1994 by GEnie ========================================================================== This file is brought to you by The Commodore 64/128 RoundTable on GEnie This file may be published or excerpted in User Group newsletters providing credit is given in this manner: "Copyright 1994 by GEnie From the Commodore 64/128 RoundTable File#:#####" This file maybe be distributed, if distributed whole and unaltered, on , croll, uit ? non-profit BBSs or non-profit networks. For more information on GEnie call by modem: 1-800-638-8369 (8-N-1 300/1200/2400) Enter: HHH Then reply: xtx99018,commrt Then enter: Commodore And enjoy! ========================================================================== The Commodore RT had a special treat when it had a combined Creative Micro Designs and Commodore World Conference on Tuesday, August 24, 1994. Mark Fellows,the President of CMD, who made his first appearance on GEnie was there as well as Doug Cotton,the editor of the Commodore World magazine. The group was rounded out with two writers for Commodore World magazine: Steve VanderArk and Sherry Freedline. This turned out to be the biggest attended conference in years as users poured into the cybernetic room. The conference covered six topics which generated large numbers of questions from the audience. This resulted in a conference that went beyond its intentional three hour limit, with users staying after 2 a.m.. This conference was hosted by GEOS-TIM [Tim Hewelt], with transcript capture and editing chores going to THE.OUTLAW [Cameron Stewart]. C128.QT.PIE [Sherry Freedline] wore two hats: as a guest speaker and as a behind the scenes greeter and information facilitator. You are in for a special experience, enjoy the transcript. :) -Tim ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 2 of the conference. -------------------------- Commodore World the new magazine on the Commodore Scene Tonight we have three guests from the staff of Commodore World. Doug Cotton, of course, editor of Commodore World and we have two writers for the magazine. Our very own, Sherry Freedline and the now famous writer, Steve Vander Ark. Thanks for coming in this evening A pleasure! <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> ..as always ;) Doug, could you tell us the hows and whys of CMDs decision to start the Commodore World? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Absolutely! :) In many ways, we have our customers to thank for the existance of Commodore World... Many have asked us to do a publication over the years. We had discussed it at length when RUN decided to stop publishing, but we really hoped at that time that Compute's Gazette would step up to the task. It didn't happen, though, and at the end of last year, Gazette announced that they were going to become a disk-based magazine. At that point, we determined that this market needed a print magazine, and we also knew many of the writers that had written for the other mags. In addition, we had some knowledge of desktop publishing, and some strong feelings about what other magazines had been missing. So, after a lot of discussion, we decided to go ahead with it. END Sherry, this is your first experience writing for a magazine, isn't it? <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> Yes it is. Though I have written a few articles for newsletters. END Was the satisfaction of seeing you words in print any different than the stories in the newsletters? <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> Yes, it was alot different... I feel very privileged to be in the company of people such as Steve END ! ** <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> was . <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> ::Getting Steve a larger hat:: I know you made the Commodore RT proud that you are one of the staff here. Steve, you have written for other publications. How can you characterize your experience with Commodore World? Or should I say how would you characterize. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Doug and I have known each other for a few years now, and we have a good relationship (at least i think we do) so it has been a special pleasure to work on this magazine. END BTW Steve, did you happen to know Doug when he was living in Michigan? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Guess this means I can't whip him anymore... LOL <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> Giggle <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Thanks goodness, no. LOL <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> That's kind of funny in a way... <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> He used to belong to the local users group, but that was long before I became a member. Doug does smell sort of odd though. Like very old mashed potatoes. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Exactly... and I'd left for CMD before Steve got involved there. Also, we grew up within a couple of miles of each other. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> But never knew each other. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> He went to the same school as my sister... but they never met either (years apart). Doug, is the success of the magazine about what you expected it to be? He could have been your brother in law. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> ::cold shiver:: <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> ::shudder:: Yes. In fact, we it's been very much what we expected. We planned to start small and slowly... and grow into it. And that is what we've been doing. After all, we needed to get used to publishing a magazine vs. manuals... Brenda Gann has a question. <[Brenda] B.GANN1> Do you think CW will ever go to the newstands? <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> DieHard just did, BTW. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> I would, at this point, consider it an eventuality. That goes back to starting small. It's a mistake to jump right into newstands unless you want to throw a lot of money at it. <[Brenda] B.GANN1> Ok, but not for a while yet anyway. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> This is exactly what dieHard did... they got established first, and worked their way up to this. That's correct. First we have to learn to stay on a schedule! :) We're getting better at that, but it takes time. Doug, I heard that is the toughest part :D <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> It certainly is, and especially is the case with us, where we already have jobs that are MORE than full -time... The magazine adds another full-time job to my already overloaded schedule...but call me a glutton for punishment. Steve does. :) <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Time to hire? