Myst

Brothers Rand and Robyn Miller lead a team of nine through the development of the computer game "Myst" in 1993. Working out of a converted garage in Spokane, Washington, the team crafts the spectacular abstract CD-ROM adventure that defies the logic of conventional gaming. Myst becomes one of the most important and influential games in the history of digital entertainment.
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Michelangelo virus

The Michelangelo virus is the first computer virus to capture the attention of the mass media. Set to execute on March 6, 1992, the virus is predicted to destroy data on all personal computers where it resides. The hype leads to many installations of anti-virus software and computer checks. All told, less than 10,000 PCs worldwide are affected as a result of Michelangelo.
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Pentium

Intel brings the PC to a new level with the release of its Pentium processor in 1993. Pentium runs at an astounding 60 Mhz, has 3.3 million transistors, and performs 100 million instructions per second. Intel prices the chip at $878 and makes the strategic decision to maintain backward compatibility with previous x86 designs. The Pentium becomes synonymous with "PC."
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Largest computer error

The largest reported computer error occurs at First National Bank of Chicago in spring of 1996. More than 800 bank account holders receive checking balances that increase by hundreds of millions of dollars. One customer is told by an automated voice that his checking balance is $924,844,208.32. The First National Bank error is attributed to a "computer glitch."
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ODBC

The Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) standard is released by the SQL Access Group in 1992. The goal of ODBC is to make it possible to access any data from any software application, regardless of which database management system is handling the data. Looking to capitalize on this, Microsoft partners with Simba Technologies and delivers ODBC to over 30 million desktops, making it a desktop staple.
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Tivo

In 1997, Mike Ramsay and Jim Barton develop their new interactive entertainment network device they call Tivo. Their vision is to record television shows and possibly share photos, music and more. The first Tivo digital video recorders are shipped in March 1999. The DVR allows up to 40 hours of programming, pausing live TV, instant replay, and skipping of advertisements.
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Phishing

"Phishing" scams emerge n the early 2000s as ecommerce grows. The scams attempt to acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as an apparent trustworthy email, instant message, or web page. The scams become so pervasive that U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy introduces the Anti-Phishing Act of 2005 on March 1, 2005.
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