CompuServe Messages

First, I would hope that we can try to keep all of this civil. I'm happy to discuss my reasons for writing. I write because I enjoy it. I don't make "oodles" of money off of my columns, but I also don't make what I would if I were spending the equivelant amount working on a graphics job. Let's clear off the subject of "profit" in a monetary sense, because it just isn't there. I buy a lot of software. Out of my pocket, with my money. The magazine doesn't give me a "budget" each month to acquire things to write about, it's my money that I earn producing graphics and animation. Almost every company that produces a product is looking for free mentions, and that puts a lot of pressure on a writer. You, as a journalist yourself, should be able to understand that. If I mention this product, what is the guy who makes the competing product gonna say? I DON'T CARE. Now let me explain what I mean by that. I don't play the "you scratch mine, I'll scratch yours" game. If you, as a software manufacturer, want to make sure that I see your product in the hopes that I will rave about how wonderful it is to those who read my columns, the logical way to do this is to send it to me. Otherwise, there is the possibilty that I would never see the package and you miss the added pr. Every software company in the WORLD knows that. But, no product is accepted by me on conditions that I absolutely HAVE to write about it. Period. Equally, by sending software, you take your chances. If I like it, I'll probably write about it. I usually do (as evidenced by the good reviews I give many products and many mentions) write about products that OTHER people may not be familiar with which are of high quality. If I DON'T like the product you send me, there's a good chance I'll mention that in the column. Maybe I won't. When I write my columns I sit down and think about the span of time since I wrote the last column. What products have I bought/seen/been sent in that period of time have proved to be highly useful to me as a professional animator? What new tricks have I heard/ discovered in that time? That's what I write. As for the magazine itself, I will neither defend nor attack them. It is not fair for me to do so and a person would have to be really stupid to say something negative about the boss (they do pay me for articles…) I will say, however, your problems with getting ANYBODY to do ANYTHING for or about you, verify facts, etc., EXCEPT ME have nothing to do with me. I live in Southern Cal and they live in Northern Cal. The only time of the month that I even talk to them is when I modem them the new column. Your problems with the magazine and/or its publishers or writers other than me are between you and them. Don't drag me into that. I really hate to even mention this now because it sounds as if the statement is merely because we've argued. It's not. But I'll tell you exactly why I didn't write about Interchange…because I don't care for the program. You sent me a beta version during development as has been discussed earlier in this string to help me when I called and asked a favor. I didn't trade a definate article or mention for it, nothing. Why did you send it? Why me? You knew me only by a couple of conversations on the phone and meeting once or twice at trade shows, but you sent a beta copy of your software to me. Did you not expect me to use it? I get my knowledge of the value of a product by using it in my jobs. Indeed, if I wasn't allowed to use a piece of software I was sent in my jobs for profit, they would likely never get mentioned simply because I don't have TIME to work with a program unless it is in the course of a professional job! I even told you things I liked and didn't like about the program after you sent it, didn't I? My main complaint was the interface and having to open so many little programs didn't seem as handy as offering them as menu-style options or buttons. Per your request, I modemed you a DeluxePaint-drawn image of how I thought the program might look to seem simpler and more professional. Didn't I? Why did you want that from me? Were you, by some chance, looking profit from my suggestions if possible? I'm offended by your gall in accusing ME of conducting my business and writing affairs in an improper manner. The majority of my columns are teaching people how to produce professional animations. JOHN, I'M TRAINING PEOPLE TO COMPETE WITH ME! Good lord, can't you see that the column is not some sort of political battlefield to me? You are welcome to continue in your belief that I'm scum, but let me tell you this, John: If I find a situation where your product comes into use to me in the course of my work, I'll be more than happy to write it up in my column(s). Maybe I'll buy some other product you release (since I presume you wouldn't send it to me), find it highly useful, and rave and rave like I do with Unili Graphics. Maybe not. I make no promises. Do YOU "get it"? David Hopkins