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> We're actually hiring two more writers to help ease things a bit. They should show up around issue 5. Rob Knop, famous Commodore World reader has a question. <[Rob] R.KNOP1> Hee hee... actually, I hvaen't seen C= world yet :/ Future Famous Commodore World reader <[Rob] R.KNOP1> ...There we go! My question, which might be tactless: what hardware and software do you use to publish it? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Heh, we published that list in Issue 2 Rob! :) <[Rob] R.KNOP1> (I've really been out of it this last year) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Well, we do almost all of it on Macintosh computers... just because it's especially well equipted for desktop publishing, which makes the job more efficient. We could do it on a Commodore, but it would indeed take more time, and that is something we can't afford to take more of. <[Rob] R.KNOP1> Gotcha. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Currently the whole issue is done on a Mac Quadra 650 (33 MHz 68040) with 16 MB of RAM, 540 MB HD, 240 MB add-on HD, a Microtek IISP 24 bit color scanner, an 88 MB Syquest drive, and a ComputerEyes video digitizer. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Just like my 64, only a little faster. <[Rob] R.KNOP1> A Mac on steroids in other words. (Well, pre-PowerPC Mac on steriods) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Correct Rob. I mostly use Pagemaker and Adobe Photoshop for software. each of which costs more than a good used C-64 system with a ramlink ;) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> One issue of Commdore World takes up approximate 60-70 MB of space. <[Rob] R.KNOP1> 60 MEG?????? <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> And that's just my stuff pre-editting LOL <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Yep. Most of that is graphics. The cover alone runs 30-40 MB. <[Rob] R.KNOP1> OIC... Yeah, that makes sense then. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> In fact, just the background image you see on the cover takes 33 MB. Naturally, if we did this on a Commdore, we'd do things a lot differently. <[Rob] R.KNOP1> Function over form, though. If you get the infomration out better, it is good to use the more powerful tools. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Doug, when will we see a spiffy picture of you next to the opening buit? <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> Yep, right on the Editor's page would look real nice :) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Me? Hopefully never. I wouldn't want to make any husbands lose their wives. :) <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> or lunch. <[Rob] R.KNOP1> Nothing impure, as long as your heart is with the 64/128, right? <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> LOL! <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Exactly. And we do obviously use the 64 and 128 to do certain things, like the program listings. then scan the listings into the magazine? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Actually we do a translation with a series of program to put the text directly into the Mac. ::grin:: Brenda Gann has another question.:D <[Brenda] B.GANN1> well, actually it got answered... but I'll make another one up ;) We can get back to you in a minute, Brenda <[Brenda] B.GANN1> Are there any plans to increase the size? of CW that is. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Well, I think you've only seen Issue 1, right? Heh, I weigh enough, thank you. :) <[Brenda] B.GANN1> Yeah, not saying its small just being hopeful... <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Issue 1 was 44 pages (not including the cover). Issue 2 and 3 are both 56 pages, so I guess we already have! :) <[Brenda] B.GANN1> ok, thanks. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> The newer issues are also a slightly larger format, and use a little tighter font, so you get more yet. Mitron has a question. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> We're now within ten pages of the size of Amiga World. <[Mitron] M.BENDURE> Not to complain, but why not use an Amiga or does that fall in line with using 64? for CW that is.. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> The reason is because the Mac has the tools for desktop publishing. The Amiga is a good choice for desktop video... But the software selection and support for the Amiga is slim. Also, our office is full of networked Macs... So we already had been working with these. <[Mitron] M.BENDURE> I was under the impression the Amiga had some good tools for that as well. That explains it.. :) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Well, PageStream isn't bad, but it isn't Pagemaker. Also, try taking a PageStream file down to your local printer, and see what he does... The electronic publishing industry as a whole is pretty much Mac-minded. If I find an error, or our printer finds an error, I can have them fix it on the spot... These things all combine to make using the Mac a pretty logical choice in getting those issues out as quickly as we can. almost all publishers use a MAC for printing, even USA today. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> And we feel that is the most import thing, next to the content. All that aside, when I sit down to program, I don't sit at a Mac. :) Gaelyne Moranec, Editor of Cee64 Alive, has a question. <[Gaelyne] G.MORANEC> What's the current circulation, and who are your new writers and what are their field(s) of interest(s) ?? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> I don't know the exact numbers offhand, but I believe we're somewhere between 3000-4000. So we've managed to average about 1000 new subscribers per issue. <[Gaelyne] G.MORANEC> Not bad! <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Now, this is without doing any real 'push', though we're about to do that with a 30,000 piece mailing. The new authors... well it may be a little premature, but we're working with Jim Butterfield and John Leeson to come on board. Both have given initial nods. Excellent <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> John is a bright guy who ran the Programmers area on Q, and most of you know who Jim is. :) <[Gaelyne] G.MORANEC> :) Nice report of his visit here, BTW. Ah, Gaelyne asked my next question. Tony Perotti has a question. <[Tony] A.PEROTTI> Is Commodore World soliciting submissions? Or do you have enough in the works to last? What kind of participation would you like from the user community? