Growing Up in Internet Time
By Michael Floyd
The day I took the helm here at Web Techniques, the magazine was already in production on its second (May 1996) issue. With articles and concepts already underway, it seemed the transition would be seamless. Unfortunately, editorial positions had yet to be filled and there were just three weeks left before the June issue was due to go into production. No concepts, no articles, and oh yes, no Web site. The rubber was soon to meet the road.
Within a week, Web Techniques had its first technical editor. Within three weeks, the first articles were headed toward the production editors. And by May 1996, we had an operational Web site. There was not much content at WebTechniques.com, but that would grow. The frenzy should have died down as we gained more ground on each issue. But then I saw the plea from Web Review's publisher, Dale Dougherty.
Web Review had been one of the first ezines to hit the Web and it had quickly gained mind share within the Web community. Unfortunately, banner advertising wasn't supporting the site and Dale was asking readers, "Would you be willing to subscribe?" Nearly 3000 readers said they would, but that wasn't near enough to support the site. Shortly thereafter, Web Review announced its last issue.
When I approached our publisher, Manny Sawit, with the news, he said, "We should buy it!" Of course, there were concerns: The online publishing market was untested; and this was not our core business. So Dale and Manny hammered out an agreement by which Web Techniques would support the ezine, while Web Review remained the property of Songline Studios.<>
