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<C> 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 non-profit BBSs or 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! ========================================================================== Transcript of the Brian Crosthwaite Conferance 5/31/94 Brian Crosthwaite, the editor of dieHard magazine, was on hand on May 31, 1994 to share with the Commodore RT on GEnie, his insights concerning the Commodore market. He showed real enthusiasm for the writing and publishing of his magazine, as well as for his 8 bit computer. This conference revealed how Brian got started, as well as how dieHard developed into one of the top Commodore specific magazines in the market. You will be able to see this for yourself as you read the transcripts. This event was hosted by myself, GEOS-TIM (Tim Hewelt), with the capture and editing by THE.OUTLAW (Cam Stewart). C128-QT.PIE (Sherry Freedline) greeted new arrivals, and kept the audience informed during the conference. QT also designed the banner announcing the Brian Crosthwaite conference. I wish to thank them for their help, which allowed the conference to move so smoothly. I would also like to thank Brian Crosthwaite for being a guest speaker. :) -Tim ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- A little before conferance conversation..... <CBM-PRESS> Hello! <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Brian are you still using GeoTerm? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Yes, unfortunately. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Brian, THE.OUTLAW is Cam Stewart and he will be capturing tonights conference.. and editing <THE.OUTLAW> Howdy Brian! :> <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> c128-QT.PIE is Sherry Freedline and she will be greeting folks as they come in and help them with any info that will be needed <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Hi. <C128-QT.PIE> Welcome to the Brian Crosthwaite Conference! We will have a period of time where the entire room will be in listen-only mode. This will be followed by a period of questions and answers. To ask a question use the /RAI command. Hi Brian :) <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> QT is job # 2 in case you need to reach her. Cam is job # 4 You need to be real nice to Cam since he does the editing on the transcripts.LOL <THE.OUTLAW> LOL Tim! <C128-QT.PIE> giggle <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> The transcripts probably reach more people than the actual conference. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> I know of many user groups that use them in their newsletters <D.PARSONS2> This is my first time in one of these conferences so i hope to learn a lot.:) <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Well, Doug, I think a lot of good info will be coming out. <D.PARSONS2> I expect to use this in our BUG BYTES newsletter for TVBUG(BOISE USER GROUP);) <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Okay....I think we will give it a few minutes. <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Howmany hackers does it take to change a light bulb? <C128-QT.PIE> ut oh, I don't know, how many? <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> I don't know...how many? LIke minds...QT <C128-QT.PIE> ut oh, that's scary! <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> None - hardware problem! <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> LOL <C128-QT.PIE> ;) <THE.OUTLAW> LOL <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Not mine, I stole that. Not really. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> How are you doing with that GeoTerm, Brian? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Fair as long as I type fast. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Okay three minutes until we start Bring # 4 camera in to the left <THE.OUTLAW> ::panning left:: <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Nice shot, Cam <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Is this mic on? <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Yes...tap it a few times <C128-QT.PIE> giggle! <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> t t t <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> TESTING TESTING <THE.OUTLAW> Of course! Do you think this is a shabby operation, Brian?? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> TEST -- oo too close <C128-QT.PIE> yikes FEEDBACK! ** <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> ONE MINUTE TO SHOW TIME Room is now listen-only. Welcome to the Brian Crosthwaite Conference !!! Brian Crosthwaite is the editor of dieHard magazine. dieHard is the first Commodore magazine since RUN to hit newstands. Tonight we have Brian Crosthwaite, editor of dieHard..I will be asking Brian questions for a few minutes, and will be opening the session to questions at the end. Brian thanks for coming tonight <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Thanx for having me. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Brian....what really caught my eye recently..... concerning dieHard was the fact that you have taken the bull by the horns so to speak and decided to go to the newstands. This raises several questions. My first would have to do with the philosophy of dieHard...or the purpose of dieHard. Could you tell us what the purpose, as you see it, of dieHard is? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> dH started as a list of C= supporters with a few articles that went with it. It has and always will be a platform for commodore support. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Good...we can always use support. :D You said dH started as a list of C= supporters....when was this? and how did it evolve into such a great magazine? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Well, I started with the Timex Sinclair then quicly moved to the C64 back in '83. I used and programmed for several years and I started catching up (I went for over a year with out a disk drive) and I got into Ataris and other computers over the years, but always was to come back to the C64. We were expecting a baby and I was an independant contractor installing carpet. I worked for myself -- I was the boss, and I didn't mind taking off the time to raise our son. My wife was moving up fast in her job So it seemed only natural that I be the one to stay home. After Antony was born, I became a full time house-dad While my son was sleeping and after the house was cleaned up and everything was done I played with my computers. I joined TVBUG (Boise user group) to get some semblance of a social life with someone who had a vocabulary. It was actually an Illistrator DEMO that made me think, "Hey, I can put text around a picture with geoPub. I compiled all the info that made up the first issue and took it to a meeting. "How much for a subscrition?" was the first responce -- SUBSCRIPTION? That means comitment! <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> LOL <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> As for what it has become, I think the name dieHard describe what most C= users are and a lot of good talent came forward. We have many great writers who are true to the cause! <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Interesting. Did you envision that dieHard would be as successful as it has become? