CompuServe Thread

#No more Tech Journal

21 messages in this thread
#19682From: Marlene Zenker/SYSOPJan 30, 1992 4:02 PM
Now that the word is out, I was wondering what comments people have about the fact that Amiga World Tech Journal isn't going to be published anymore. Comments, anyone? Steve
#19683From: Derek BuckleyJan 30, 1992 5:39 PM
I think it totally sucks! That mag had great material — even though much of it is over my head for now. I thought it was a very thorough and professional publication. My guess is that the price and/or the lack of a diskless version is the cause of their demise. Is Amazing Computing's TECH next? (I thought the A.W. one was the better of the two). – db —–> via Whap!
#19684From: Michael GerardJan 30, 1992 5:56 PM
>> "Comments, anyone?" << Hmmm. Fewer subscription cards to fall on the floor when opening up AmigaWorld? 🙂 – Whapp!ng from the North Coast Michael
#19713From: Betty Clay/SYSOPJan 30, 1992 11:30 PM
Steve, I feel that AmigaWorld did everything possible to make a go of a good technical journal. They had good material, first class writers, and good editing. I think the price of the magazine kept it from selling as widely as it should have, but I also think they were being realistic when they set that price. They paid their authors promptly, along with other people to whom they owed money. They did not go bankrupt – they just discontinued. I'm terribly sorry to see the magazine go. It always had excellent information in it, and we have nothing to compare with it, to my knowledge. Gee, first we lost TRANSACTOR, then the AMIGAN APPRENTICE & JOURNEYMAN, and now the AWTJ. And they were all SO good. Betty
#19727From: Don Curtis/SYSOPJan 31, 1992 1:07 AM
Steve, I think it'll make anyone thinking of bringing out a tech oriented mag in the future…have 2nd thoughts…and that's not good. Don
#19802From: Vic WagnerJan 31, 1992 11:07 PM
It's disappointing, that's for sure.
#19773From: John GagerJan 31, 1992 7:28 PM
Well, it's typical of IDG Communications. I really liked the Tech Journal and it was a very good magazine, so it will be missed. Apparently it didn't make enough money to satisfy the powers that be. I was just about ready to send in my renewal, so I'm glad you mentioned it Steve. Save's me a lot of hassle. John – K7KB (via Whap!)
#19886From: Derek BuckleyFeb 2, 1992 6:07 AM
Now that you mention IDG, when the Tech Journal was first announced, there was an editorial in Jumpdisk saying exactly what IDG had done with an IBM technical magazine would happen to the Amiga one — and it did. – db —–> via Whap!
#19937From: John GagerFeb 3, 1992 4:06 AM
Well with only 1 dedicated Amiga technical magazine, I can only hope that AC/Tech will improve to the point of being at least equal to the AW Tech Journal. Boy, I sure miss Transactor 8^) John – K7KB (via Whap!)
#19950From: Derek BuckleyFeb 3, 1992 6:37 PM
I hope so, but I doubt it. The Tech Journal was a very professional and polished publication, whereas AC TECH is more like a magazine with a technical theme. I have to wonder if they can continue to publish where a large magazine company failed. I agree 110% with you about Transactor!!!!!!!!!! – db —–> via Whap!
#19799From: Nelson IngersollJan 31, 1992 10:50 PM
I have purchased every copy of AWTJ that came out. I wanted to subscribe, but didn't. I was quite depressed when I heard that it is soon to be no more. I will miss it. – Nelson …
#19801From: William GorderJan 31, 1992 11:07 PM
Comments? Arrrrggggghhhh! I *really* enjoyed reading this magazine, almost as much as the late, much lamented Transactor for the Amiga. I don't program the Amiga for a living, or even develop for it, but I *love* digging around in the OS, etc. and AWTJ was a perfect source of information for this. I much preferred it to Amazing Tech. Things I liked about AWTJ: 1) They had an article peer review process. 2) Articles were understandable, without being too simple. 3) Neat hardware articles by Dave Haynie (e.g.,Zorro III) Looks like a may have to subscribe to AmigaMail to get my techie fix. 🙂 I wish there was some way to change their minds. 🙁 Later, Bill – via Whap!
