John Dickinson's long career in computer journalism is based on an even longer history of personal computing. From holiday mailing lists developed on IBM mainframes to a fully networked home, John has found many innovative ways to make computing a part of his personal life for over 25 years.
John recently used PC software to redesign much of his home in California. Since putting all of his finances on Quicken, John has recurring nightmares about losing all of his data -- even though he regularly backs up his system on four separate hard drives at three locations. He's been learning how to play the piano -- aided by CD-ROM, of course. And e-mail keeps John in close contact with friends all over the country.
John's interest and knowledge in computing, combined with his superior editorial talents, have resulted in a highly successful career at Ziff-Davis. Named a contributing editor to PC Magazine in 1984, he was quickly promoted to special projects editor in 1985. He left briefly to become editor-in-chief of Computers In Banking in 1986, but rejoined Ziff-Davis in 1987 to create the ultimate product testing facility, PC Magazine Labs. By 1989 he had been promoted to executive editor of the magazine's West Coast operations.
In 1990, John was named editor of PC Computing, then promoted to editor-in-chief of Computer Shopper in 1991. His next stop was editorial director for Computer Shopper and PC Sources in 1992. In 1993, John was promoted to vice president of Ziff-Davis Interactive, where he served as founding editor-in-chief for the Interchange Information Service.
Today, as Editor-In-Chief for Computer Life Magazine, John remains confused as to where his computer hobby leaves off and his magazine editing career begins. "I've always found computers to be entertaining," John explains, "whether I was using them to program sophisticated corporate financial models, figuring out my own financial worth, chatting online, or playing Doom. The best part is, I get paid to do what most of my readers do for fun!"
Getting in touch...
It's no surprise that the best way to reach John is via e-mail, JDICKINS@ZD.COM
