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Which magazine?
33 messages in this thread
I just received my new Compute! today and was understandably very upset. I
thought after spending the entire last issue plugging the ST they would spend
this one on the Amiga. Wrong. What a disaster. After I canceled my
subscription to it and the Gazette (who's quality has withered) I decided to
get an Amy specific magazine. The question: Which one??? I know that most
seem to be OK but I'd like to start a string on the pro's and c's of each
magazine. Which is better for beginners/advanced users. Which has the best
editorial? Which has the best programs? Who is most up to date? etc.
To start the fray, I submit a list of known Amiga mags. Please forgive me if
I forget any…
.
Compute! Now ST crazy, plugging own ST mag
Info Is about half Amiga info lately, right?
Amazing Computing (RRrarara, the crowd goes wild!) The original recipe
Ami Project Tiny tech magazine, small circulation, wacky publisher 🙂
The Amigans Dick Barnes and John "Hack" Toebes, non-profit user group
.
Announced, but never shipped?:
.
AmigaZine – at least two separate magazines announced with this name…
XXXXXXX – I forget the name, a coffee-table mag, with color glossies,
program disk, artist-oriented.
And one or two more disk-based magazines.
.
Along with the critical commentary, I'd like to hear how people perceive each
magazine as being techie or novice, which ones you've seen, which ones you
see or read, which you subscribe to, and suggestions for future expansion.
I think all the publishers of these mags are watching here in some fashion.
I really like Amazing Computing (I subscribe) I subscribe to AmigaWorld
(they're getting better but have a LONG way to go. I like Amiga Project
(subscription also) but have only received one issue. I also subscribe to
COMPUTE! – but that relationship will soon come to an end. BYTE has minimal
coverage – wish they would have much more Amiga stuff. As to the other '64
and '128 mags – their coverage of the Amiga leaves much to be desired…I
think they will either stay with the 8 bit machines – or hold out like alot
of software developers have to see if Amy lasts before commiting themselves.
Marlene
I found it interesting that, altho the current BYTE has little in the way of
Amiga info, the cover pic IS an Amiga.
Yes, it's like no one wants to openly admit that the Amiga is terrific or
deserves extensive coverage…Even Webster isn't talking about it anymore and
Jerry Pournelle doesn't give it a great deal of mention either. You know
Steve, after all the years of putting up with the game machine stuff about
our Atari 800 and it's lack of recognition as a REAL computer, I can't
believe we're going through this again!!!!
Yes, it's like no one wants to openly admit that the Amiga is terrific or
deserves extensive coverage…Even Webster isn't talking about it anymore and
Jerry Pournelle doesn't give it a great deal of mention either. You know
Steve, after all the years of putting up with the game machine stuff about
our Atari 800 and it's lack of recognition as a REAL computer, I can't
believe we're going through this again!!!!
I found it interesting that, altho the current BYTE has little in the way of
Amiga info, the cover pic IS an Amiga.
I really like Amazing Computing (I subscribe) I subscribe to AmigaWorld
(they're getting better but have a LONG way to go. I like Amiga Project
(subscription also) but have only received one issue. I also subscribe to
COMPUTE! – but that relationship will soon come to an end. BYTE has minimal
coverage – wish they would have much more Amiga stuff. As to the other '64
and '128 mags – their coverage of the Amiga leaves much to be desired…I
think they will either stay with the 8 bit machines – or hold out like alot
of software developers have to see if Amy lasts before commiting themselves.
Marlene
So far, Amazing Computing and The Amigans have it.. hands down.
So far, Amazing Computing and The Amigans have it.. hands down.
To start the fray, I submit a list of known Amiga mags. Please forgive me if
I forget any…
.
Compute! Now ST crazy, plugging own ST mag
Info Is about half Amiga info lately, right?
Amazing Computing (RRrarara, the crowd goes wild!) The original recipe
Ami Project Tiny tech magazine, small circulation, wacky publisher 🙂
The Amigans Dick Barnes and John "Hack" Toebes, non-profit user group
.
Announced, but never shipped?:
.
AmigaZine – at least two separate magazines announced with this name…
XXXXXXX – I forget the name, a coffee-table mag, with color glossies,
program disk, artist-oriented.
And one or two more disk-based magazines.
.
Along with the critical commentary, I'd like to hear how people perceive each
magazine as being techie or novice, which ones you've seen, which ones you
see or read, which you subscribe to, and suggestions for future expansion.
