed using the opposite process... "design by committee" we called it and it resulted in machines with 200 chips that weighed 48 pounds.  As luck would have it I met William Lowe of IBM at the Commodore C64 anniversary. He was funny, self effacing on behalf of IBM itself, and the only guy wearing a tie in the whole event as he correctly pointed out.  I mentioned my theory to him directly and I must say he was very gracious and tolerant, he didn't deny  my theory and we had a chuckle or two about management.  I learned that night that the IBM PC did have a personality  after all, it's just that it wore a tie instead of long hair tied back with a military bandanna.

We were the luckiest guys in the world, we were in the right place and made ourselves the opportunity to put together a computer system however we wanted (almost) as long as it was done by CES and actually worked when they went to ship it.

Take care,

Bil

[RobertB]

...we definitely were somewhat spoiled by having the company that Jack built as a resource.

Bil, you heard about the new edition of Brian Bagnall's book, this time with an interview with Jack?  It's coming out in October.

          At the Amigaclub.be meeting in a few hours,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          CommVEx v4 website - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

P.S. How goes the CBM Animals video for this year?

[BilHerd]

ah crap, does that mean my copy signed by Jack and everyone is obsolete? 

Actually that sounds very cool, I wasn't aware that he got the interview, though I knew that Jack had said maybe.

Bil

[RobertB]

P.S. How goes the CBM Animals video for this year?

If it all comes together, Bil is planning a special event within CommVEx v4 this year.

          Crossing my fingers,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          CommVEx v4 website - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex