Oct 18, 2016
Russ Walter, Secret Guide to Computers
Russ Walter is the author of Secret Guide to Computers & Tricky Living, a book that he has been publishing and updating since 1972. It is currently in its 32nd edition; he's working on the 33rd now. The book has evolved with technology and time — the current versions cover modern machines like Windows, Android, and iOS. The early editions covered then-modern machines like the Atari 800, TRS-80, Commodore 64, and Apple //.
In addition to the book, Russ provides a free technical support phone number, which he invites people to call at any time, day or night. (My copy of the book, from 1987, says right on the cover: "Call 24 hours: he's usually in and sleeps only lightly.") Though the phone number has changed, some 30 years later, that is still a feature that he offers.
This interview took place on September 15, 2016.
"The craziest call that I got was a girl, sounded like she was 7th or 8th grade or something ... wanted to know how to attract her boyfriend to her."
Secret Guide web site: http://SecretFun.com
Interviewed Russ many times in the '80s when I was first starting out as a tech journalist with Infoworld. GREAT guy. Very impressed he's still doing this. Thanks for posting, good interview.