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|A ^0First Things First |A ^1Diskovery |Aͺ ^0First Things First |A
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^Cby
^CDaniel Tobias

  This is issue #24.  Since we have maintained a consistent monthly schedule, 
this means that we have now completed our second full year of publication.  

  Our company has an even longer history, having published diskmagazines since 
we invented the concept in September, 1981.  This seven-year tradition is 
great longevity in this field; many software companies, computer magazines, and 
related enterprises have come and gone over this period.  We hope to be around 
to see the next seven years of the computer field, and more. 

  Note our honest numbering system: the #24 actually means that there were 23 
issues before it, and the current issue numbers #52 and #82 for our companion 
diskmags Loadstar and Softdisk (for Commodore and Apple, respectively) show rich 
histories for these as well.  By now, the first issue of our Macintosh 
publication, Diskworld, should have hit the stands as well, numbered as #1.  
Others in this field apparently don't share our straightforwardness.  One 
competing diskmagazine started its numbering with "Volume 10, Number 1" to imply 
a phony decade of history; another used some sort of "New Math" to number its 
self-proclaimed "First Anniversary Issue" (which came out nearly a year and a 
half after they began publication) as "Volume 3, Number 2." 

   I personally prefer our own whole-number system to "Volume/Number" setups, 
not only because Volumes are prone to manipulations as noted above, but also 
since it makes it easy to complete a collection of back issues without having to 
wonder how many issues were in each volume.  Just look for gaps in the 
consecutive numbering of the issues you own.  (And if you're looking to fill in 
your collection now, we still have all back issues in print at their original 
cover price, $9.95, or cheaper if you buy them in quantity.  Call now to order,
or ask for our free catalog listing the contents of all issues.)  All issues 
since #3 have had a second "bonus" disk, so the whole collection now encompasses 
46 disks full of software for your PC.

   Quantity is not all we care about; we're also continually working to upgrade 
the quality of our product.  Programs in recent issues have featured friendlier 
user interfaces, more attractive screens, greater compatibility with different 
systems, and other enhancements.  We expect to continue this, and we're also 
working on a new, improved menu system to replace the one in use now.  So keep 
reading (and running) BIG BLUE DISK; our third year will be our best yet!