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> It's expected that John will take over the Advanced Techniques column, and Jim is considering taking over the Peripheral Vision column. We are Tony, and in fact I have yours. :) <[Tony] A.PEROTTI> GREAT!!! <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> I'll be getting in touch with you personally on that. :) <[Tony] A.PEROTTI> Thanks! <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Getting back to the subscriptions, we fully plan to get that up to around 10,000 minimum by years end. Bill Chachkes has a question <[Bill/BUG V.P] W.CHACHKES> Doug,..even though Tony asked part of my question,..what about the user groups,..what support would you look to cultivate from groups like mine?? and would you take submissions from our aritcle library? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> That's a tough one, Bill. Actually, we want to do things to help the groups such as let people know more about you. We're planning something along the lines of a UG column with articles by and about user groups... this would be in addition to the section we already have that gives User Group names and addresses. This additional column is planned for our next expansion, which is tied into certain subscription numbers being reached. <[Bill/BUG V.P] W.CHACHKES> So you want us to send you our new address??(the bbs # is still the same!) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> As for articles from user group 'libraries', we'll look, but generally we like to 'buy' the rights to anything we publish so that there are no problems in the future with reprints and compilations. <[Bill/BUG V.P] W.CHACHKES> ok,..thanks,..(end) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> You should indeed update us. The magazine asks that all groups send in specific info, though, so check an issue if you have one. Each group that sends us this info gets the next issue sent to them, to show to their members. This saves us from sending them out all over to groups or addresses that are no longer valid. Plus it serves (hopefully) as a slight enticement for groups to send in current info. :) END Nick Rossi has a question. <[Nick] N.ROSSI> What's your submission policy / offered rates on articles? And what are your advertising rates? :) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> The advertising rates are fairly inexpensive, but I don't have those in front of me. Best thing to do to get those is call or write to Charlie Christianson at CMD, who handles all the advertising. <[Nick] N.ROSSI> E-mail? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Charlie isn't online anywhere, so real mail is preferred, yes. Though I usually can pass email on to him, provided I manage to find time to get online during the day... which can sometimes be hard. Feel free to do that, it just might take a little longer than you might expect for email. As for submission rates, that varies. But standard rate is about $75 a page... it's actually based on words, but it comes out to around that amount per page. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> So big mouths like me who arite a LOT of words get more money, right Doug? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Actully, we pay more to Steve when he shuts up... but that's another story. :) LOL <[Nick] N.ROSSI> :) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Before we go much farther, I do want to say this... I'm extremely pleased with the writers that we have working for us. They've all done a superb job in helping us get CW off the ground, and we couldn't have done it without their knowledge, insight, and good writing. Gizmos Wedel has a question. <[Gizmo] R.WEDEL> Doug, are all back issues still available? Thanx for dropping in tonight! :) <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Okay, yes, currently all back issues are available... but I wouldn't count on that beyond the end of the year, and it's very likely they'll be gone before that. <[Gizmo] R.WEDEL> What is the current issue #? Thanks. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Issue 3 is the current one, and should be shipping by this time next week. Anybody attempting to subscribe right now will start with Issue 4. Our mailing is now being handled by an outside service (to free up our time), and we have to submit the subscriber list a few days in advance. We mailed Issue's 1 and 2 ourselves, but it's getting too big to do that now. Brenda Gann has a question. <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Yep, she usually does! :) LOL <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> But we love her anyway. :) <[Brenda] B.GANN1> Um, it got answered again... and I was talking to Steve so I forgot my other one anyway :) LOL, That Steve is a rascal <[Brenda] B.GANN1> aww thanks <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Heh, now if we could just deliver mags before they were printed... :) <[Brenda] B.GANN1> Is there a music column in CW? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> No, but there is indeed a music issue planned. <[Brenda] B.GANN1> kual. Cept you can't push Stereo sid cart anymore... end <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Well, there's actually a chance that the SID will be making a comeback. I'll know more about that in a couple of weeks. <[Brenda] B.GANN1> Cause that other lawsuit lost? <[D.Cotton] CMD-DOUG> Not per se, but there's just been a lot of interest again, plus something else in the works. I would like to thank the Commodore World staff for coming in. We are way past the 1 o clock bewitching hour. It was a great conference. <[Tony] A.PEROTTI> Thanks for a GREAT conference. 0415 is going to come way too early!!! But it was worth it!!! <[Nick] N.ROSSI> That was one crazy hella kool conf dudez! ;) Thanks you for coming, everyone <[Bill/BUG V.P] W.CHACHKES> grea conference <[Sherry F] C128-QT.PIE> Good Night everyone! <[Bill/BUG V.P] W.CHACHKES> Doug,..i'll be in touch <[Brenda] B.GANN1> thanks for the conference Good bye Doug,thanks for the conference. <[Nick] N.ROSSI> Thanks for a great conference!