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I don't think Stan's argument holds.
It's sad that he and maybe his peers have lost interest in the hobby.
I don't know anyone that builds their own refridgeraters.
Nor anyone that buys a new one every 12-24 months.
Nor anyone that swaps in performance parts.
Maybe his argument holds for people that were merely fascinated by the new utility represented by a PC; They may have never appreciated the goodies inside the box.
They've gotten over the novelty and have gone back to their non-techie lives.
Well, at least with everything moving to specialized blogs I won't have to sort through articles targeted at them.

# posted by Tom 7:21 AM

Stan's analogy is out of spec. But it's interesting that he chose to compare to a refrigerator. Years ago, before ubiquity, I was saying that the reason computers weren't catching on with the general public was because they didn't have a defined and specific purpose. After all, a toaster makes toast, a microwave gets stuff hot, and a computer... computes. Not enough for J. Random Public to get a handle on.

Computers may be ubiquitous, but they're still not toasters. There will be computer enthusiasts just as there are car enthusiasts, striving to exact that last possible drop of performance from their chosen machines. What will diminish is the widespread rush to gain knowledge, as the computer settles into its niche. Not everyone puts a supercharger on their Saturn.

Remember, there was a shakeout in the late 80's, as well (about the time Computer Shopper went from newsprint to perfect-bound, as I recall) that saw a lot of single-platform magazines die (remember Compute's Gazette?) and managed to kill a couple of generalist magazines by dilution. (Creative Computing died altogether, while Byte merely became unusable) And now we've the internet to replace the enthusiast's monthly dose of pulp with interaction and in-depth information sharing that hugely surpasses the magazines of old. People hacking their NSLU2, or LinkStation, or Gumstix have thriving online communities and an amazing amount of progress is being made. But because it doesn't appear in the racks at Borders, there's no general awareness.

Stan's right in that the age of the enthusiast's paper publication is over. (after all, Computer Shopper started out as a want-ad collection) But that doesn't mean the enthusiasts are gone. We've just moved on to a more efficient communications medium.

# posted by Roy 8:06 AM

I don't think the refrigerator is the right analogy. A better one would be cars or audio-visual equipment. These are also ubiquitous, and the average user just buys based on past experience, what they hear from friends, and what they read in Consumer Reports. However, there is another level of users who aren't satisfied with the basic functionality, and want higher performance or customization. While most of this community will be online (for cars and A/V as well as computers), I think there will continue to be a (perhaps smaller) computer section in the magazine racks of Borders or B&N.

# posted by Anonymous 8:30 AM

I agree. I once wrote a piece many years ago called "Are Computer Magazines Dead" and got a world of annonymous hate mail from journalists saying it was self-serving (I was in charge of CNET.com then). But my point was basically this: how can a buying decision that was once $4,000 and is now closer to $500 deserve the same expensive, labs-tested approach the mags always used?

It seemed like overkill and then in the meantime the boom in small pricey add-ons was just starting and no magazine was taking them seriously outside the Palm.

I do think there is a HUGE market for high-end enthusiasts. I write for Maximum PC now and then because they love chips and amped up power supplies and so on. But turning Shopper into a catalog of listings is not very useful to the avereage Joe who has many free and up to date sources online. But then again, we are still smarting over getting dumped for a 20 page index of stale products, so take that with a grain of salt.

Interesting times though. I'm just glad we have places like this to talk chips and everything else, including USB coffee warmers if someone builds them.

# posted by Alice 8:47 AM

The key ingredient which is missing from his analysis is that no one ever established a relationship with an appliance like they do their cars, guns, stereos, toys, sports equipment (don't touch my skateboard!), and most importantly, computers. Noone met and married someone because of the time they spent with their refridgerator.

Computers may be appliances for some people the way cars are transportation for some people, but for vast swathes of us computing devices will always be more than the parts that make them up.

However, I agree with Alice's comment that the movement has just moved online. This is a natural thing to do. These devices are most powerful when connected together, and connecting humans is probably what they do best.

My thanks go to Alice and Bill for their years of work and love, and I wish you many years of fun and prosperity.

