History of ChemTrak and ChemTrak OnlineChemTrak was first created in the Fall of 1989, for DOS operating systems. This was in response to new federal requirements to maintain records of pesticide applications, and the additional requirement in some states for periodic reporting.
The final release in the DOS series was ChemTrak Version 4.31, in June 1995. This venerable program was solid enough that it is still widely used.
When ChemTrak Online ("CTO") was first announced in early 1997, the concept was right but it was a little too far ahead of the times. We knew that broad usage and acceptance of the Internet was still in the future, and even our university presentations at that time were considered more theoretical than real. We usually closed by asking our audiences to "remember where you heard it first."
Reality is now catching up. Computers are very affordable now, Internet browsers are far more advanced, Internet access is widespread, and Internet performance is faster and cheaper than ever. The concept of the Internet is firmly established and attention can now be focused on advanced programs like CTO that make good use of this tremendous medium.
We might also add that what we're able to produce today as web-based software only faintly resembles what was possible just a few short years ago. No traditional programming languages had the functionality needed to develop powerful online software applications. When those began to emerge in around 1996 we saw their potential immediately, and we have now worked through several generations of change and improvement to become seasoned veterans in the brave new world of online software development.
CTO went into use in 1998. Since changes and updates can be activated immediately for all subscribers, we no longer refer to specific version or release numbers.
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