I think all the publishers of these mags are watching here in some fashion.
Is it feasible for a magazine to be technical-oriented? Doesn't the market
dictate that a novice magazine would do better?
I think every computer user is an up-and-coming novice, in some sense. Even if
they don't understand an article, people will read it, to learn more.
There are those who simply want to get more out of their computer, with the
minimum amount of personal energy, and there are those who realize it will take
a little learning. (And there are those who realize this is a never-ending
search, which becomes a black hole for spending money.)
In this way, I think a magazine with a blend of tech and novice is appealing.
Seems to me that in the case of the Amiga, or any new computer, you're going
to find fewer novices than you'll find with a more established computer,
cause novices will be scared off by the lack of software. I find many fewer
beginners with the Amiga than with other machines. When turnkey software
appears, then turnkey users will appear.
Seems to me that in the case of the Amiga, or any new computer, you're going
to find fewer novices than you'll find with a more established computer,
cause novices will be scared off by the lack of software. I find many fewer
beginners with the Amiga than with other machines. When turnkey software
appears, then turnkey users will appear.
Is it feasible for a magazine to be technical-oriented? Doesn't the market
dictate that a novice magazine would do better?
I think every computer user is an up-and-coming novice, in some sense. Even if
they don't understand an article, people will read it, to learn more.
There are those who simply want to get more out of their computer, with the
minimum amount of personal energy, and there are those who realize it will take
a little learning. (And there are those who realize this is a never-ending
search, which becomes a black hole for spending money.)
In this way, I think a magazine with a blend of tech and novice is appealing.
There is also Amiga World, but that magazine does not compare to the others
available. Besides being filled with glossy pictures and little or no
“information'' it has a publication date/deadline which has it running about
two to three months behind, as far as up to date information. Besides THAT,
despite its insistence that it is NOT run by Commodore, you could have fooled
me. There is nothing but good things to say about every Amiga Product
mentioned in there—(We all know the Amiga's good, but come on… everything
has a FEW problems!)
Ami Project seems to be the best to me, but even they have tapered off in the
last two issues as far as info for new AMiga users. It IS currently running
a fairly good tutorial on C-Programming, but there's a lot of stuff in there
that is not of that much interest to the average user.
Commodore paid CW Communications to produce six issues of Amiga World, under
the condition that CBM had the ultimate editorial control. So, the red cover
issue is the first without the supervision and approval of CBM. This was
reported in the Colmbia Journalism Review as early as last summer, before the
first issue of Amiga World hit the streets.
While it might be in a company's best interests to foster a magazine to promote
a new computer, I think CBM and CW Communications learned a few lessons about
editorial integrity and consumer interest. They took a lot of heat for being
so fluffy, and so biased in their coverage. They are trying to change, of
course, to stay in business.
Commodore paid CW Communications to produce six issues of Amiga World, under
the condition that CBM had the ultimate editorial control. So, the red cover
issue is the first without the supervision and approval of CBM. This was
reported in the Colmbia Journalism Review as early as last summer, before the
first issue of Amiga World hit the streets.
While it might be in a company's best interests to foster a magazine to promote
a new computer, I think CBM and CW Communications learned a few lessons about
editorial integrity and consumer interest. They took a lot of heat for being
so fluffy, and so biased in their coverage. They are trying to change, of
course, to stay in business.
There is also Amiga World, but that magazine does not compare to the others
available. Besides being filled with glossy pictures and little or no
“information'' it has a publication date/deadline which has it running about
two to three months behind, as far as up to date information. Besides THAT,
despite its insistence that it is NOT run by Commodore, you could have fooled
me. There is nothing but good things to say about every Amiga Product
mentioned in there—(We all know the Amiga's good, but come on… everything
has a FEW problems!)
Ami Project seems to be the best to me, but even they have tapered off in the
last two issues as far as info for new AMiga users. It IS currently running
a fairly good tutorial on C-Programming, but there's a lot of stuff in there
that is not of that much interest to the average user.
I'd like to add another magazine to the list … The Transactor. Although
they haven't done much yet on the Amiga, what they have done has been worth
taking a look at (if memory serves me, AmigaBasic programs, but fairly nice
ones). I expect that if they receive mucho good submissions, they will move
smoothly into supporting the Amiga, as they now nicely support the C-64 and
other Commodore computers. By the way, they are a tech/intermediate oriented
magazine. Of the other magazines mentioned, I personally like Ami Project
best, followed very closely by Amazing Computing. I subscribe to both. I
also just received a notice that my subscription to Amiga World will soon
begin. I don't really remember subscribing to it, but it isn't impossible.
