Fifth Generation Systems Explained

Fifth Generation Systems, Inc.
Founded:	in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Location:	Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Industry:	Computers
Parent:	Symantec
Fate:	Acquired by Symantec

Fifth Generation Systems, Inc., was a computer security company founded October 1984 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States by Robert Mitchell, Leroy Mitchell, Roger Ivey, and Bruce Ray. All four later left the company after it was acquired by Barry Bellue^[1] who was accused by the founders of fraud and continued theft from company accounts for illegal personal use.^[2] Fifth Generation's initial commercial product was FastBack, an early competitor to The Norton Backup from Symantec.^[3]

Fifth Generation Systems software

• CopyDoubler (Mac) – system utility for speeding up file copies and managing file copy queues
• DiskDoubler (Mac) – on-the-fly hard drive compression software
• DiskLock (PC, Mac) – security software incorporating access control and encryption^[4]
• FastBack (PC, Mac) – hard disk backup utility
• PowerStation (Mac)^[5]
• Public Utilities (Mac) – software with disk optimization, repair, and data recovery functions, developed by Sentient Software^{[6] [7]}
• Pyro! (Mac) – screensaver that displayed fireworks among other user-selectable displays^[8]
• Search&Destroy (PC) – online and offline virus scanner for DOS and Windows, included in Novell DOS 7
• Suitcase (Mac) – font management utility^[9]
• Super Laser Spool and Super Spool (Mac) – print spoolers, acquired from Supermac Technology in 1990^[10]
• Direct Access – a menu system software for DOS.

The company was acquired by Symantec on October 4, 1993, for US$53.8 million.^[11]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Font . Penny . 2018-03-05 . News alert: Arrest warrants issued for Thinkstream’s Barry Bellue, Morris Alexander . 2023-12-27 . Baton Rouge Business Report . en-US.
2. Web site: Skene . Lea . 2018-03-05 . Ex-Baton Rouge software company CEO accused of using employees' 401(k) funds for personal expenses . 2023-12-27 . The Advocate . en.
3. Web site: Norton Backup 1.x . 2023-12-27 . WinWorld.
4. Web site: Data Guardians . . February 1993 . Schneier . Bruce . Bruce Schneier . 2016-08-15.
5. Book: LeVitus, Bob . Dr. Macintosh: Tips, Techniques and Advice on Mastering the Macintosh . Bob LeVitus . 1989 . Addison-Wesley Publishing Company (retrieved via Google Books) . 84 . 0201517337.
6. Public Utilities decreases data brownouts . . . Angus . Jeff . 77 . 1993-02-08 . 15 . 6 . 2017-09-08.
7. Web site: Emergency Recovery Tools: Raising Data from the Dead . . 1993-06-21 . Schneier . Bruce . 2017-09-08.
8. Web site: THE EXECUTIVE COMPUTER; How to Extend a Monitor's Life . Lewis, Peter H. . 1989-04-02 . . 2016-08-15.
9. . Extensis Rescuing Suitcase . 1999-02-08 . 2020-04-15 .
10. InfoWorld . SUPERMAC SELLS SPOOLER SOFTWARE . 34 . 1990-07-30 . 12 . 31 . 2016-11-26.
11. Web site: Symantec, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Feb 13, 1995 . secdatabase.com . May 14, 2018.