Forest Linton Papers

Overview

Scope and Contents

Subject Terms

Detailed Description

Professional Life: United States

Professional Life: Japan

Personal Papers



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Finding Aid for Forest Linton Papers | University of Illinois Archives

By Chloe Attrell

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Collection Overview

Title: Forest Linton Papers

ID: 26/20/273

Extent: 4.0 cubic feet

Date Acquired: 01/01/2025

Subjects: Advertising, Computer Software, Fraternity Alumni, Interfraternity Council, Sigma Phi Epsilon

Languages: English, Japanese

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Papers of Forest Linton (1968-2002; B.S. Advertising, 1993). Contains papers and materials concerning his business activities (Hobbico, Forlin Publishing and Greek Guide, Koyosha Graphics, and Microsoft Japan), his articles published in Excellence (1989), Computing Japan (1994-1998), and Internet User (1995-1996) magazines, scrapbooks assembled by his mother (Norma Linton; see the Norma J. Linton Papers, Record Series 26/20/279) which document Forest’s professional activities, as well as personal papers which include correspondence, photographs, journals from his childhood through his adulthood.

This collection is organized into three series. Series 1: Professional Life - U.S. contains 3 sub-series, all arranged alphabetically: 1. Early Career and Professional Activities, 2. Forlin Publishing: Administration, Business Activities, and Plans, and 3. Forlin Publishing: Greek Guide. Series 2: Professional Life - Japan contains 5 sub-series, all arranged alphabetically: 1. Japan Job Search and Business Notes, 2. Koyosha Graphics, 3. Microsoft Japan, 4. Forest’s Columns in Japanese Publications, and 5. Japanese Publications with Advertisements, Articles, and Interviews Featuring Forest. Series 3: Personal Papers is arranged chronologically.

Collection Historical Note

Born in 1968, Forest Linton was a local of Urbana, Illinois, and received his B.S. in Advertising from the University during the winter of the 1992-1993 academic year. He was the son of fellow University of Illinois alumna and employee, Norma Linton. While attending the University of Illinois, he financed most of his tuition and living expenses by working various jobs and opening his own business, Forlin Publishing. Through this company he published “Greek Guide” from 1990-1993, which was a directory for students involved in Greek Life. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and served on the Advertising Committee of the Inter-Fraternity Council.

After graduating, Linton moved to Japan to work in software technology. By 1994, he began working for Koyosha Graphics. He published monthly columns in Computing Japan from 1994-1998, and in Internet User Magazine from 1995-1996, reporting about emergent software technologies and internet phenomena. He then worked for Microsoft Japan from 1996-2002. While at Microsoft, he had a significant role in the marketing and business development of Internet Explorer 4.0 in Japan. He received multiple awards for his accomplishments at Microsoft, including awards and gifts directly from Bill Gates. He additionally served as vice chairman of the Japanese Internet Advertisers Association and on the Board of Directors of CarPoint KK.

Subject/Index Terms

Advertising
Computer Software
Fraternity Alumni
Interfraternity Council
Sigma Phi Epsilon


Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Professional Life: United States, 1976, 1985-1994],
[Series 2: Professional Life: Japan, 1993-2002],
[Series 3: Personal Papers],
[All]

