Guide to the Raines Cohen papers and T-shirts collection M1259
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Raines Cohen papers and T-shirt collection
Identifier/Call Number: M1259
Physical Description:
9.81 Linear Feet
(3 manuscript boxes; 16 flat boxes)
Physical Description:
1.72 gigabyte(s)
1 3.5" floppy disk, 4 optical discs
Date (inclusive): 1985-2001
Abstract: T-shirts and newsletters from the Berkeley Macintosh Users Group, and related files kept by Raines Cohen about his involvement
with early Macintosh computer communities.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research, with the exception of the born-digital materials, which are closed until processed. Note that material
must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was given by Raines Cohen to Stanford University, Special Collections in 2001.
Biographical / Historical
Raines Cohen cofounded the Berkeley Macintosh Users Group (BMUG) in 1986 while enrolled at the University of California at
Berkeley as a Geography major. He worked in the newsroom at MacWEEK magazine, and later was Founding Editor of NetProfessional
magazine, a trade publication. Beginning in the late 1970s, Macintosh computer user groups formed to troubleshoot and discuss
Apple products, and over time became a focal point for education and support. The BMUG offered membership, held meetings,
and produced educational materials and newsletters on various aspects of building, operating, and using Macintosh computers
and software. The BMUG slogan was, "We're in the business of giving information."
The non-profit was operated by volunteers and provided members with repair services in addition to offering a support call-center,
which answered user questions and helped them resolve technical problems with their computers. The BMUG also published a 400+
page biannual newsletter with an accompanying CD-ROM, and occasional publications including, "BMUG on Hypercard" (1988). The
BMUG's close association with Apple allowed them to have access to software products before being officially launched, and
members were closely linked with the MacWorld Expo meetings. By 1993, BMUG reached its peak with more than 13,000 members
("BMUGgers"), and at one point had satellite groups in Boston and Japan. The role of BMUG and other groups who served the
Macintosh computer user community slowly diminished with the advancement of the Internet age, and Apple eventually introducing
its own consumer support services. Financial difficulties lead to BMUG eventually dissolving in 1999. [retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Macintosh_Users_Group
retrieved March, 2023]
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Raines Cohen papers and T-shirt collection (M1259). Dept. of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Scope and Contents
Collection includes the Berkeley Macintosh User Group (BMUG) newsletters in print and on CD-ROM discs, and related files kept
by Raines Cohen about his involvement with the group and early Macintosh computer communities. Artifacts include buttons,
pins, and t-shirts designed for various User Groups including BMUG and associated groups in the computer industry.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Science -- History.
Apple Computer, Inc.
Berkeley Macintosh Users Group
Users group
HyperCard
Box 1, folder 1
BMUG Finance, 1991-1995, incl.
Box 1, folder 2
BMUG Information, 1988-1990, incl.
Box 1, folder 3
User Group Connection: Guide to Tax Exempt Status, 1995
Box 1, folder 4
"UG Politics", various correspondence, 1988-1991, incl.
Box 1, folder 5
Quick Connect Newsletters, 1994 Nov to 1995 Dec
Box 1, folder 6
User Groups newsletters and ephemera, 1988-1994, incl.
Box 1, folder 7
User Group Connection promotional materials, 1995
Box 1, folder 8
User Group vendor packet, Apple Inc. "Starting Line", 1995 July
Box 1, folder 9
User Group vendor packets from HP and Adobe Inc., 1994 and 1995
Box 1, folder 10
User Group vendor packets from HP and Adobe Inc., computer media
Series 2. Publications
Conditions Governing Access
BMUG Newsletters on 3 CD-ROMs inside Box 3, Folder 2. Digital files are closed until processed. Check the catalog record in
SearchWorks for current status.
Box 1, folder 11
BMUG Newsletter, Spring, 1985
Box 1, folder 12
BMUG Apple Developers Group Newsletter, Spring, 1985
Box 2, folder 1
BMUG Newsletter, Spring, 1986
Box 2, folder 2
BMUG Newsletter, Fall, 1985
Box 2, folder 3
BMUG Newsletter, Late 1986
Box 2, folder 4
BMUG Newsletter, Fall/Winter, 1987
Box 2, folder 5
BMUG Newsletter, Fall, 1995
Scope and Contents
Included in file is a CD version of the newsletter with music tracks contributed by Manabu Ishikawa.
Box 2, folder 6
BMUG Windows Newsletter, Spring, 1992
Box 3, folder 1
BMUG Newsletter, Fall, 1996
Box 3, folder 2
BMUG Newsletters CD-ROMs, 1995-1997
Series 3. User Group Meetings and Reference Materials
Box 3, folder 3
Association of Personal Computer User Groups Inc., User Group Summit Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, 1990 Nov 14
Box 3, folder 4
Association of Personal Computer User Groups Inc., User Group Officers Forum, Atlanta, GA 1995 Apr 22-27
Box 3, folder 5
Copernicus Documentation by Barbara Connick, 1990
Box 3, folder 6
Macintosh Webmaster University Presentations, San Jose, CA, 1991
Box 3, folder 7
Sponsoring a Campus User Group, Apple Inc., 1988
Box 3, folder 8
The Developer Handbook, Apple Inc., 1991 April
Box 3, folder 9
Macintosh Operating System Strategy, a Standard for Open Innovation, Apple Inc., 1995
Series 4. T-Shirts and Ephemera
Box 4
Ephemera
Scope and Contents
BMUG logo-designed folders and a collection of buttons and pins, including the floppy diskette-shaped BMUG membership pin
featuring the Campanille located on the University of California, Berkeley campus.
Box 5-19
T-shirts
Physical Description: 8.4 Linear Feet15 flat boxes
Scope and Contents
51 t-shirts with designs featuring BMUG, computer industry logos and related events from the late 1980s to early 2000s. Examples
include t-shirts made for Macintosh User Groups in Arizona, New York, and Portland, Oregon; MacWorld Expo and Conference Faculty;
Code Warrior, Eudora e-mail, and Peachpit Press. Bill Woodcock designed BMUG's T-shirts, including a tie-dyed version that
read, "Tie-Dyed by Real Deadheads in Berkeley" in Apple's Garamond Condensed font type.
