Tech Directions - August 2007 - (Page 16) mastering computers 2 Reid Goldsborough reidgold@netaxs.com Other Sources of Computer News and Views I attempt in this column to give Tech Directions readers helpful information and advice about computers and the Internet. But the world of information technology is as varied as it is complex, and there are plenty of other places to look for news and tips as well. tions, available by subscription for free to professionals who buy computer products in quantity and meet other criteria. Computer magazines, like many institutions, are useful but imperfect. Readers sometimes express concern that companies that advertise in those magazines receive favorable mention in reviews and other articles. The best computer publications take pains to prevent advertising from influencing editorial, referring to this in terms such as the “separation of church and state.” The World of Computer Magazines Computer magazines and their online kin are one such place. Hundreds of different computer publications, national and local, generalinterest and specialized, crave your attention. Some are newsstand magazines, available at your local bookstore and by subscription; others are “controlled circulation” publica- tion general-interest computer magazine took in trying to preserve editorial independence. In May 2007, Harry McCracken resigned after 12 years at PC World because of alleged pressure from the magazine’s management to soften or avoid altogether articles and reviews critical of major advertisers. PC World’s success has largely resulted from its willingness to sometimes express brutal honesty in its reviews and feature stories, even in discussing products sold by companies that advertised in it. It consequently built a cadre of loyal readers who valued its honesty and integrity. This year, the magazine won a Maggie award for best computer magazine, the latest of many such awards. Competition from the Internet But PC World, like many other print publications, has struggled in recent years to retain advertising revenue in an increasingly fragmented publishing world where the new kid on the block, the Internet, is Editorial Independence The biggest news recently about computer news was a stand that the editor-in-chief of the leading circula- 16 techdirections ◆ AUGUST 2007 http://www.testequipmentdepot.com http://www.testequipmentdepot.com
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