Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

If you're unaware, this is the origin story for the EFF.



For those who are unaware, the money made from Lotus 1-2-3 (which was game changing spreadsheet software of the early 1980s) eventually went on to found the EFF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_Kapor


I mean, yeah kind of. But I don't think that's entirely accurate. Wikipedia says "Initial funding was provided by Kapor, Wozniak, and an anonymous benefactor."

It's not like he funneled his Lotus gains into the EFF. A foundation is also a money raising endeavor and there were likely many people who contributed a great deal in their early years (and now).

Your statement could just as easily be applied to Wozniak, as in "the money made from Apple (a game changing computer company) eventually went on the found the EFF". It's a fun fact, but not all that accurate.


Kapor and Barlow founded the EFF... I was not aware of Wozniak being involved around the time of operation sundevil in 1990/1991:

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/civilizing-cyb...


Yeah I wasn't aware of it either before.


I remember reading that the Secret Service was investigating an Austin game company because they were one of the first companies to buy CD duplicating equipment so were suspected of piracy by the Secret Service. For some reason I remember that as being Origin Systems but it may have actually been Steve Jackson Games.


Yeah, the article discusses this.


It was for people who decide whether to read the article based on the comments.


I was unaware. This is completely insane.




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: