kimes@ihlpe.ATT.COM (Kit Kimes) (02/05/88)
The following article is a reprint from Ron Kovacs' national Zmagazine, but is the text from a conference on DELPHI. Kit Kimes AT&T--Information Systems Labs ...ihnp4!ihlpe!kimes ================================================================================ TEXT OF CONFERENCE ON DELPHI REGARDING ANALOG BUYOUT JANUARY 17, 1988 Andy> I'd, first, like to welcome all of you attending this conference. My name is Andy Eddy and I'll be moderating the CO. Lee> First, ANALOG has signed contracts with a publishing company in LA. That company is LFP, Inc....Larry Flynt Publishing. We expect to have the next issues of both mags out in 3 weeks. Let me give a few words about the changes...First...Larry Flynt has little to do with daily operations of the company...as a whole. He will have nothing to do with the editorial contents of either magazine. Changes you will see include new (glossy) paper, a heavier stock inside as well as a heavier cover. More color pages throughout, INCREASED distribution, Much improved service, and a steady frequency. What you won't see is ads for Hustler and the like. LFP, Inc. also publishes a Mens fashion mag, a running mag, a new automobile mag, a motorcycle pub and a Heavy Metal mag. With many more non- pornography titles on the way. Andy> Thanks, Lee. So the fears..that this will be anything like..Hustler will not materialize. This will remain the same Analog as before..but with some changes in the "production" end..not the editorial. Lee> OK. There WILL be changes.. Because I won't have to deal with such things (as much, anyway) as distribution...subscription problems, and production, I can spend more time on editorial...that goes for Clayton as well. Andy> So you don't see anything but beneficial changes for the mags? Lee> Actually, let me say this...the only way someone will know we are owned by another company is a small blurb on the staff page. As far as changes go, I expect an even more steady stream of quality editorial since it will be the main direction of our time working on the mags. Maurice M.> Okay. I want to get this subject out of the way now especially in light of recent messages in the forum. Certain people have hinted that there will be changes in the magazine because of whom the ownership is. The point, I think has been refuted. However, DF Scott has in recent messages hinted that several of us writers were in a "dilemma" over the ownership change and might no longer write for ANALOG. I would like to put to rest any fears readers might have about mass-defection of writers by asking you, Lee, if you are aware of any other regulars "leaving" because of this ownership change. Lee> No, not at this time. Let me respond to your comments. While I don't whole heartedly agree with Larry Flynts views. I am looking at what that company can do for our magazines. They don't know ANYTHING about what we publish, they (LFP, Inc) are leaving us alone in what we do. To them profit is what they want, editorial content is 100% up to what we do. They'll make the magazine look better, distribute it better, and put out a quality looking product, it's still up to me, Clayton, Maurice, Charles Johnson, Andy Eddy, MAtRat and the rest to put out a good magazine in product. To answer Maurice's question, other than Scott, no one has more than batted an eyelash over the buyout in terms of who it is. After the initial shock wears off on the buyer's name, they settled in and want to get back to work. Maurice M.> Good to hear. I simply wanted to address the subject because I wanted people to be aware that Scott didn't speak for all of us. I'll step down now. Lee> Last Monday is when Michael Des Chenes and I signed. We are waiting to get them back from LA now then it will be official. Clay> Anyone who is interested in the terms of publication and how to submit articles may send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope and I'll see that you get our writer's guidelines. You can send requests to the PO Box 23 address in the magazines for now. Andy> Also with Analog's liberal policy of letting programs go onto BBS's after 1 month from issue date (that is right?), everyone gets to see the stuff they publish. Clay> Yes, Andy. Mike Brown> Will we be able to get back issues of both magazines and disks as in the past? Or will these "Classic" issues become collectors items? Lee> Yes! LFP, Inc is purchasing our entire supply of back issues. Including disks, 8-bit Extra's and so on. We expect to offer disks at a lower