Alan C. Ashton, cofounder of WordPerfect.speaks about the development of that software on October 5, 1994

Greg Thompson welcomes the audience and introduces the topic of the lecture series, technology and the quality of life. Arthur K. Smith introduces the speaker, Alan Ashton, cofounder of WordPerfect. Ashton speaks about the success of WordPerfect, beginning with two ideas for computer research projects that he pitched to his professors as a student. The first one accepted was a computer music program that he developed as a graduate. He screens a demonstration of how it worked. Nine years later he finally began development of his second idea, WordPerfect, with a group of graduate students while teaching at BYU. Ashton describes the process of trial and error they underwent and the competition they faced from other companies. Finally, he explains his purpose for creating WordPerfect, gives examples of how it has been beneficial, and argues against the idea that it generates laziness. The lecture concludes with questions from the audience. Speakers: Alan C. Ashton; introduction by Greg Thompson (Assistant director of special collections for the Marriott Library), Roger K. Hansen (Director of Libraries at the University of Utah), Arthur K. Smith (president of the University of Utah)