Softape: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:51, July 4, 2025

Softape
Address	10432 Burbank Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91601
Founded	1977

History

Softape was a software company that published video games, utilities, and productivity programs for the Apple II personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was co-founded by three Burbank high schoolers, William V. R. Smith, Bill Depew and Gary Koffler. The company launched as Softech in a 900 square foot North Hollywood garage-office rented for $195-a-month. Forced to change their name (another Softech existed in San Diego), they became Softape, emphasizing “software on tape.” To duplicate cassettes affordably, DePew built a multi‑copy audio bridge, and later partnered with GRT Corporation, a large music tape and record manufacturer, for mass production. In 1980, the company's name was changed to Artsci, Inc.

Softech’s first product was something called the Software Exchange (later the Softape Software Exchange). After paying a $20 membership fee, customers could order software “modules” on cassette for $2 each. The first title, Module 1, included three games: Advanced Dragon Maze (a lo-res maze game by Gary Shannon), Digital Derby (a lo-res horse racing game), and Saucer War (a two-player space combat game)- among the first Apple II programs sold nationwide.

Softape's Software Exchange newsletter, Softalk, was started in 1979 as a club newsletter, of which there were only two editions. Its success caused Softape to look for partners to handle a monthly format magazine. Margot Comstock and Al Tommervik joined the effort in 1980 and the new group re-designed it into the Apple II enthusiast magazine Softalk.

Logos

People

William V. R. Smith, Founder
Gary Koffler, Founder
William Depew, Founder

Titles

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 == History ==
-Softape was a software company that published video games, utilities, and productivity programs for the Apple II personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was co-founded by William V. R. Smith, Bill Depew and Gary Koffler. In 1980, the company's name was changed to Artsci, Inc.
+Softape was a software company that published video games, utilities, and productivity programs for the Apple II personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was co-founded by three Burbank high schoolers, William V. R. Smith, Bill Depew and Gary Koffler. The company launched as Softech in a 900 square foot North Hollywood garage-office rented for $195-a-month. Forced to change their name (another Softech existed in San Diego), they became Softape, emphasizing “software on tape.” To duplicate cassettes affordably, DePew built a multi‑copy audio bridge, and later partnered with GRT Corporation, a large music tape and record manufacturer, for mass production.  In 1980, the company's name was changed to Artsci, Inc.
+Softech’s first product was something called the Software Exchange (later the Softape Software Exchange). After paying a $20 membership fee, customers could order software “modules” on cassette for $2 each. The first title, Module 1, included three games: <i>Advanced Dragon Maze</i> (a lo-res maze game by Gary Shannon), <i>Digital Derby</i> (a lo-res horse racing game), and <i>Saucer War</i> (a two-player space combat game)- among the first Apple II programs sold nationwide.
 Softape's Software Exchange newsletter, <i>Softalk</i>, was started in 1979 as a club newsletter, of which there were only two editions. Its success caused Softape to look for partners to handle a monthly format magazine. Margot Comstock and Al Tommervik joined the effort in 1980 and the new group re-designed it into the Apple II enthusiast magazine <i>Softalk</i>.