From the Publisher
Volume Number: 15 (1999)
Issue Number: 7
Column Tag: A Word From Our Publisher
From the Publisher
By Neil Ticktin <publisher@mactech.com>
As a MacTech reader looking at this issue, you may say to yourself "What are these extra pages and articles?". As a NetProfessional reader, you may say to yourself "I don't remember subscribing to MacTech?" The answer is, of course, easy - MacTech and NetProfessional magazines have merged. As part of my duties as Publisher, I'm fortunate - I get to tell you why!
Over the past year or so, a couple of things have become very clear. MacTech readers want to know about Internet related issues. NetProfessional readers want to focus primarily on issues surrounding the Mac OS. With that in mind, it's become very obvious that the best way to serve our readers needs was to merge the two publications. And, it's best for the magazine as well.
Hence, MacTech is expanding its page count and coverage providing solutions, solving problems, embracing and exploring new technologies. In short, MacTech will live up to its name more than ever. A larger, more jam-packed information resource with the best technical Macintosh content available.
But, what does this mean to me?
Today, more than ever, Macintosh technology is taking off and expanding into new directions. MacTech has been covering Mac development issues since 1984 and we want to expand our coverage to include the new opportunities appearing.
In addition to our regular coverage of programming techniques, tools, and events, we'll be exploring new developer opportunities on the world wide web, new Apple technologies at the hardware and system level, and more. With the help of new staff from NetProfessional and beyond, MacTech will be bringing you all the technologies that make the Macintosh unique.
For MacTech Readers
So you like MacTech as is. No problem - MacTech isn't changing so much as it is growing. Take this issue. There are a whole slew of extra articles and pages. It's not a matter of replacing the content you love, but supplementing it with related content. Again, If you have any issues or questions, contact our helpful staff at custservice@mactech.com.
For NetProfessional Readers
If you are a former reader of NetProfessional, you will get one issue of MacTech for each issue that you have remaining on your subscription. If you were already a MacTech reader, the extra copies were added on to the end of your MacTech subscription.
Look at your mailing label - this has already happened starting with this issue. You can see your new expiration date. If you have any questions, contact our helpful staff at custservice@mactech.com
We especially invite readers new to MacTech to take a look at the variety of articles that have long been in the magazine. For example, Getting Started is for those new to programming. Programmer's Challenge is for programmers that want to see how tight they can write their code. From the Factory Floor contains interviews with key people in our industry (from Avie to Woz). And of course, there's all kinds of interesting articles - helping you to explore the depths of the machine that we all love so much.
How do things change?
First, the combined magazine will be called MacTech - after all, MacTech's been around for almost 15 years now. MacTech can now be described as "the journal of Macintosh technology and development".
Second, you should expect to see the same type of programming articles as you have in the past, but also web and content development, network administration, and other Macintosh technical topics.
Finally, MacTech will now be brought to you by not only the entire MacTech staff, but also much of the NetProfessional editorial board. This group will continue to evolve over time.
The Mac is a Powerful Machine
Most of us already realize that the Mac is a very powerful machine - it can do just about anything. With Mac OS X, Linux, consumer portables, and more coming ... we're breaking down all the barriers in getting you the technical information you need to develop on the Mac ... no matter what kind of developer you are.
We hope this helps all of our readers to review the possibilities of what you can do, pushing the envelope, and making the Mac the best platform out there.
What Else is New?
There's lots going on around here. For example, if you aren't already looking at the MacTech web site <http://www.mactech.com>, you should. There's over 4000 pages of developer information there - and soon, NetProfessional content will be merged in. And, if you aren't getting enough developer and technology news, subscribe to MacDev-1 - MacTech's listserv.
You should also check out the new MacTech CD which not only has new MacTech content on it, but also includes a utility giving you access to updated Mac OS API calls for THINK Reference[TM].
Talk to Us
As always, we really want to hear from you. We want to know what you like and what you don't like. Send us email at letters@mactech.com - and the entire team will see it. Or, if you want to write something to me privately ... you can do so at publisher@mactech.com. I may not reply to every message, but I do promise to read every one.