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> I actually had no future vision. It was like skiing on mogols, I flew from one to the next and didn't look much farther than the next hump. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> I can identify with that example.LOL dieHard hits the newstands this month. What prompted this, what I would call "risky" move? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Well, actaully it is a low risk thing. We are listed in the Barnes and Noble magazine listing. Book stores and others who buy from the cataloge order what they think they can sell. Granted we don't get anything for issues not sold, but we expect the issues to sell. dH has been in commodore shops all over the country for sometime now. They stock as many as 25 or more a month at a single location. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> I didn't know that. <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> We we buying dictionaries at BOOKSTAR when our business came up, I think because it was a company check, and the clerk ask if they carried dieHard. This clerk was well informed and gave us their buyers name and they responded enthusiasticly <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> My fellow conference person, our very own QT, has a question. <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> Ok, you were referring to Barnes and Nobles earlier Can I purchase dieHard there? off the shelf? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> That depends upon weather or not they stock it. They have many different book stores and may or may not order it. <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> Hmm...maybe if I request it? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> If they have it it will be on the shelf with other magazines. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> How did you get the name LynnCarthy Industries, Inc.? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> My business partner is also my life partner. We had planned to start a business (probably software or something) and my middle name is Lynn and her's is Carthy. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Ah, the mystery is solved!!! <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> We were day dreaming. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> What do you see for the future of dieHard? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> dH is growing. With it's exposure on newsstands, we hope to get more subscribers and spead the word even more. It's strange, the market is sort of stablized. Many move on to other platforms, yet about the same each year are moving into the C= world. Curiosity, they found it at a yard sale, the price was right. that sort of thing. And we want to offer them support. People are suprised to learn of user groups and supporters like CMD and LOADSTAR, they thought they just bought a cheap toy. <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> The biggest surprise has been people sending us letters that say Thank You! and all the praise that comes in everyday. These people are truly dieHards and love their machines. We even have readers who have VIC20s and PETs! <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> What surprises has the market had for you and your magazine? If I was an inspiring writer that wanted to submit an article to your publication, what advise would you give me? And what are the procedures for submitting an article to dieHard? And what are the rates if an article is accepted? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Advice? research your topic. Write about what YOU love. If you have the passion, you are half the way there To submit, it is best to get the writer's guildlines. These tell you how to prepare what you have. If you write a program and document it, you will get paid better than if you had one our staff write the docs. Payment varies from article length, are there pictures, do we have to re-write parts of it, and other factors along those lines. I believe the pay scale is $50 to $250 per article, but these are constantly going up. We can post the address for anyone interested in submitting at the end if you wish. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> I have a couple more questions, but I think I will open the floor to the audience first. If you would like to ask a question indicate by raising your hand by typing /rai. Ask your question when called on, and indicate you are done by typing END Tom Gosser from Shelton WA has a question. <T.GOSSER1> Are you still accepting resum's for Associate Editor?Are you still accepting resume's for Associate Editor? Or has that position been filled? end <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> We do have a candidate for the possision we had recently advertised for, however another position will be opening soon. <T.GOSSER1> What is the upcoming opening position? end <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> It is one very similar to the Associate Ed., we have not yet defined the paramiters. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Tim Phelps ( I like that name Tim) from Reseda CA has a question. <[Tim] D.PHELPS1> Which newstands will dieHard be available for purchase? Will it arrive to Bookstar, Software Etc., Electronics Boutique, CompUsa and other known newstands? end <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> We are uncertain, since we have no way of knowing for sure. You might call around your area. I hope the distributer can send us a list in the near future of who they are shipping to. I don't know if they can, but it seems resonable that they should be able to. <[Tim] D.PHELPS1> Will it be easier for dieHard to succeed because the magazine doesn't have a big corporation for a publisher (i.e., RUN and Compute Gazette)? end <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> I think one thing that will keep us going is me. LynnCarthy Ind., Inc. has another publication called the Sewing Room and is growing. But if I have to put it out with a crayon myself, I will. I love my work, I love what dH is. There have been times when I just wish I was a subscriber, but I do love this. The people who work here all have dream jobs, even in the non-commodore departments and we all have vision and part of my vision is dH. We went through a period when we should have died, just like many others who did. But both Mia (my partner) and I have strong wills and are very passionate in what we do. It was that drive that has keep us alive we after we died. If LCII was like many other companies, large or small, dH may have been dumped. for some other project. