X-Nico

2 unusual facts about Spinnaker Software


Spinnaker Software

The first new product line was a collaboration with toy manufacturer Fisher-Price.

Among the Spinnaker Software titles of 1983 were three programs designed and programmed by Interactive Picture Systems: Trains, Aerobics, and Grandma's House for Apple II, Atari 800 and Commodore 64 systems.


Data Access Language

Apple gave a series of demos of HyperCard/DAL, and soon Oracle Corporation purchased a HyperCard-clone, PLUS from Spinnaker Software, to produce Oracle Card.

Data Access Manager

The system was so impressive that it made other database vendors scramble to provide similar systems; Oracle Corporation immediately purchased PLUS from Spinnaker Software, releasing it first as Oracle Card, and then Oracle Media Objects.

Kevin O'Leary

By 1994, Softkey had become a major consolidator in the educational software market, acquiring no less than 60 rivals, such as WordStar and Spinnaker Software.


see also

Interactive Picture Systems

The products created by the company included Movie Maker for ATARI, Trains, Grandma's House, and Aerobics for Spinnaker Software for the Atari 800, C64 and Apple II platforms.