Editorial September 2019

Hugh Macdonald

Thank you, David Stonier-Gibson!

I begin this month with a thank you to David, both for the stellar effort he has done over the past eighteen months in editing PC Update and for the help he is given me in transitioning into the role of editor. The good job that David has done in editing the magazine is universally acknowledged throughout Melbourne PC User Group. David has two articles in the month’s edition, including an exciting one entitled Planning To Plan, so something tells me these pages will still feature his words on a regular basis.

Who are Hugh?

I briefly stepped into the editors chair back in May, but I suspect for a lot of members I am fairly unknown. I joined the club back in July 2018 to be a part of the Science and Tech Projects Group. Due to some expertise in marketing and social media (I teach it at tertiary level) I was asked to run for committee and as one the 12 nominations, found myself installed. Ever since I’ve been helping out with marketing efforts, and you might have seen me at monthly meetings and other events taking photos. I see editing PC Update as part of those marketing efforts, and I look forward to bringing you a good quality magazine each month with lots of interesting content.

But I’m not really new to the club. Back in 1994 when I was 11 years old, my father joined the club and purchased a NetComm V.Fast dial-up modem and signed up for the Internet service. We received our modem and Internet disk, installed Netscape Navigator 1.0 and were away. The early Internet was amazing for the times, and I got to experience it all thanks to the club. I also fondly remember the BBS and the shareware downloading and discussion services that it offered, as well as the very informative magazine PC Update. So all in all, I learned a lot about Information and Communications Technology from the club in those days, and now I’m back and learning more still. So to cut a long story short, I think it’s a great club with a terrific history and a significant role to play into the future, and I’m honored to be able to make a small contribution to the place through the committee and PC Update.

The Times (of PC Update) Are A Changin’

After words by myself and David over recent months foreshadowing changes to the way PC Update is produced and presented, you’ll notice that they have come to bear this month. I have prepared a detailed article inside which outlines exactly what these changes involve, but I ask that you trust me that these changes have been made to ensure that a quality publication is delivered each month. Some further tweaks may be made over the coming months. If you have any feedback (either positive or constructively critical) then I welcome hearing from you via email or Yammer.