price and the availability should be MUCH better. JIMGAR> Thanks. My burning question is WHY???? Wasn't Analog a profitable venture? Lee> WHY is a complex question. First - WHY NOT? ANALOG was myself and a partner, Michael Des Chenes. As you may have noticed, Michael never spent much time on Delphi and while I have gone to over 100 Atari shows and ComDex's, etc., he has not. Michael has been bored doing the same thing for 7 years and wants to try something new. In addition, I couldn't see the company growing much further the way things have been, so this gives us a chance to expand greatly....plus I'll be working on new publications, both computer and non-computer related in the next few years. Also, LFP, Inc. offered us a very good deal...and who really knows how long Atari will keep going. This way I can expand on my interests and do other things along with the Atari field -- after all, I have been doing the for 7 years. A long time! JIMGAR> In other words, the whole thing got out of hand? Clay> A company can only grow within the facilities it has at hand. Lee> Right...We needed to expand, and as do airlines, insurance companies and so on. We were bought out to expand our capabilities. WHITEWIZARD> you said that the analog depends on the 8-bit...Does this mean that you might stop publishing in the future if the 8-bit fails (ANALOG, not ST-Log)? Lee> ANALOG depends on the 8-bit market ...Lets say that advertising right now isn't overwhelming and ANALOG would most likely take a new heading (orientation) in the event 8-bits REALLY dwindle. I could see a change happening probably this year some time... WHITEWIZARD> Would you combine ANALOG and ST-Log again? Lee> Again, it is mostly up to the ANALOG staff, not LFP, Inc. Yes, I could see us doing one mag--but here is the problem. The ANALOG name is the best known, if we put in ST-Log then the mag becomes a general Atari mag again. If we kill ANALOG and continue ST-Log...well ANALOG has the more known name and that would be a mistake. Chances are ST-Log might have some 8-bit coverage...but that is all up in the air right now. When we are in place after a couple months we'll look at the whole picture. MADMODIFIER> With many software publishers spreading out to the Amiga..... Is there any chance that Analog might do the same? Lee> I have plans to do another computer oriented mag but can't say much (exactly nothing) about it. MADMODIFIER> You mean we might see AMIGA LOG <grin>? Lee> No Comment. But I hope to have a new project out in late Spring. Mike Brown> I would like to suggest that you run some type of a readership poll in your first new issue to determine what your readership looks like now. Lee> Huh...in what way? Between ST and 8-bit? Mike Brown> Well I imagine that the complexion of the readership has changed somewhat. It might be worthwhile from a marketing standpoint. Lee> You mean between 8-bit and ST??? Sophistication? Mike Brown> Well that and just what people are interested in reading about. What their needs are "today". Lee> We have the "bingo" cards in the mag every month and poll those to see what people are using...however we have talked about doing another mail- in campaign...a more in-depth look. Remember that Delphi users are more into their machines than many other average users. Mike Brown> Maybe, but I guess my point was that at least in the 3 user groups I belong to things are in a state of "change". STeve M.> What direction will ST Log be taking in terms of content? General readership, programming, or what? Clay> I can't see much that will change in ST-Log. Is there something you WANT to see changed? STeve M.> No, just was hoping there were not going to be any drastic changes now. Thanks. Lee> I feel we have a good balance of information, sophistication and programs. I think Clayton, myself and our new west coast person will have more time to look at each issue well in advance and look at it's contents to see what blend of information it has...thus boosting the magazines quality...(not that it needs boosting <grin>) in addition, hopefully we'll add more pages too. Clay> The combination we've had in the past has worked out well, I think. I don't see any reason to change it. (More pages would be nice.) Lee> No, I certainly haven't seen any complaints about the balance of material. Keep in mind that I'm moving from New England (fresh air, no traffic, nice scenery) to LA (smog, Lots of Traffic and more smog) for the CAUSE. In other words...If I didn't see a tremendous potential in this I wouldn't do it!