 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial David Jitts |
It was a nice break. Thank you, John, for producing the last Edition. For those of you who don't know, John Wilkins also created the artwork for the hard copy public domain software catalogue which has been, finally, mailed with this issue. Once again, a million apologies for the failure to get it out last time. The artistry on the front covers of the February and this issue are also from the computer of John. I will not mention the brand name of its manufacturer. If anyone else fancies themselves as a Picasso with a computer, their offerings would be much appreciated.
The evolution of the PC Update format continues. See how I bow to John's professionalism and adopt his ideas each time he has a turn at producing this rag. The next project is to get a glossy colour cover but to make this financially viable, we need sponsors who are willing to commit themselves to some advertising. Mike Brudenall, of Confratel, has agreed to tackle the task of finding these sponsors.
Ian Burrell has commenced work on a subject index for past copies of PC Update using a public domain program called FILEIT, Haven't had time to look at your sample, Ian, but will do so and be in touch.
I have noticed a new trend in the offerings from members which is really quite exciting. After all these years, there is, for the first time, the emergence of reader interaction. We are publishing this month an article on Lithium Batteries in response to a Random Access question. Bruce Hooley's article on INSTANT RECALL stung Ray Watson to leap to the defence of his beloved AskSam. Another one is the championing of FINGER PAINT by Terry Day (see Byte Box) against the onslaught of Norman Hemingway. Lastly, that well known Fortran lover, Alan Miller, shows Tony
Rogers how to program in that antedeluvian language! It is marvellous, please keep it up. A bit of healthy and constructive controversy is the very essence of what we are all about. The in the co-operation between User Groups across State boundaries since we have invited every other State, particularly the Sydney Group, to send along a representative to join us at the Stand. Our initiative in this matter may well prove to be the catalyst that produces a more formal and regular association in the future. That is my fervent hope.
Please remember that Melbourne's PC88 Show will be around in June and I am sure that Tom Coleman will be jumping up and down pretty soon, calling for volunteers to man that stand. Wouldn't it be lovely if some of our colleagues from other States came to help us in that one also.
The question of a permanent home for Melb PC has taken a back seat for the moment which, in my personal view, is a bit unfortunate because there are so many benefits that would flow from such a move. So I'll just keep on nagging until we do something about it or I get shot for trying!
On the money side, the Treasurer has indicated that he will introduce a formal budget in the near future. Rest assured that it will be published just as soon as it is ratified by the Committee. I guess we all want to know that our dough is being wisely spent.
Reprinted from the March 1988 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
