TRACE Archive

TRACE Archive

The Toronto Region Association of Computer Enthusiasts (TRACE) Archive documents the activities of one of the earliest and most influential Canadian microcomputer hobby clubs.

The microcomputer hobby movement in Canada had begun soon after the first computer clubs and groups were formed in the U.S. It was a part of the global North American computer hobby activities, going through similar phases of the microcomputing's development while retaining its separate regional character. TRACE was formed on January 23, 1976 by employees of the Canadian Development Division of Control Data Corporation located in Mississauga, Ontario. In the following months the membership was growing rapidly crossing the one hundred member mark by the end of 1976. The club played a significant role on the Canadian computer hobbyists' scene contributing to the development and popularization of personal computing. Several TRACE members became prominent entrepreneurs and promoters of personal computing. Throughout its decade-long existence, the club published the TRACE Newsletter, was a member of Midwest Affiliation of Computer Clubs (MACC), and organized and participated in popular events such as MACC's Computerfests (in 1983, the Computerfest took place in Toronto and was organized by TRACE).

TRACE NEWSLETTER

• TRACE Newsletter; holdings: no. 1, March 15, 1976 to 68, March-April 1984; February 1985
• Gifford Toole, TRACE it is (manuscript, 1976), published in TRACE Newsletter, no. 3, pp. 1 and 4 (1976).
• Harold Melanson, Altair add-on power supply (manuscript, 1976), published in TRACE Newsletter, no. 6, pp. 3--4 (1976).
• Phil Olynyk, Impressions of Atlantic City and the Personal Computing Convention'76 (manuscript, 1976), published in TRACE Newsletter, no. 7, p. 6 (1976).
• Dave Baird, An Open Letter to Trace (manuscript, 1976), published in TRACE Newsletter, no. 8 (1976), pp. 4-5.
• Bill Kindree, Highlights of the APL 76 Conference (manuscript, 1976), published in TRACE Newsletter, no. 9 (1976), pp. 1-2.
• Terry O'Brien, Build your own computer system or How I learned to love the bits (and pieces); (manuscript, 1976), published as How I learned to love the bits (and pieces) in TRACE Newsletter, no. 9 (1976), pp. 2-3.
• Phil Olynyk, Choosing a Micro Computer (manuscript, 1977), published in TRACE Newsletter, no. 12, p. 4 (1977).
• Stan Witkowski, Free Help (manuscript, April 15, 1977).
• Where can I get BASIC for the 8008, (manuscript, 1976?).

TRACE DOCUMENTS

• Minutes of the May 14, 1976 TRACE meeting.
• Minutes of the October 1, 1976 TRACE executive meeting.
• Minutes of the October 15, 1976 TRACE meeting.
• Minutes of the October 31, 1976 TRACE executive meeting.
• Topics of Interest survey (197?).
• TRACE membership list (197?).
• TRACE computer industry questionnaire 197? (possibly taken during the Personal Computing Convention'76); responses from: AID Microsystems, IL., Pioneer Standard (WA), Motorola SPD, National Multiplex Corp. (NJ), Hal Communications Corp. (IL), Texas Instruments (TX), Innovex Corp. (MA), Mini Micro Mart (NY).
• TRACE questionnaire and Newsletter subscription form (197?).
• An early TRACE questionnaire form (1976?).
• Letter to TRACE members from Ross Cooling, November 13, 1979.
• TRACE executive list, 197?
• Early list of TRACE members, 1976.
• Sketched maps of TRACE meeting locations, 197?
• Information on Bill Pettit's presentation of a MOD8 microcomputer boards, April 1976.

MIDWEST AFFILIATION OF COMPUTER CLUBS

• A letter from Gary Coleman, President of the Midwest Affiliation of Computer Clubs to TRACE, September 1982.
• Minutes of the December 1980(?) MACC meeting.
• Minutes of the January 17, 1981 MACC meeting.
• Minutes of the February 21, 1981 MACC meeting.
• List of MACC officers, trustees, and representatives (19??).
• Information on the MACC Computerfest in Cleveland, Ohio, June 11-13, 1976, for TRACE members.

COMPUTERFEST'83, TORONTO

• Computerfest'83 Poster, Toronto, July 8-10, 1983.
• Eight five photographs taken during the Computerfest'83 event in Toronto, July 8-10, 1983 (photographer unknown).

OTHER DOCUMENTS

• Letter from Gifford Toole, president of TRACE, to Walter Banks, 1 October 1976