# posted by Anonymous 8:51 AM

Thanks man! I still think a good rant or column about a technology online or in print is the only way to know if a product is worth buying or when new gear will actually show up, but you can't beat the ease of online and the speed of delivery. Now if we could just figure out a way to support ourselves doing just this - we'd be in hardware-loving heaven!

# posted by Alice 8:54 AM

Its a good article all wrong, the problem is not with the magazine format its the publisher that are the problem, ZD is or cnet is a good example, I believe pc computing was one of their mags, they changed it from a really decent beginners mag to something for business users I think, pc magazine has morfed also from a intermediate/advanced user to another business mag, at least they kept some of the more interesting columns. computer shopper went through even more transformations - from a hobbyist - to general user now also to a business mag. right now my descision to drop my subscription still stands. I still get pc world which is the same type of magazine and is done better. the money I save by dumping the subscrition will be put to subscribe to some excellent british mags.

# posted by Anonymous 1:59 AM

I guess thats the sum of the thinking- If the editor and chief is saying openly that the magazine will go away we are probably only going to see computer shopper available for a year or however long the advertising was booked for in advance.

# posted by Anonymous 2:16 PM

Bill. I have read the comments on my writing about Shopper and PC's in general and I agree with some of them and disagree with others. The refrigerator comparision is simplistic but the point is valid. What I said does not apply to real fans and hobbyists. They will always be interested in their choosen field and read and learn all they can about it.
I am a sporting clays shooter and admit to a close personal relationship with my favorite 12 Gauge Browning Over/Under Shotgun. It was fitted to me and although it may shoot well for another short,fat,left -handed guy,it is my gun. The same for the PC I am now using. I get a new one every few years and during the interval between them, I read and learn about all the new bells and whistles I will put into the next great machine. Of course I change my ideas many times before I actually buy a new computer. That is what sells magazines and supports you. Only nuts like me are getting fewer every year and the new kids are more interested in what comes out of the box, than what is in it.
Congratulations on your new column. May it run for as long as you want to write it! I am glad that some publishers realize that they have to offer more than re-editied Press Releases.
Your friend
Stsan Veit

# posted by Stan Veit 3:23 PM

Bill. I have read the comments on my writing about Shopper and PC's in general and I agree with some of them and disagree with others. The refrigerator comparision is simplistic but the point is valid. What I said does not apply to real fans and hobbyists. They will always be interested in their choosen field and read and learn all they can about it.
I am a sporting clays shooter and admit to a close personal relationship with my favorite 12 Gauge Browning Over/Under Shotgun. It was fitted to me and although it may shoot well for another short,fat,left -handed guy,it is my gun. The same for the PC I am now using. I get a new one every few years and during the interval between them, I read and learn about all the new bells and whistles I will put into the next great machine. Of course I change my ideas many times before I actually buy a new computer. That is what sells magazines and supports you. Only nuts like me are getting fewer every year and the new kids are more interested in what comes out of the box, than what is in it.
Congratulations on your new column. May it run for as long as you want to write it! I am glad that some publishers realize that they have to offer more than re-editied Press Releases.
Your friend
Stsan Veit

# posted by Stan Veit 3:23 PM

Bill. I have read the comments on my writing about Shopper and PC's in general and I agree with some of them and disagree with others. The refrigerator comparision is simplistic but the point is valid. What I said does not apply to real fans and hobbyists. They will always be interested in their choosen field and read and learn all they can about it.
I am a sporting clays shooter and admit to a close personal relationship with my favorite 12 Gauge Browning Over/Under Shotgun. It was fitted to me and although it may shoot well for another short,fat,left -handed guy,it is my gun. The same for the PC I am now using. I get a new one every few years and during the interval between them, I read and learn about all the new bells and whistles I will put into the next great machine. Of course I change my ideas many times before I actually buy a new computer. That is what sells magazines and supports you. Only nuts like me are getting fewer every year and the new kids are more interested in what comes out of the box, than what is in it.
Congratulations on your new column. May it run for as long as you want to write it! I am glad that some publishers realize that they have to offer more than re-editied Press Releases.
Your friend
Stsan Veit

