The collection comprises printouts from The Backroom, 1987-1990, a New York-based computer bulletin board service (BBS) co-moderated by David Charnow. Known as the Upper Westsider, Charnow was instrumental in establishing and maintaining "Survivors," a section of the The Backroom BBS that served as a discussion forum for people with HIV/AIDS. The collection consists of a curated selection of messages posted to the electronic BBS entitled "Survivors, Conversations with Upper Westsider, 1987," as well as transcripts from conference proceedings and interviews, including discussions with Dr. Joyce Wallace, Dr. Michael Lange, Griffin Gold and Michael Hirsch.