 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial Carol Daniels cad@melbpc.org.au |
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One of our regular contributors - who in the past has worn an editor's hat - recently wrote to me about themes, not the themes we use, or try to use, to shape each issue, but themes in editors' messages to their readers.
Even though I've only been in this chair for a short time, the theme of this month's editorial will be familiar to regular readers, it's a "CD" classic, or mouldy-oldie, depending on your point of view. Do keep reading though. This month's offering contains some variations on the theme I call Help wanted.
Contributors
As always, we need people to write for PC Update - about all the aspects of computers and computing that interest our members. Previous calls for new contributors have been successful. Most readers will have noticed new names in recent issues, but we always need more.
The only way we can cover a wider variety of subjects is with more contributors. I've been pleased with the number of submissions from computing newbies. Now I'd like to see their efforts matched by members with intermediate and advanced skills.
Don't worry about producing the definitive article about (insert your area of interest). We're looking for short articles about computer related subjects that interest you.
Subeditors
If you don't feel up to writing - but you have a good understanding of the English language, an eye for detail and some editing or subediting experience - you might rather join us as a subeditor.
The work isn't onerous but it needs to be done every month, and done on time. We try to enjoy ourselves - and usually succeed - but this is not a responsibility to be undertaken lightly. If you join the team, we'll be depending on you.
You'll need to have a modem, or be planning to get one in the near future. You'll also have to be comfortable using the BBS -to upload and download files - or willing to learn how to do so, quickly. This is a necessity, without modems we wouldn't be able to get the magazine out on time, with our tight schedule, it's the only practical way to work.
If you'd like to become a subeditor, or if you just want to find out more about what being a subeditor entails, drop me a note. Include a short outline of your experience or background. I'll contact you to discuss the details.
Note to all previous subeditors. Due to inactivity, everyone who wants to be considered for the subediting team will need to reapply.
Reviewers
We are in danger of wearing out our current crop of reviewers. That's some thing we can't afford to do. So we are inviting members to apply to be on our list of reviewers. Although we will be asking you to nominate areas of special interest and expertise, we can't guarantee that products for review will correspond to your preferences. We try to match reviewers' interests with products, but it's not always possible. Reviewers must be willing to review what they are assigned.
You need to know that the entry-level system for reviewers is a 486 (or better) machine, with 16 MB (or more) RAM, a CD-ROM and Windows 3.x, Windows NT, Windows 95 or O/S2. These requirements are based on current software releases, as a glance at any recent software advertisement will confirm.
If you want to apply, submit a sample review of a commercial program you own or use at work, or a shareware program you have used. Along with the review, submit a separate text file describing your area(s) of interest amd/or expertise and your computer system. If you want us to consider your sample for publication, pick a program we haven't reviewed already.
Before you start writing, download and read a copy of the PC Update style guide. You'll find instructions for doing this, and for submitting your work, in The fine print section of each issue. After you've read the style guide, look closely at some reviews from a recent issue of PC Update. Then write your review.
It's obvious from those instructions that we are looking for reviews that fit our format and conform to our style guidelines. From that group of submissions, we'll consider those from current contributors first, however, reviewers who are not already contributors will also be considered.
Review policy
PC Update has a strict review policy. Only the Managing Editor or the Editor can solicit product for review in PC Update. Product includes books, software, hardware and computer accessories or services.
Members must not approach suppliers to obtain product for review or claim that they can place a review in PC Update.
Send submissions or questions to me via:
- Snail mail: c/- Melb PC, PO Box 283, South Melbourne VIC 3205
- BBS: messages in the PC Update discussion area, files in file area PCUP
- Internet: (messages only) to cad@melbpc.org.au or editor@melbpc.org.au
- Snail mail: c/- Melb PC, PO Box 283, South Melbourne VIC 3205
- BBS: Upload files to file area PCUP, with a message to All pointing to the review, in area PC Update discussion area.
It has been claimed that Ash's VGA column last month contained "inaccurate reporting" in that "800+" people did not attend the July monthly meeting.
Unfortunately, a better estimate was not forthcoming from our critic and as I was not at the meeting I can't confirm or deny the number.
Peter Smith and I did, however, meet with Corel representatives on the following day. They were universally pleased with "usual, enthusiastic response" [we have] "grown to expect from Melb PC." And at least one of the Corel representatives remarked to me that "...the room was packed!"
So, in the absence of a better, independent and verifiable number, we are happy to be corrected and revise the estimate to some number of people between 800 and packed.
Reprinted from the September 1996 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
