The Computer Mechanics
Their story ...
1994
-
Stephen Hewlett and Les Shaw are working for ‘Compute’.
- Les rents a room in Steve’s house.
- While volunteering at Rogers Television in Durham, Les is inspired to start his own show.
- Les pitches his show idea to then Station Manager, Greg Grimes.
1995
Greg agrees that it is a great idea and they move ahead with a show called ‘The Computer Guys’
Les asks Steve to co-host the show with him. Steve says no.
Another co-host is found and preparations begin to tape the first episode.
The day before the first taping, the co-host backs out! In a panic, Les calls Steve and convinces him to be a part of the show.
The first show is a hit! They tape 3 episodes back to back.
Rogers Television airs ‘The Computer Guys’ back to back on boxing day and the audience grows.
1996
Les and Steve are profiled on Venture.
Les leaves ‘Compute’ to work for Ajax Hydro.
It is discovered that a television show in Ottawa has the same name for their show.
On the 3rd episode of the 2nd season, the show is renamed The Computer Mechanics.
1998
Les opens a computer store in Oshawa called The Computer Mechanics.
Throws a ‘Lan Party’ to open the store.
1999
Les meets Janet White in the spring on ICQ. Later that year, they begin talking about Janet moving from BC to work for The Computer Mechanics.
2000
Janet moves cross-country, from Victoria to Oshawa, to work for The Computer Mechanics Tech Centre.
2001
Stephen leaves his job at the Durham Catholic School Board to work for The Computer Mechanics Tech Centre.
The Computer Mechanics featured in We Compute magazine article, "Looking for a good mechanic" April 2001
On there way to CityTV to be featured on Breakfast Television, Les and Stephen get caught in a snow storm and do the interview via a cell phone on the 401
Les appears on daytime on Rogers Television throughout the GTA
The show moves to the Richmond Hill studio where a new set is unveiled to mark the show’s 6th successful season
Janet joins the show as ‘the voice of the caller’
Les and Steve featured on Venture again, this time for an episode on Internet Security (Employers spying on Employees).
The Computer Mechanics’ Hard Drive Tour 2001 takes them to locations across Central Ontario.
2002
Les agrees to do a presentation for the Durham PC Users' Club at their April meeting.
Contacts: Anne Keefer - President, Durham PC Users' Club 905-655-8013
Bruce Jones - Vice President 905-728-2554
|