Series 1: Professional Life: United States, 1976, 1985-1994
This series contains three sub-series, all pertaining to Linton's professional life and business activities in the United States. While studying at the University of Illinois, he financed his education and living expenses by working various jobs and starting business initiatives usually under the Forlin company, which he founded. Contents within this series contain records pertaining to these business activities. Sub-series therein are arranged alphabetically.
Sub-Series 1: Early Career and Professional Activities, 1976, 1985-1993
Box 1
Folder 1: Article and Writing on Porsches, 1988-1989
Folder 2: "Book" Notes: Mail-Order Business Guide, 1988
Folder 3: Business Ideas and Plans: University Marketing Systems, Student Marketing Systems, Student Entrepreneurial Consulting, and Market Link, 1990-1992
Folder 4: Collected Business-Related Articles of Interest, 1985, 1989-1993
Folder 5: Early Business Ideas and "Brainstorming" Notes, 1988-1992
Folder 6: Excellence: A Magazine about Porsche Cars - Features Article by Forest, 1989
Folder 7: Great Planes Model Distributors: Letters of Recommendation, 1989-1990
Folder 8: Hobbico, 1986-1993
Folder 9: Hobbico Scrapbook, 1976, 1988-1990
Folder 10: Job Search Correspondence and Resume Draft, 1992-1993
Folder 11: Model Motion: Radio-Controlled Model Porsches (1 of 2), 1987-1989
Folder 12: Model Motion: Radio-Controlled Model Porsches (2 of 2), 1987-1989
Folder 13: Premium Brands: Budweiser Business Correspondence and Marketing Plans, 1989-1990
Folder 14: Small Business Consulting of University of Illinois: Proposals, 1992
Folder 15: University Marketing Systems: Cash Card Discount Club, 1992-1993
Sub-Series 2: Forlin Distributing and Publishing: Administration, Business Activities, and Plans, 1989-1993
Box 1
Folder 16: Forlin Distributing: Forlin Tools "Spot Rot", 1989-1990
Folder 17: Forlin Distributing: Pride Productions Spring Break T-Shirts, 1989-1990
Folder 18: Forlin Distributing Photography Service: "Forest the Photographer", 1989
Folder 19: Forlin Distributing: University Sportswear Corp. v. John Hu and Forest Linton, 1990-1991
Folder 20: Forlin Gaming Commission: Blackjack, 1991-1992
Folder 21: Forlin Publishing: Advertising and Expenses, 1990-1993
Folder 22: Forlin Publishing Business Registration, 1991
Folder 23: Forlin Publishing: "The Menu Magazine" Dining Guide, 1993
Folder 24: Forlin: Summaries, 1992
Sub-Series 3: Forlin Publishing: Greek Guide, 1989-1994
Box 1
Folder 25: Greek Guide, 1990-1991
Folder 26: Greek Guide, 1992
Folder 27: Greek Guide, 1993-1994
Folder 28: Advertising and Status Reports, 1990
Folder 29: Business Papers, 1990-1992
Folder 30: Business Papers, 1990-1993
Folder 31: Contracts, Finances, and Sale, 1991-1993
Folder 32: Directories and Guides, 1990-1993
Folder 33: Early Plans and Promotion, 1990
Folder 34: Expansion and Franchise Plans, 1990-1992
Folder 35: Expansion Plans: Submitted for Business Administration 346 Course, 1991
Folder 36: Non-Competition Agreements and Franchising, 1990-1991
Folder 37: Trademark Registration, 1991-1993
Folder 38: Greek Life Survey and Directories, 1991
Folder 39: Photographs of Greek Guide "Office", ca. 1989-1993
Folder 40: Student Marketing Systems, Inc.: Greek Guide National Expansion Business Plan, 1990-1991
Series 2: Professional Life: Japan, 1993-2002
This series contains five sub-series, all pertaining to Forest's career in Japan. While in Japan, he worked for Koyosha Graphics and later Microsoft. He additionally published a regular column in the magazine Computing Japan and maintained a website about living in Japan and technology. Each sub-series is arranged alphabetically.
Sub-Series 1: Japan Job Search and Business Notes, 1993-2002
Box 2
Folder 1: Correspondence: Job Search in Japan, 1993
Folder 2: Notebooks: Business Notes, 1995-1997
Folder 3: Notebooks: Business-Related (1 of 2), ca. 1993-2002
Folder 4: Notebooks: Business-Related (2 of 2), ca. 1993-2002
Folder 5: Resume of Qualifications and Job Letter, 1993-2002