#19850From: Greg Comeau@Comeau CmptgFeb 1, 1992 2:30 PM
>wish there was some way to change their minds. 🙁 Firmly agreed to that. Almost not understandable how such a quality thing that apparently was read by all would go under. Furthermore, if it is an issue of pricing, I think the publisher has a lot of nerve trying to please a spreadsheet rather than looking for other options. (On the other hand perhaps I just the gun: I was not behind the scenes with them so I haven't a spec of detail. I hope they looked at all their options first).
#19855From: Jim DuttonFeb 1, 1992 6:51 PM
I never saw an AW Tech Journal in my area – only one major and one minor bookstore. I did finally get my hands on one issue while in a LARGE CBM only dealer in Aurora, Illinois. While most of it was of little interest to me, what was of interest was fairly well done. Perhaps providing "lead ins" in AmigaWorld could have helped to spur more interest or even more need to the TJ (eg; "for more information see … in T.J."). – Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
#19951From: Tom SawyerFeb 3, 1992 6:44 PM
This is awful news. Another fine Amiga mag goes down. I remember a prediction I read in a info. editorial when the AWTJ and ACTJ first were started. Ben and Doug said there was no way two all tech mags would survive. This comming true is no surprise to me, but what is surprising is which TJ decided to quit. With AWs powerful backing, you would think they could/would wait to be the only TJ. I have always wonderd….. Who came out first with a tech journal? Amiga World or Amazing? BTW, a friend of mine recently sold a several part article to ACTJ. I take this to mean that they have no plans to quit their magazine. The best outcome that could happen now would be if AWTJ subscribers receive a choice: a full refund for undeliverd copies for the rest of their subscp. or recv. the ACTJ. (rather than just send them boring AW) Silly me… now that I just came back from sitting on the think tank, I now realize AW will not be offering refunds…this is $ in hand, and why would they give it up?|8^) OLT..Is the Amiga magazine market finally done "shaking out"? I hate to think we might be losing another! – Tom Sawyer – Whapping! down the Mississippi!
#19976From: John GagerFeb 4, 1992 4:46 AM
Well, I'm not sure if they are going to have any choice on this one. Since IDG and AmigaWorld are still in business, and AW is not really a viable Tech magazine replacement, I would think that if the customer demanded it, they would have to refund the subsription. But I'm not a lawyer either 8^) I know I would be writing some nasty letters to IDG demanding a refund! John – K7KB (via Whap!)
#19993From: Betty Clay/SYSOPFeb 4, 1992 9:59 PM
I think we subscribers should give them at least a little while to work out details and tell us what they plan to do about refunding. I know they are working hard, and that they plan to offer some choices – but have not the vaguest idea what those choices might be. Betty
#20027From: John GagerFeb 5, 1992 9:46 PM
A friend of mine told me today that he phoned in his renewal of the AW Tech Journal about a week ago and they said NOTHING about dropping the magazine. Sounds pretty shady to me! John – K7KB (via Whap!)
#20032From: Betty Clay/SYSOPFeb 5, 1992 11:50 PM
I suspect the decision to stop publication was rather sudden. Betty
#20048From: Eric AndersonFeb 6, 1992 11:15 AM
I too echo these thoughts 🙁 Most of it was over my head (but just for now, I keep telling myself), but many of the articles were perfectly accessible nevertheless. I think of Perry K's article on JPEG/lossy file compression — important, fascinating, not so technical as to be incomprehensible without background — now where will we find that kind of article? Sigh. Maybe we need an On-Line Tech Journal? — Eric A.
#19964From: Jay TruesdaleFeb 3, 1992 8:08 PM
I wonder what will become of my un-used subscription as I recently renewed? I Liked the mag eventhough I haven't had the time to apply it, I figure it'd make a good reference in the future though. -J