It's quality is slowly rising; as to whether it is a Commodore publication,
see page #2 of Vol. #1, issue 2 of Ami Project for evidence that it is.
Anyway, I always feel that it is worth looking at. Given the ease with which
publishing can be done nowdays, I expect to see (and subscribe) to more soon.
… Brian
I'll second the motion for including Transactor. They have done only a few
small articles so far, but will definitely do more when they start receiving
submissions.
To me, Transactor and INFO have always been the best Commodore mags, due
mostly to their honesty, lack of kowtowing to advertisers, and high quality
technical content.
Regards, Larry.
I agree with you. When Compute went into the "beginner's" business a few
years ago, Transactor was the only journal I had access to that consistently
spoke to the intermediate/advanced Commodore computer user. I think they
have weakened slightly over the last year, but I'm still pleased to find a
copy in my mailbox every other month. They will have to slide a lot more
before I would consider dropping my subscription.
I forgot to mention INFO. Since I sold PC's for a time, their reviews
weren't usually news to me, but they always seemed to be on the mark in their
views. And there was always something worth looking at; I usually wound up
buying them. I feel that they have continued to improve and am very
interested that they are apparently going to support the Amiga. If you want
a predominantly review mag, INFO is great.
One more comment. I don't advise anyone to give up on Compute. They're kind
of a lightweight mag now, but they are interested in making money. Their
parent company, ABC, is very interested in making money. I think that
they've make a costly mistake based on the bad information that seems to be
going around and I think that they will rectify it. Then, they'll be worth
watching closely.
After uploading the above message, I went back and read the "which mag"
thread from the beginning and wanted to clarify something I just said. When I
call Compute a "lightweight" mag, I'm not just referring to their
concentration on beginners. That's fine. I'm really a beginner here, too.
But when I was a moderately functional C-64 user, they adopted the beginners
and dropped me. No big deal; I continued my mag subscription, waiting for
everyone to catch up.
It never happened. Instead, every 5 or 6 months, they regurgitated
beginners' info. Pretty much the same stuff every time, too. I got fed up
and dropped. I am leery of ever subscribing to Compute again, I'll waste 6
months of my subscription reading the first six months' worth of data.
Compute Books, however, is another matter. I got a copy of Advanced
AmigaBasic last week. If you don't mind AmigaBasic, and I don't, it is very
nice. I plan on looking carefully at all of their releases; I know they
won't all be good, but they will occasionally put out a good one!
After uploading the above message, I went back and read the "which mag"
thread from the beginning and wanted to clarify something I just said. When I
call Compute a "lightweight" mag, I'm not just referring to their
concentration on beginners. That's fine. I'm really a beginner here, too.
But when I was a moderately functional C-64 user, they adopted the beginners
and dropped me. No big deal; I continued my mag subscription, waiting for
everyone to catch up.
It never happened. Instead, every 5 or 6 months, they regurgitated
beginners' info. Pretty much the same stuff every time, too. I got fed up
and dropped. I am leery of ever subscribing to Compute again, I'll waste 6
months of my subscription reading the first six months' worth of data.
Compute Books, however, is another matter. I got a copy of Advanced
AmigaBasic last week. If you don't mind AmigaBasic, and I don't, it is very
nice. I plan on looking carefully at all of their releases; I know they
won't all be good, but they will occasionally put out a good one!
I agree with you. When Compute went into the "beginner's" business a few
years ago, Transactor was the only journal I had access to that consistently
spoke to the intermediate/advanced Commodore computer user. I think they
have weakened slightly over the last year, but I'm still pleased to find a
copy in my mailbox every other month. They will have to slide a lot more
before I would consider dropping my subscription.
I forgot to mention INFO. Since I sold PC's for a time, their reviews
weren't usually news to me, but they always seemed to be on the mark in their
views. And there was always something worth looking at; I usually wound up
buying them. I feel that they have continued to improve and am very
interested that they are apparently going to support the Amiga. If you want
a predominantly review mag, INFO is great.
