Software and Documentation Library
As part of preserving the history of Heathkit computers, it is critical to save the software and documentation. Many of the companies, that offered software products for the H8/H89, have gone out-of-business and/or no longer have copies of the software that they sold. As I acquire any of these software titles, I will try to place disk images and scanned copies of the manuals on this site.
Copyright Issues
Although, these software titles were created 30-35 years ago, they are still copyrighted and will remain copyrighted for a long time. When Copyrights were first made into law, the duration was 14 years, plus authors could renew the copyright for another 14 years. This meant that authors had exclusive rights to their creation for up to 28 years. After that, the title would become public domain, and anyone could do anything with it. But due to intense lobbying by Disney, every time their "Steamboat Willie" cartoon with Micky Mouse was about to become public domain, copyright durations were EXTENDED 20 years RETROACTIVELY. Now, copyrights are effectively limitless. They continue to be extended, retroactively. Copyright now lasts for the life of the author PLUS 70 years for individuals and 95 years for corporations. These software titles are no longer available for purchase, and yet won't become public domain for another 60-70 years (and that is assuming no additional extensions). The software released in 1985 (tail end of the 8-bit software) will still be under copyright restrictions until 2080, and when congress extends it again (like they always do when Disney's Mickey Mouse video comes close to entering public domain), this material will likely NEVER become Public Domain.
I am/have been trying to make contact with these companies to get permission to post them. I have reached a few of the companies, but most have been unreachable. When/If I get permission, I will post disk images and manuals. Also, if it's appears that the company is no longer available to give permission, I may post the disk images and manuals. If you are viewing this page and own the copyright to old software that ran on the Heathkit H89, please contact me (see email at the bottom of this page or you can find contact information in the DNS record for this domain - garlanger.com). I will honor all requests for removal of content from the copyright owner.
If I can not locate a company or the people associated with the company, I may follow the procedure used by the 'Abandonware Ring'. Any software, listed without the copyright's owner's permission should be used, strictly for historical/educational purposes. For more information about abandoware see the Abandonware Ring FAQ.
Software Companies
Here is a list of some of the software companies, that I have material that I'd like to post. As I have time, additional pages and information will be posted.
- Apogee
- Bob James
- Borland
- Digital Research
- Evryware
- Heath Company
- Hoyle and Hoyle
- HUG
- Husker Systems
- Infocom
- JD Hill
- JRT
- Keyboard Studio
- Kres
- Lindley Software
- Livingston Logic Labs
- Magnolia Microsystems
- M-Cubed
- MPI
- Newline Software
- SoftShop
- Software Wizardy
- Stuart Software
- Sunflower Software
- The Software Toolworks
- Ultimeth
- XtraSoft