Sub-Series 2: Koyosha Graphics, 1993-1996
Box 2
Folder 6: Journal Notes: Work for Koyosha Graphics, ca. 1993-1995
Folder 7: Scrapbook (In Binder): Forest Linton Japan Work Koyosha, 1993-1996
Scrapbook assembled by Norma Linton, Forest's mother. Contains I. Work Search History and II. Work Life and Koyosha (Part 1)
Folder 8: Scrapbook (In Binder): Forest Linton Japan Work Life: Koyosha (Part 2), 1994-1996
Scrapbook assembled by Norma Linton, Forest's mother. Work Life and Koyosha (Part 2).
Folder 9: Scrapbook (In Binder): Koyosha Graphics, 1994-1996
Scrapbook assembled by Norma Linton.
Sub-Series 3: Microsoft Japan, 1995-2002
Box 2
Folder 10: AJALT Private Japanese Language Lessons - Provided by Microsoft, 1999-2000
Folder 11: Correspondence with Microsoft Associates, 2001-2002
Folder 12: Directions on Microsoft - Corporate Organization, 2001
Folder 13: Empowerment Leadership - Participant's Guide (with Forest's Annotations), 2001
Folder 14: Meeting and Presentation with Bill Gates, 1996-2001
Folder 15: Microsoft Business Cards and Meeting Notes, 2000-2002
Folder 16: Microsoft: Business Correspondence, Notes, and Presentations (English and Japanese), ca. 1996-2002
Folder 17: Microsoft: Business Ideas, Notes, and Plans, 2001-2002
Folder 18: Microsoft: Internet Explorer 4.0 Booklet and Notes, ca. 1997-1998
Folder 19: Microsoft Internet Marketing Day Photographs, ca. 1996-2002
Folder 20: MSN Japan: Business Plans and Presentations, 1998-2002
Folder 21: Scrapbook: Advertising and Promotion of Internet Explorer 4.0, 1997-1998
Scrapbook assembled by Norma Linton.
Folder 22: Scrapbook: Awards and Gifts Presented to Forest Linton, 1997-2001
Scrapbook assembled by Norma Linton.
Folder 23: "What it Takes" Microsoft Article, ca. 1995
Folder 24: Windows Magazine: Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (In Japanese), ca. 1996-2002
Sub-Series 4: Forest's Articles and Columns in Japanese Publications, 1994-2002
Box 2
Folder 25: A Collection of Columns/Articles by Forest Linton, 1995-2002
Assembled by Norma Linton.
Folder 26: Computing Japan, 1994
Vol. 1: No. 7, December.
Folder 27: Computing Japan, 1995
Vol. 2: No. 1, January; No. 3, March; No. 4, April; No. 7, July; No. 10, November; No. 11, December.
Folder 28: Computing Japan, 1996
Vol. 3: No. 2, February/March.
Folder 29: Computing Japan, 1997
Vol. 4: No. 8, August.
Folder 30: Computing Japan (1 of 2), 1998
Vol. 5: No. 1, January; No. 2 February; No. 3, March; No. 4, April; No. 5, May.
Folder 31: Computing Japan (2 of 2), 1998
Vol. 5: No. 7, July; No. 9, September; No. 10, October; No. 11, November; No. 12, December.
Folder 32: Computing Japan, 1999
Vol. 6: No. 1, January; No. 4, April.
Folder 33: The Digital Forest: "Money on the Net Part 1" Web Article in Computing Japan, 1999
Folder 34: "The Forest" Website and Computing Japan Column, 1994-1995
Box 3
Folder 1: Scrapbook: Forest's Computing Japan Articles, 1994-1999
Folder 2: Scrapbook: Forest Linton's Japanese Publications, 1995-1997
Scrapbook assembled by Norma Linton.
Sub-Series 5: Japanese Publications with Advertisements, Articles, and Interviews Featuring Forest, 1994-2000
Box 3
Folder 3: Excerpts of Articles about Forest, ca. 1997-1998
Folder 4: Internet ASCII Magazine (In Japanese), 1998
Vol. 3 No. 1. See page 186 for article featuring Forest.
Folder 5: Internet Magazine - Includes Interview with Forest  (In Japanese), 1995
No. 10. See page 99 for interview with Forest.
Folder 6: Internet Magazine (In Japanese), 1997
Special issue with photograph of Forest for Microsoft Internet Explorer promotion on page 1; No. 8, "Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Platform Preview" pages 250-277, including interview with Forest (pages 276-277).
Folder 7: Scrapbook: Interviews and Photos of Forest Linton in Japanese Publications, 1994-2000
Assembled by Norma Linton.
Folder 8: Japanese Magazines Featuring Articles about Forest, 1998
Folder 9: Japanese Magazines Featuring Forest (1 of 2), 1997
Folder 10: Japanese Magazines Featuring Forest (2 of 2), 1997
Folder 11: Japanese Magazines Featuring Forest, 1998
