Preservation Of 1980s Radio Show Featuring Prominent Guests Like Bill Gates, Gene Roddenberry, And Douglas Adams Underway

The Famous Computer Cafe was a radio show that aired between 1984 and 1986, featuring guests such as Bill Gates, Gene Roddenberry, Herbie Hancock, and Douglas Adams. Hosted by Andrew Velcoff, Michael Walker, and Ellen Fead Hansen, the show covered computer news, reviews, and interviews. Thought lost for years, 35 reel-to-reel tapes containing around 54 episodes were discovered by Kay Savetz. Savetz is now in the process of digitizing the tapes so that future generations can enjoy the unique insights and discussions from this groundbreaking program.

To digitize a collection of tapes, Savetz started a GoFundMe campaign that aimed to raise $4,750 but has since surpassed this goal. Eight episodes have already been digitized and are available on The Internet Archive for public viewing, with the campaign remaining open to cover any additional expenses that may arise.

• Bill Atkinson (Apple Inc.)

• Jackie Massing (Silicon Valley Computer Camp) and Doug Heineman (Xerox Corporation)

• David Jonson, known as “Dr. Disk”

• Steve Laff, representing Friendly Computers (a computer store)

• Fred Gladney from C.W. Gladney and Associates (a computer consultancy)

• Mike Carbonne, affiliated with Simonton Industries

• Terry Thormodesgaard and Jim St. Omer Roy of Thor Agency

• Hershel Toomim, renowned biofeedback pioneer

• Bill Gates and Kazuhiko Nishi