Tech & Industry Mags
2 messages in this thread
Malcolm,
I can see your complaints about Byte but I still find it to be acceptable
(but then I'm not highly technical). However, I agree with you, most Mags
are just glorified press releases to justify the advertising. You can't
really ask them to be critical because they would be biting the hand that
feeds them.
BTW, do you know about a special publication which is sort of like
consumers reports for computers? They accept no advertising and as such
the annual subscription is a couple $100.
Apparently, as the novelty of computers wears off there are less people
enrolling in Computer Science courses in universities. If that is so then
it could explain the decline of tech info in two ways: fewer people who
understand the technology & can write about it, and a smaller market of
people who want to know about such stuff.
My guess, re: the mag you spoke of, is that by doing human interest
stories they will save money because they won't have to get high priced
consultants with high priced equipment. Also, the turn around would be
faster because details aren't as important.
Andrew
PS, Do you know what NetBEUI is?
Andrew,
There's no question that the early adopters were tech freaks and that most
of today's user base is not. Most of the people who've gotten into using
computers in the last few years want them to be only marginally more
difficult than using a TV and (preferably) easier than programming a VCR.
It's no surprise that people who _can't_ program a VCR (or operate an ATM)
don't want to know all the tech info – or any of it! BUT they MAY have an
interest in computers; i.e., what can I do with them, how can I make my
work easier.
_That_ is what I meant by "lifestyle". Not "human interest"; there'll be
precious little of that. As an analogy, you'd have the tech specs of
microwaves vs. a cookbook. Big difference.
So where an item _might have_ read: "The BellRinger 2000 supports Group I,
II and III, v.32bis and Identicall…"
It will now read: "Did you know that you can attach your computer to your
telephone line and have it recognize a fax, voice or data call? Well, now
you can through the advances of computerized telecommunications. The
BellRinger 2000…."
The first informs me but the second just puts me to sleep. But it's the
coming thing. I foresee a magazine called "Getting Started" which, after
10 years of publication, will be more facile than at its inception. I
foresee a English textbook that – when you open it – says, "You've
probably heard of letters and numbers. It's the way people used to
communicate."
Malcolm