One more comment. I don't advise anyone to give up on Compute. They're kind
of a lightweight mag now, but they are interested in making money. Their
parent company, ABC, is very interested in making money. I think that
they've make a costly mistake based on the bad information that seems to be
going around and I think that they will rectify it. Then, they'll be worth
watching closely.
What is this Transactor magazine? I used to be in the C64 software business,
(with Sight & Sound Music Software) and I never heard of it. INFO, I've seen,
but not recent issues. I met them at a CES once upon a time. Is Transactor
Canada-based? I'll trade someone Amazing Computing issues for a copy…
It's an excellent Canadian Commodore-dedicated magazine. Been around since
PET days, medium-to-advanced level and very technically oriented. If you want
I can send you a copy 'on loan' with the next few disks I send you, as long
as you can send it back. May 1986 had several Amiga articles including a
quickreference guide to CLI and AmigaDOS. P.S. I never got AC issues 1,2,3 —
was I eligible for your AMICUS freebie offer? –apl
It's an excellent Canadian Commodore-dedicated magazine. Been around since
PET days, medium-to-advanced level and very technically oriented. If you want
I can send you a copy 'on loan' with the next few disks I send you, as long
as you can send it back. May 1986 had several Amiga articles including a
quickreference guide to CLI and AmigaDOS. P.S. I never got AC issues 1,2,3 —
was I eligible for your AMICUS freebie offer? –apl
John, Transactor is published in Toronto, Ontario, but they have a US address
as well.
Transactor
277 Linwood Ave
Buffalo NY. 14209-9990
The nagazine is billed as being "95% ad free", and is chock full of little
goodies, programs, tech tips, news, etc.
Recently they pulled off a bit of a coup by being the ones to expose the
infamous "SAVE @" bug (written by a contributor) by publishing a program to
prove that it existed, and as if that wasn't enough, they just published an
article showing the patches required to the 1541 ROMs to get rid of the
problem. There magazines have lately been "theme oriented", with more
extensive coverage of certain areas of interest in each issue.
One of the best. Amazing Computing may someday be the "Transactor" of the
Amiga world (as opposed to "Amiga World"), but if Transactor starts Amiga
coverage in greater amount, it will be a struggle.
John, Transactor is published in Toronto, Ontario, but they have a US address
as well.
Transactor
277 Linwood Ave
Buffalo NY. 14209-9990
The nagazine is billed as being "95% ad free", and is chock full of little
goodies, programs, tech tips, news, etc.
Recently they pulled off a bit of a coup by being the ones to expose the
infamous "SAVE @" bug (written by a contributor) by publishing a program to
prove that it existed, and as if that wasn't enough, they just published an
article showing the patches required to the 1541 ROMs to get rid of the
problem. There magazines have lately been "theme oriented", with more
extensive coverage of certain areas of interest in each issue.
One of the best. Amazing Computing may someday be the "Transactor" of the
Amiga world (as opposed to "Amiga World"), but if Transactor starts Amiga
coverage in greater amount, it will be a struggle.
What is this Transactor magazine? I used to be in the C64 software business,
(with Sight & Sound Music Software) and I never heard of it. INFO, I've seen,
but not recent issues. I met them at a CES once upon a time. Is Transactor
Canada-based? I'll trade someone Amazing Computing issues for a copy…
I'll second the motion for including Transactor. They have done only a few
small articles so far, but will definitely do more when they start receiving
submissions.
To me, Transactor and INFO have always been the best Commodore mags, due
mostly to their honesty, lack of kowtowing to advertisers, and high quality
technical content.
Regards, Larry.
I'd like to add another magazine to the list … The Transactor. Although
they haven't done much yet on the Amiga, what they have done has been worth
taking a look at (if memory serves me, AmigaBasic programs, but fairly nice
ones). I expect that if they receive mucho good submissions, they will move
smoothly into supporting the Amiga, as they now nicely support the C-64 and
other Commodore computers. By the way, they are a tech/intermediate oriented
magazine. Of the other magazines mentioned, I personally like Ami Project
best, followed very closely by Amazing Computing. I subscribe to both. I
also just received a notice that my subscription to Amiga World will soon
begin. I don't really remember subscribing to it, but it isn't impossible.
It's quality is slowly rising; as to whether it is a Commodore publication,
see page #2 of Vol. #1, issue 2 of Ami Project for evidence that it is.
Anyway, I always feel that it is worth looking at. Given the ease with which
publishing can be done nowdays, I expect to see (and subscribe) to more soon.
… Brian