ZX-News #47 02 апреля 1999

Пресса

Opinion - On the state of the domestic zhurnalostroeniya: illusion under magazine titles.

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  Introducing an article on the state of the domestic 
zhurnalostroeniya. Touched upon dotatochno serious and 
interesting, but to someone thought it was printed

due to lack of materials, we specifically
put it in a surround room ZX-News. :)


  Their views and comments send to the editor, we will publish 
them with pleasure (if the remark about the purpose of writing 
in print) on the pages of this rubric.

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(C) 1999 by JEDI Provocative


  -= The illusion called "magazine" =

  Let's start with the concepts. What is the
magazine? It's something kind of publications appearing n e p 
and e and h on N, ie with a stable schedule of rooms. 
Everything else that does not fit this definition - no 
magazines, and on the b of p H and K and materials under the 
series title. 


  What is the difference between the contents of the collection
or, in other words, the anthology from the magazine? The fact 
that it placed the "cold" materials such as promoting the 
programming guide for the Exploration of the codes description 
of complex games, etc. - Ie capital background articles. The 
journal also published the "hot" articles covering

society, in which he goes. This
in the first place (because the content is addressed to the 
ordinary user) Publication "Prohodilok" new and exciting games, 
a wide overview of new products software - mind you, these 
articles should be no less than 60-70% of total volume of 
material; explain the various projects, etc. And, what is most 
important is in second place after the game articles -

active correspondence and collaboration with readers.


  Try to understand why current
Publication hang in the balance of death.


  As you may have guessed, the first
least because it is actually Russian electronic journals in the 
true sense of the word n ​​e t - there is only

almanacs under some serial title. This is the main reason for 
the unpopularity (And therefore of little profit) of our 
magazines. By the way, about the price: the reader pays 50% of 
the magazine just for him regularity of the withdrawal. Why 
should he lay out money for a questionable collection, which 
does not support it (Reader), the world interest?



  And now "proedemsya" on the content of today's magazines to 
find out their mistakes and suggest the correct version of the 
theme papers. From the game section of maximum that are able to 
squeeze our books - this is publish one or two descriptions of 
games (often low), a couple of short stories, too low-grade, by 
the way, a real, computer story is not a fantasy player, but 
rather a complex article, where the art form predpodnosyatsya 
consecutive game action and provides background information 
such as maps, passwords and etc. Overview of new products 
software is placed far every issue, and if published,

then on the newspaper level. Why? And you know,
h t on a review of coffee? This is
first award of a
program special brand icon
magazine, which is the equivalent thereof. Such in our 
publications and did not exist. Next the system partition - 
this is the only Material in our journals, which is always

at a high level. That is to say, a spoon of honey
in a vat of tar. Then again the following article
published under section like "misc", in
which pits a variety of computers,
philosophize about the issues in theory and so
n. - in general, what the authors of the journal fill an empty 
seat. By the way, principled reader because of this lack of 
respect may even refuse to buy! 


  We now turn to the main problem of our publications, which 
editors do not get tired to scream: no activity among the 
readers, no Correspondents - hence, the absence of letters, ie, 
the link through which the journal can communicate with readers 
and receive 50% of the material. Of course, they blame it on 
anybody, but not themselves. Meanwhile, the chief law 
entrepreneur is this: You should always start with yourself, 
even if someone is not right - talk sense it is not words but 
deeds. But back to the to the problem - or rather, to address 
it. 


  So the problem is "A": no letters. And why
reader to write in the journal, not knowing when,
a month or a year, will have a new number?
If he does come out ... Problem B:
No material from the readers. Firstly,
see above, and secondly, where the fees? Why are some journals 
are rewarded for Article toll-free number instead of money

(At least $ 1-1.5 per article)? There are two main reasons for 
the lack of correspondence. In Among the other can be called a 
lack of reply to every letter (naturally,

If the mail, if the reverse
envelope), and by the reluctance to start a correspondence with 
creative teams. 


  To summarize. What should be the Spectrum magazine and how to 
conduct his policies? Here is a rough strategy for the creators 
of a new magazine. 

 1) Strictly follow the planned schedule
the release of new numbers and honestly inform
in an advertising campaign, how much will it issues a year.

 2) The magazine must publish or traders
or those who have extensive links with the creative world, and 
may in the initial stages to invest some money to pay for

quality articles.

 3) The wording should be known Spectrum society people who 
could would be created on behalf of the magazine to start

active correspondence with prospective authors of articles.

 4) Have access to a count of computer networks, that required 
a minimum: Internet, FidoNet, ZXNet. Have mail

address and telephone number where could ask
ordinary reader.

 5) Articles on gaming themes should be
not less than fifty percent of the total
volume. An ideal variant content: 50%
- Games, 10% - sistemki, 15% - Programming, 5% - iron. The rest 
- letters, interviews, and advertising.


 6) Be flexible fees.


  It has six core principles. When
failure of at least one of them collapses the whole system. 
Most of these law to only Spectrofon - the result is obvious 
even in the incarnation nenekotoryh of them: a huge populyarnot 
readers and the largest number of rooms from all 
Russian-language electronic journals. 



  Today there was an interesting situation:
spektrumisty those who have talent, "writers," realize their 
potential in the free e-newspapers. Due to lack of material 
support to these papers include non-periodicity, which is why 
they are not illuminate the world of the Spectrum. Therefore, 
free the press should strive, as it may be difficult to 
periodicity, so find a living thread that connects fellow hobby.



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