Q&A (software)

Q&A was a database and word processing software program for IBM PC-compatible computers published by Symantec and partners from 1985 to 1998. It was written by a team headed by Symantec founder Dr. Gary Hendrix, Denis Coleman, and Gordon Eubanks.

Released by Symantec in 1985 for MS-DOS computers, Q&A's flat-file database and integrated word processing application is cited as a significant step towards making computers less intimidating and more user friendly. Among its features was a natural language search function based on a 600 word internal vocabulary.

Q&A Software was originally a natural language research project, involving a group of former SRI International researchers led by Dr. Earl Sacerdoti and Dr. Gary Hendrix, funded first by the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research Program, and later by venture capital investors including Kleiner Perkins, Q&A evolved into both a useful business productivity tool and the foundation of Symantec. The now-famous professional poker player Barry Greenstein worked on the Q&A word processor during his employment at Symantec.

Dr. Hendrix mused that only time would tell whether Q&A's integrated natural language ability would be merely a passing fad or perceived as a valuable feature.

The product gained popularity and generated nearly $1.4 million in 1985.