Ed Zaron

Ed Zaron
Zaron, Ed
Ed Zaron
Occupation	Founder, Software Developer

Career

Ed Zaron began his career in the mid-1970s as a programmer at Commercial Credit Corporation, a subsidiary of Control Data Corporation, in Maryland. There, he developed software for evaluating credit scores using machine language on a CDC 3000 computer. During this time, Zaron met Silas Warner, a fellow programmer, and Jim Black, an accountant, forming a trio that turned into Muse Software.

Founding of Muse Software

In early 1978, Zaron purchased an Apple II computer, sparking his interest in personal computing. Inspired by this, he began collaborating with Warner and Black after work, programming games and software in his living room. Their early creations, including Zaron’s Tank War and Warner’s Maze Game and Escape, were recorded on cassette tapes and debuted at the Trenton Computer Festival in April 1978, where they attracted significant interest. This success prompted Zaron to incorporate Micro Users Software Exchange, Inc. (trading as Muse Software) on August 1, 1978, in Damascus, Maryland.

Muse Software: Growth and Contributions

Muse Software initially focused on developing games and software for the Apple II, later expanding to the Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, and IBM PC platforms. Zaron contributed significantly to the company’s portfolio, notably designing and programming Super-Text, one of the first full-featured word processors for the Apple II, including basic math functionality. Zaron's titles along with those from Silas Warner such as The Voice, pioneering voice emulation software for the Apple II, Castle Wolfenstein (1981) and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein (1984), contributed to notable early success. Castle Wolfenstein sold over 75,000 copies by 1983. The company also operated the Muse Software and Computer Center, a retail store in Baltimore. At its peak in 1983, Muse employed almost 40 people, including nine programmers, and generated over $6 million in annual revenue.

Challenges and Closure of Muse Software

Despite its success, Muse faced challenges due to a slump in the home computer software market and internal conflicts. By 1985, the company had downsized to six employees. Muse Software filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on October 7, 1987, and ceased operations. The Wolfenstein trademark was later acquired by id Software at a low cost, leading to the development of Wolfenstein 3D.

Post-Muse Career and Crystal Beach Software

After Muse’s closure, Zaron continued his career as a software pioneer. He founded Crystal Beach Software, where he currently serves as Creative Director and CEO. His work at Crystal Beach focuses on cloud-based computing solutions, notably developing MDIware (Multiple Document Interface for web-based applications). MDIware facilitates the migration of legacy client-server applications to the cloud without requiring extensive redesign or retraining, offering features like inter-window communication and support for modal, dialog, and always-on-top windows. Zaron’s innovations with MDIware aim to simplify web-based application development, maintaining his legacy of creating user-friendly software solutions.

Legacy

Ed Zaron is a notable industry pioneer, starting one of the earliest home computer commercial software publishers. Muse Software was a very recognizable publisher in the early 1980's, producing high-quality titles and professional packaging, keeping pace with peers such as Sierra On-Line, Broderbund, and Microprose. Similar to peers like Adventure International and Sirus Software, Muse Software succumbed to competition and the market shakeout of the mid-1980's.

List of major works

External links