# posted by Stan Veit 3:23 PM

Bill. I have read the comments on my writing about Shopper and PC's in general and I agree with some of them and disagree with others. The refrigerator comparision is simplistic but the point is valid. What I said does not apply to real fans and hobbyists. They will always be interested in their choosen field and read and learn all they can about it.
I am a sporting clays shooter and admit to a close personal relationship with my favorite 12 Gauge Browning Over/Under Shotgun. It was fitted to me and although it may shoot well for another short,fat,left -handed guy,it is my gun. The same for the PC I am now using. I get a new one every few years and during the interval between them, I read and learn about all the new bells and whistles I will put into the next great machine. Of course I change my ideas many times before I actually buy a new computer. That is what sells magazines and supports you. Only nuts like me are getting fewer every year and the new kids are more interested in what comes out of the box, than what is in it.
Congratulations on your new column. May it run for as long as you want to write it! I am glad that some publishers realize that they have to offer more than re-editied Press Releases.
Your friend
Stsan Veit

# posted by Stan Veit 3:23 PM

Bill. I have read the comments on my writing about Shopper and PC's in general and I agree with some of them and disagree with others. The refrigerator comparision is simplistic but the point is valid. What I said does not apply to real fans and hobbyists. They will always be interested in their choosen field and read and learn all they can about it.
I am a sporting clays shooter and admit to a close personal relationship with my favorite 12 Gauge Browning Over/Under Shotgun. It was fitted to me and although it may shoot well for another short,fat,left -handed guy,it is my gun. The same for the PC I am now using. I get a new one every few years and during the interval between them, I read and learn about all the new bells and whistles I will put into the next great machine. Of course I change my ideas many times before I actually buy a new computer. That is what sells magazines and supports you. Only nuts like me are getting fewer every year and the new kids are more interested in what comes out of the box, than what is in it.
Congratulations on your new column. May it run for as long as you want to write it! I am glad that some publishers realize that they have to offer more than re-editied Press Releases.
Your friend
Stsan Veit

# posted by Stan Veit 3:23 PM

Bill. I have read the comments on my writing about Shopper and PC's in general and I agree with some of them and disagree with others. The refrigerator comparision is simplistic but the point is valid. What I said does not apply to real fans and hobbyists. They will always be interested in their choosen field and read and learn all they can about it.
I am a sporting clays shooter and admit to a close personal relationship with my favorite 12 Gauge Browning Over/Under Shotgun. It was fitted to me and although it may shoot well for another short,fat,left -handed guy,it is my gun. The same for the PC I am now using. I get a new one every few years and during the interval between them, I read and learn about all the new bells and whistles I will put into the next great machine. Of course I change my ideas many times before I actually buy a new computer. That is what sells magazines and supports you. Only nuts like me are getting fewer every year and the new kids are more interested in what comes out of the box, than what is in it.
Congratulations on your new column. May it run for as long as you want to write it! I am glad that some publishers realize that they have to offer more than re-editied Press Releases.
Your friend
Stsan Veit

# posted by Stan Veit 3:23 PM

Bill. I have read the comments on my writing about Shopper and PC's in general and I agree with some of them and disagree with others. The refrigerator comparision is simplistic but the point is valid. What I said does not apply to real fans and hobbyists. They will always be interested in their choosen field and read and learn all they can about it.
I am a sporting clays shooter and admit to a close personal relationship with my favorite 12 Gauge Browning Over/Under Shotgun. It was fitted to me and although it may shoot well for another short,fat,left -handed guy,it is my gun. The same for the PC I am now using. I get a new one every few years and during the interval between them, I read and learn about all the new bells and whistles I will put into the next great machine. Of course I change my ideas many times before I actually buy a new computer. That is what sells magazines and supports you. Only nuts like me are getting fewer every year and the new kids are more interested in what comes out of the box, than what is in it.
Congratulations on your new column. May it run for as long as you want to write it! I am glad that some publishers realize that they have to offer more than re-editied Press Releases.
Your friend
Stsan Veit

# posted by Stan Veit 3:24 PM