Welcome to the online site for the new-look Advisor. We have made several changes based on user feedback as to what is useful. Keep the feedback coming.
Firstly, we have revised our original plans to put every article from the magazine on the web site. Without resorting to banner ads and other sources of on-line funding (which our readers tell us they do not want) it is difficult to finance the necessary production expertise to maintain the sort of service we originally intended. Also, many of the articles are very time limited in their interest. Whilst Y2K was very topical in the run up to December1999, there is little archive interest in it to justify the creation and maintenance of such an on-line site.
So - what do our readers want to see on-line?
Well the first step is to aim at providing just a few key popular articles. Then get those articles available at the same time as the print version reaches readers. That way, you can obtain copies of these articles after having read them in the magazine.
The second step is a switch to Acrobat PDF format for the articles rather than HTML. This allows easier production, because the same document source is used for many purposes, whereas the old HTML pages had to be laboriously re-crafted by hand. It also means that the layout is much improved and is geared to giving a good print copy - something not that easy with HTML pages, which are very dependent on local browser configuration.
What articles qualify to be included? Well, that is entirely up to you. Readers can send in a request for any regular feature article
What can you use the on-line archive for? You can call up an article to produce a local print, without the usual split over several pages inherent in a printed magazine. You can also e-mail a link to an article so that your correspondant can read and print it. Just bear in mind our copyright rules when you do that.
The third step is to include feedback paths for you to contact us on-line. For now, these are basic e-mail links - but we will soon start switching to on-line forms. You can now give feedback to the editor, the article authors, the subscription department or even our advertising department. Manufacturer and Vendor advertising is essential if we are to continue producing a high-quality magazine four times a year.
Use the feedback opportunities - tell us what you think. It is your magazine and we want this on-line site to play a better supporting role.
20th July 2001
Web site comments may be sent to .