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> We are seeing several Commodore specific magazines on the scene now. dieHard, C=World, TC 64/128, and several disk publications. What is the atmosphere between these companies like at the moment? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> This is what should have suprised me but didn't. I grew up with LOADSTAR and alto of the philosophies they have are my own. CMD, LOADSTAR and dieHard are always talking to each other. We knew about Commodore World before anybody else, because of the comradery found amongst commodore enthousiest. When other C= people hear about us they are exicited, and when we here about others we are excited. It is amaizing. There is this, "we're all in it together kid" kind of a kinship. We all feed off each other, like a learning entity. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> That is inspiring....but it is what I'Ve noticed among our users. I have another question.....probably one I should have asked you about a while ago so you could think about it. If you could start over again, knowing what you know....what would you do differently in starting dieHard? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Bought a laser printer. That's it. We kind of slipped into existance from a small entity, we didn't threaten anyone. It was a kind of easing. There were some early issues I'd love to have used PS script fonts on. But even off of an MPS 1270 inkjet I think we did good. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Gosh, I just bought a laser printer...I guess I'm on my way!!! :D <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Cool! <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Now folks, Brian is using GeoTerm, which doesn't have a chat mode....so we will be staying in listen mode.....are there anymore questions? We don't want Brian to get stomped on by opening up the flood gates. LOL!.. After all he is a guest. <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> I hate geoTerm... <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> D.Parsons has a question <D.PARSONS2> Brian, What is the circulation among dieHard Commodore users?end <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Circulation of dH is around 12000. end <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> I didn't realize you were that high already. That's great. BTW Brian, Talk to Cam after this conference...he can get you into a new term program <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Cool! :) <D.PARSONS2> That means there is a lot of commodore users needing assistance, huh? end <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Not just assistance, but they want to feed their minds. <D.PARSONS2> instead of assistance I meant support. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Thanks for the question, Doug Any more questions? We are coming close to the bewitching hour. Brian, this has been really a treat. I've had fun! I love the enthusiasm that you show when talking about our beloved little puters And I think dieHard is an excellent magazine. It could use a little more GEnie news, but we'll overlook that for a while.LOL <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Thank you, on behalf of all involved. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> We are about to let the flood gates go Room is now in the talk mode. <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Well, you ARE going to submit an article on GEnie aren't you? <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Well, okay <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> giggle <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Okay, everyone stretch Oh, there is another magazine we didn't mention....HI Random. <RANDOM-MAG> Howdy there... <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> If you are interested in going in conference for about 5 more minutes. raise your hands by typing /rai We are in listen mode at this time Folks, if you have a question for Brian, type /rai...and I'll call on you <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> W.Blundell Go ahead. <W.BLUNDELL> What type of articles do you have? <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Oh....LOL I forgot to get Brian off listen mode. <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Archaic computer is a section dealing with older programs and hardware that are still or become availible, Questions and Answers,DOS & Don'ts from the first issues of LOADSTAR (more comradery)PR Shoot. I just typed about a page and it was rejected! :[ <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> LOL....MY fAult :/ <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> We have ok, let's do it again. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> You aren't going to shoot me, are you? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> no. well,no <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Thanks...phew <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> We have INPUT;READER$ letters from our readers, Rarities our spotlight on C= supporters. Basic BASIC our enterylevel BASIC comlumn, PAPSAW deals with information on POKEs PEEKs, SYSs, and WAITs, Cyberspace Cowboy R. J. Smulkowski's exploration of Cyberspace and the Internet, REVIEW! where we do reviews, Questions and Answers, DOS & Don'ts from LOADSTAR (more comradery), PRG, CP/M, Telecomunications, Your Commodore, and You. Plus feature articles. <W.BLUNDELL> Do you have any discounts for clubs? <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> We have a special group rate when UGs list 10 or more subscribers. I don't know off hand what the % is. But many find it worth while. <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> Any more questions? I will try to rememeber to put you out of listen mode. LOL Brian will be online for the rest of the week So you will probably see him from time to time in this area For a second time I would like to thank Brian for coming. <[Brian] CBM-PRESS> Your welcome, I've had fun! :) <[HOST] GEOS-TIM> I would like to thank all of you for coming.