![[IMAGE] John Dvorak](/en/images/bio/john_dvorak.jpg)
Author, Columnist, Editor
Joined the microcomputer revolution in 1976. Started a software company in 1978 specializing in developing and selling microcomputer software. By 1980 the part-time business was so successful that I had to quit my job and run the company, California Software, full-time. At the same time I began a newsletter called the Software Review. In 1982, because of my knowledge of computers and contacts within the microcomputer field combined with my writing skills I was approached by CW Communications to edit a growing new journal called InfoWorld. I took that position and held it for nearly two years when two book contracts required I concentrate my energies as a free-lance writer. In the interim I dissolved the software firm as in 1981 IBM entered into the marketplace and required new marketing directions which I was unable to implement at the time with increasing responsibilities as a full-time writer. I have been a full-time writer ever since. Currently, I am writing under contract for a number of magazine publishers and one newspaper.
Current columns
I currently write INSIDE TRACK for PC Magazine and the DVORAK column for PC Magazine as well as a weekly online column for PCmag.com. One-time columnist at Forbes Magazine and Forbes.com I now write a monthly column for Smart Business as well as Boardwatch Magazine and Computer Shopper. Other columns include ASK DVORAK for the Vancouver Sun, and "Letter From America for PC Magazine UK as well as a column for Info Exame (Brazil) which is also syndicated in Europe. I'm the former editor and former columnist at Infoworld.
My writings have also appeared in New York Times, Newsweek, Time-Life publications, International Herald-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Barrons, MicroScope, MacUser, PCWorld, Ahoy!, Microtimes, Computer Shopper, Computer Currents, High Tech Import/Export, PC Expert (Paris). DEBUG (Paris), Marketing Computers, Continental Magazine, Information Technology, Canadian Datasystems and elsewhere. Most of my writings have appeared internationally in publications such as Australian PC World, PC Magazine of Greece, PC Magazine Israel, MacUser England, etc. I was also a weekly on-the-air columnist for the COMPUTER CAFE in Los Angeles and a correspondent for Thames Television, London. I’ve been profiled in Business Week, The San Francisco Bay Guardian. Microtimes, the New York Times, Wired Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.
Media
Two years with C-Net TV (since their inception) as on-the-air reviewer and commentator. Then became the Trends Analyst for MSNBC THE SITE. Currently host of TechTV's Silicon Spin. Worked as on-the-air radio personality on KNBR (later syndicated) Dvorak on Computers Show. Five years as host of Software/Hardtalk and then host of REAL COMPUTING—a public radio show broadcast to 100 stations. Also hosted shows on KSFO and KGO radio in San Francisco. I was the featured guest on the national radio talk show, The Larry King Show five times, CNN, CNNfn, the Christian Science Monitor radio interview show, PBS’s All Things Considered, The Pat Bohannon Show, Entertainment Tonight, Voice of America, ABC Business Report, NBC Nghtly News and Overnight.
Books
In the early 1980’s coauthored HYPERGROWTH - The Rise and Fall of Osborne Computer Corp., and edited and authored with DELL Publishing four personal computer guides as part of Dell’s Dvorak’s Instant Expert Series. Other books include Dvorak’s Guide to PC Telecommunications, Dvorak’s Guide to DOS and PC Performance, Inside Track to the Mac and Dvorak’s Crash Course and PC Survival Guide—a book for beginners. Dvorak's Guide to PC Games, Dvorak’s Guide to OS/2 and Dvorak’s Guide to Connectivity. In addition I edited the 1992, 1993 and 1994, 1995 and 1996 PC Magazine PC Buyers Guide for ZD Press. In Jan. 1994 McGraw-Hill released Dvorak Predicts—an insiders View of the Computer Industry.
Speaking
Do approx. 16 important keynote-level speeches a year to top corporations and organizations. Represented by all leading speakers bureau including Washington Speakers Bureau , Harry Walker and Leading Authorities
OrganizationsI’m a founding member of the advisory board of the Software Entrepreneurs Forum and a past member of the Software Publishers Association. I’m continuing as a judge of the Discover Magazine Awards as well as the Corel International Computer Art competition.
Awards
I’ve won eight national awards from the Computer Press Association including Best Columnist and Best Column.. In 1992 began my own Award System to honor pioneers in Telecommunications. Received the Nick DeWolf Award at the Telleruide Tech Festival in 2001.
School
Graduate University of California, B.A. History with a chemistry minor. Worked as a chemist for Union Oil and Air Pollution Inspector for Bay Area Air Quality management.
Took Post Grad work at Cal to learn computer programming to take advantage of minicomputer at work. Immediately became interested in emerging microcomputer technology. That was in 1975.
Other
I have taught at Stanford’s Association for Continuing Education a summer TV course in "What’s New in Personal Computers" (1982 and 1983) hosted two Computerworld Special Reports—a video production for the MIS community; and started Special Reports—a video production for the MIS community; and started and popularized a column in Infoworld entitled INSIDE TRACK which is now published by Ziff-Davis Publishing in PC Magazine.