# Video Data Editor

> freeware DOS word processing program

**Wikidata**: [Q121601197](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121601197)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/video-data-editor

## Summary
Video Data Editor (VDE) is a text editor and word processing program designed for the DOS operating system, first published in 1987 by Eric Meyer. Initially released as freeware, the software transitioned to a shareware model in 1988 before returning to freeware status in 2002. It is notably compatible with the HP 95LX palmtop computer.

## Key Facts
*   **Full Name:** Video Data Editor (also known as VDE or VDE editor).
*   **Initial Release Date:** 1987.
*   **Developer:** Eric Meyer.
*   **Software Class:** Text editor and word processing program.
*   **Operating Platforms:** DOS and HP 95LX.
*   **Current License Status:** Freeware (as of 2002).
*   **Version History:** Includes version 1.97.
*   **License History:** Freeware (1987–1988); Shareware (1988–2002); Freeware (2002–present).
*   **Availability:** The software is copyrighted but available for download via the Internet Archive (identifier: `vde-197`).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Video Data Editor (VDE)?
A: Video Data Editor (VDE) is a word processing program and text editor created for the DOS platform. It was developed by Eric Meyer and is designed to run on standard DOS computers as well as the HP 95LX palmtop.

### Q: Is VDE free to use?
A: Yes, VDE is currently freeware. While it was distributed as shareware between 1988 and 2002, it returned to freeware status in 2002 and remains so today.

### Q: What hardware is compatible with VDE?
A: VDE runs on DOS systems and is specifically verified to run on the HP 95LX, a portable palmtop computer released in the United States.

## Why It Matters
Video Data Editor (VDE) serves as a significant example of utility software tailored for the resource-constrained environments of late 1980s and early 1990s computing. Its specific compatibility with the HP 95LX highlights its role in the early ecosystem of mobile computing, where efficient text processing was essential for professionals using palmtop devices.

The software is also notable for its evolving distribution model. Its history reflects the shifting economics of software development during the rise of the personal computer; it began as a free tool, utilized the shareware model for fourteen years to support development, and eventually returned to freeware. This longevity and the continued availability of its archives (specifically version 1.97) make it a relevant subject for the preservation of digital history and the study of early software licensing practices.

## Notable For
*   **Palmtop Compatibility:** It is explicitly compatible with the HP 95LX, distinguishing it from generic DOS editors that may not have supported the specific constraints of early palmtop hardware.
*   **Licensing Evolution:** The software underwent a distinct three-phase licensing history (Freeware → Shareware → Freeware) spanning from 1987 to the present.
*   **Longevity:** Maintained or referenced across multiple decades, with specific documentation appearing in *The HP Palmtop Paper* as late as 1992.
*   **Archival Presence:** The software has a specific identifier in the Internet Archive (`vde-197`), ensuring its preservation.

## Body
### Development and Authorship
Video Data Editor was created by Eric Meyer and published in 1987. It functions as a non-tangible executable component of a computer, classified specifically as a text editor and word processing software.

### Licensing History
The distribution rights for VDE have changed over time, though the software has always remained copyrighted.
*   **1987–1988:** Originally released as freeware.
*   **1988–2002:** Transitioned to a shareware model.
*   **2002–Present:** Returned to freeware status.

### Platform and Environment
VDE is designed to run on the DOS operating system. A significant technical requirement noted in its history is its compatibility with the **HP 95LX**, a palmtop computer manufactured in the United States. This compatibility was confirmed by sources such as *The HP Palmtop Paper* (Jan/Feb 1992 issue).

### Version History and Availability
The software has reached at least version **1.97**. It is described as a "freeware DOS word processing program" in Wikidata. Users can access the software via its work URL or through the Internet Archive at `https://archive.org/details/vde-197`. The official site (`sites.google.com/site/vdeeditor`) notes potential link rot but provides an archive backup from October 2022.

## References

1. [About VDE - VDE Editor. 2022](https://web.archive.org/web/20220913084331/https://sites.google.com/site/vdeeditor/Home/about-vde)
2. [COLUMN: Looking Glass](https://www.palmtoppaper.com/ptphtml/1/ptp10045.htm)