Folder 12: MicroCampus Japanese Newsletter - Issues Featuring Forest, 1997-1998, 2000
Folder 13: Netn@vi Magazine: Issues Featuring Articles about Forest, 1997
Series 3: Personal Papers
This series contains correspondence, photographs, journals, and scrapbooks that document Forest's personal life from childhood until his death in 2002. Arranged chronologically.
Box 3
Folder 14: "Baby Memories", 1968
Folder 15: Photographs, Cards, Writings, and Memorabilia from Childhood through Young Adulthood, ca. 1970-1993
Folder 16: Elementary School Writings, Drawings, and Award, ca. 1974-1979
Folder 17: "Bomb" Tabletop Game Created by Forest, ca. 1977-1979
Folder 18: Personal Writings and Correspondence, 1977-1987
Folder 19: High School Writings, ca. 1981-1985
Folder 20: Correspondence: Jim Herman, 1985-1993
Folder 21: Correspondence and Photographs, ca. 1985-1996
Folder 22: Illinois State Scholar Scholarship Letter, 1985
Folder 23: Scrapbook: Summer Vacation, 1985
Box 4
Folder 1: Urbana High School Diploma, 1986
Folder 2: Photographs - Sigma Phi Epsilon, 1989-1993
Folder 3: Correspondence, 1991-2000
Folder 4: Correspondence with Grandmother, 1991-1993
Folder 5: Correspondence: Norma Linton and Okano Family, 1991-1995
Folder 6: Activities in Japan, ca. 1993-2002
Folder 7: Correspondence and Greeting Cards, 1993-2000
Folder 8: Correspondence: Forest and Norma Linton's Friends in Japan, 1993
Folder 9: Correspondence and Journal Excerpts, 1993-1996
Folder 10: Correspondence: Norma Linton (mother), 1993-1995
Folder 11: Correspondence: Norma Linton (mother), 1993-1996, 2001
Folder 12: Correspondence and Photograph: Okano Family Funeral, 1993, 1996
Folder 13: Correspondence: Rick Piester, 1993-1994
Folder 14: Journal, 1993
Folder 15: Photographs (1 of 2), ca. 1993-2002
Folder 16: Photographs (2 of 2), ca. 1993-2002
Folder 17: Photographs: Car and Motorcycle, ca. 1993
Folder 18: Postcards and Greeting Cards, ca. 1993-2001
Folder 19: Scrapbook: The Kurohime Inn, 1993
Assembled by Norma Linton.
Folder 20: Journal, 1994
Folder 21: Correspondence with Family, 1997, 2001
Folder 22: Photograph and Correspondence to Akane, 1998
Folder 23: Correspondence: Norma Linton (mother), 1999-2001
Folder 24: Correspondence: Norma Linton (mother), 2001-2002
Folder 25: Golfing - Writings, Photographs, and Memorabilia, ca. 2001-2002
Folder 26: A Tale of Two Sig Ep Brothers: Correspondence, Interviews, and Writings, 2002-2003
Folder 27: Articles about Forest's Life and Death in Japanese Publications, 2002
Folder 28: Celebration of Forest's Life (U.S.), 2002
Folder 29: Correspondence from Forest's Colleagues to Norma Linton, 2002-2003
Folder 30: Forest's Japan Memorial Service Guest Books, 2002
Folder 31: Forest's Obituary in the News-Gazette, 2002
Folder 32: Letters of Condolence from Forest's Japanese Friends and Colleagues (1 of 2), 2002
Folder 33: Letters of Condolence from Forest's Japanese Friends and Colleagues (2 of 2), 2002
Folder 34: Personal Goal-Setting Notes, ca. 2002
Folder 35: Photo Albums: Forest's Memorial Service (Japan), 2002
Folder 36: Photographs and Correspondence: Forest's Japanese Memorial Service, 2002
Folder 37: Photographs and Reflections on Forest's Life, ca. 2002
Folder 38: Photographs: Celebration of Forest's Life (U.S.), 2002
Folder 39: Photographs: Forest's Memorial Service in Japan, 2002
Folder 40: Pictures of Forest's Japan Apartment, 2002
Folder 41: "Forest" Personal Essay by Garrick Heuer, 2003
Folder 42: "A Forey Story", ca. 1992
Book containing drawings, personal notes, and photographs, by family friends. Item is stored on top of folders within the box.
Folder 43: VHS Tape: "Forest Fun Footage", Undated
Folder 44: VHS Tape: "Forest's Work Footage/Highlights", Undated
Folder 45: VHS Tape: "Mac World Expo/Tokyo 1998 Keynote Speech", Feb. 19, 1998

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Professional Life: United States, 1976, 1985-1994],
[Series 2: Professional Life: Japan, 1993-2002],
[Series 3: Personal Papers],
[All]

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