Information Unlimited Software

Information Unlimited Software
Address	146 N. Broad Street Griffith, IN 46319
Country	United States of America
Founded	1977
Defunct	1983
Acquired by	Computer Associates

History

Founding of Information Unlimited Software

Information Unlimited Software (IUS) was founded by William "Bill" Baker, a 21-year-old business student in Indianapolis, Indiana. Initially, IUS was little more than an official-looking letterhead that Baker used to secure discounts on microcomputer hardware, reflecting his hobbyist interest in the emerging personal computer scene. A former ham radio operator, Baker was more fascinated by the communication potential of technology than its technical intricacies. In his senior year of college, he encountered a kit-built computer— a wire-wrapped collection of circuit boards— and became hooked on the idea of affordable, personal computing. Selling his ham radio station, he purchased a Polymorphic 88 computer kit in late 1976, a bright orange box with minimal controls, marking his entry into the world of microcomputers.

Through a local computer club in Indianapolis, Baker became the first customer of the city’s inaugural computer store, connecting with like-minded enthusiasts. In 1977, while attending a computer seminar in New Jersey— his first airplane trip, funded as a college graduation gift— he met Lyall Morill, an MIT graduate and hobbyist programmer. Morill had developed Whatsit?, a primitive database management system for hobbyist computers like the Poly 88, capable of functioning as an electronic telephone book. Recognizing its potential, Baker negotiated a deal to sell Whatsit?, with Morill receiving royalties for each copy sold. Baker named his venture "Information Unlimited" after a conversation with his father, who noted the program’s capacity to store limitless data with additional tapes or floppy disks. By Christmas Eve 1977, Morill had refined Whatsit? for platforms like the Northstar and Sol, and Baker arranged for its manual to be printed, setting the stage for IUS’s first commercial venture.

Breakthrough at the West Coast Computer Faire

In spring 1978, Baker attended the second West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco, one of only two software publishers present alongside Structured Systems Group. With his “salesman hat” on, he sold over $25,000 worth of Whatsit? copies, a staggering success that transformed IUS from a hobbyist endeavor into a viable business. This achievement convinced Baker that software publishing could be a lucrative venture, prompting him to seek additional products to expand IUS’s portfolio.

Partnership with John Draper and EasyWriter

In 1979, at the third West Coast Computer Faire, Baker met John Draper, a notorious phone phreak known as “Captain Crunch,” and his partner Matthew McIntosh. Draper, recently released from a work-furlough program following a wire-fraud sentence, had developed EasyWriter, a pioneering word processor for the Apple II. Despite needing refinements, EasyWriter impressed Baker with its user-friendly interface for text editing and formatting, a novel concept in the era of typewriters. Baker offered Draper and McIntosh an advance to publish EasyWriter through IUS, providing Draper with funds for living expenses and a printer. While Draper finalized the program in California, Baker, still hedging his bets, took a banking job in Indianapolis before relocating to San Francisco, where IUS established its base.

EasyWriter, released in 1979, became IUS’s flagship product and one of the first word processors for the Apple II. Written in FORTH by Draper during his nights in Alameda County Jail, it gained praise from BYTE magazine in 1981 for its interface and features, though it faced criticism for performance limitations. Its success marked IUS as a key player in the early software publishing industry, competing with companies like Personal Software (publishers of VisiCalc).

IBM PC Deal and EasyWriter’s Evolution

In 1981, IUS’s trajectory changed dramatically when IBM approached Baker for a secret project—later revealed as the IBM PC. In clandestine negotiations at a Berkeley Marina hotel, Baker, accompanied by his friend and lawyer Dan Remer, secured a royalty deal to adapt EasyWriter for the IBM PC as a launch title. Remer, a typesetter with a law degree who had worked with Baker on EasyMailer (a mail-merge program for EasyWriter), navigated IBM’s stringent nondisclosure agreements. Despite proposing a $5 million outright sale, Baker and Remer settled on a royalty arrangement, anticipating massive sales. Draper, working with programmer Larry Weiss, converted EasyWriter for the IBM PC under tight deadlines, using a prototype machine with no identifying marks.

Launched in August 1981, EasyWriter 1.0 for the IBM PC was plagued by bugs and slow performance, earning poor reviews and the infamous “I Survived EasyWriter” T-shirts Baker sent to IBM (which were returned due to IBM’s gift policy). IUS quickly released EasyWriter 1.10, addressing most issues and earning praise for its improved usability. In 1982, IUS introduced EasyWriter II, developed by Basic Software Group in C to leverage the IBM PC’s hardware, adding features like a spell checker and mail-merge. However, its poor initial reception hindered its competitiveness against rivals like WordStar and Volkswriter.

Expanded Software Portfolio

IUS expanded its offerings with business applications for the Apple II and IBM PC, including EasyPlanner (a spreadsheet-like program), EasySpeller, EasyFiler, IUS General Ledger, IUS Accounts Receivable, and IUS Accounts Payable. These tools targeted small businesses and home users, emphasizing accessibility and ease of use. By 1983, IUS was ranked 16th by Publishers Weekly among software publishers, tied with companies like Epyx and Spinnaker, with estimated sales of $10 million, driven by EasyWriter’s success and the growing demand for business software.

Acquisition by Computer Associates

In 1983, Computer Associates, a mainframe-oriented company, approached Baker to acquire IUS. With the IBM deal providing substantial operating capital, Baker retained primary ownership, avoiding reliance on venture capitalists. The acquisition, valued at over $10 million depending on future product sales, made Baker a multimillionaire at 27. He stayed on with Computer Associates, overseeing new product acquisitions and earning a significant salary and stock options, but left soon after, finding employment less fulfilling than entrepreneurship.

Information Unlimited Software

Contents

History

Founding of Information Unlimited Software

Breakthrough at the West Coast Computer Faire

Partnership with John Draper and EasyWriter

IBM PC Deal and EasyWriter’s Evolution

Expanded Software Portfolio

Acquisition by Computer Associates

Logos

People

Titles

Links