3.834 software reviewers needed (136)
Willard McCarty (MCCARTY@vm.epas.utoronto.ca)
Wed, 6 Dec 89 20:20:31 EST
Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 3, No. 834. Wednesday, 6 Dec 1989.
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 89 16:11:02 EST
From: "John J Hughes" <XB.J24@STANFORD.BITNET>
The BITS & BYTES REVIEW is looking for qualified persons to write
full-length reviews of IBM and Macintosh software. The BITS &
BYTES REVIEW is published for academic computer users in the
humanities and has an international readership.
The BITS & BYTES REVIEW is seeking to involve more persons in
reviewing software, so that a broader spectrum of interests is
represented, a broader range of programs is covered, more
programs are reviewed, and so that the publication appears on a
more regular basis.
Articles in the BITS & BYTES REVIEW are abstracted in INSPEC,
Information Science Abstracts, and Software Reviews on File. Each
volume of the BITS & BYTES REVIEW contains nine issues.
Persons interested in writing software reviews for the BITS &
BYTES REVIEW should:
(1) Be involved in academic computing in one of the
humanities disciplines at a college, university, or
other institution of higher learning. "Involved" in this
context can mean anything from "uses a computer for
research and writing" to "writes computer programs."
(2) Be an experienced computer user, not a neophyte.
"Experienced" in this context does not mean "expert"; it
means "knows how to use a computer and knows something
about their many academic uses."
(3) Have a sound knowledge of some basic types of programs,
such as word processing, database management, and
desktop publishing, for example, even if you
predominantly use only one type of program in your work.
(4) Have a reasonable understanding of how computers work.
"Reasonable" in this context does not mean "almost as
thorough as Peter Norton!" It means that you have a
basic understanding of how computers do what they do.
(5) Consistently read at least one or two major nonacademic
computers publications per month, for example, PC
Magazine, MacUser, PC World, Publish.
(6) Be curious, teachable, and willing to learn.
(7) Be able to express themselves clearly, concisely, and in
an engaging fashion.
(8) Be able to compare programs.
(9) Be detail-oriented and able and willing to write
detailed, thorough reviews, such as the ones that have
appeared in the BITS & BYTES REVIEW since its beginning
in 1986.
(10) Be able to discern the academic potential of commercial
programs.
(11) Be willing to review commercial programs, as well as
those designed predominantly or exclusively for academic
use.
(12) Be able to review programs in terms of their functions,
features, and potential uses for academicians, while
avoiding philosophical issues.
(13) Be able to explain technical concepts in simple terms
without being simplistic.
(14) Be able to stay within assigned
word-count/article-length limits.
(15) Be able to set and keep deadlines.
(16) Own an IBM-compatible or a Macintosh computer.
(17) Be willing to have the editor of the BITS & BYTES REVIEW
edit their submissions.
(18) Send a Curriculum Vitae or a Resume to the editor and
publisher of the BITS & BYTES REVIEW at the address
listed below. If possible, please include a sample of
your writing that shows your ability to write technical
software reviews.
A modest remuneration will be paid for each article accepted for
publication.
As needed, the BITS & BYTES REVIEW will supply new, full working
copies of software to persons who qualify as reviewers and who
enter into an agreement with the BITS & BYTES REVIEW to write a
review. Reviewers may keep the software, as long as they supply
an acceptable review on time.
Please do not submit articles to the BITS & BYTES REVIEW without
first contacting the editor.
Persons not familiar with the BITS & BYTES REVIEW may receive a
complimentary sample copy by contacting the editor.
Interested parties should contact:
John J. Hughes, Editor & Publisher
Bits & Bytes Review
623 Iowa Ave.
Whitefish, MT 59937
U.S.A.
XB.J24@Stanford.BITNET
CIS: 71056,1715
MCI Mail: 226-1461
Voice: (406) 862-7280
FAX: (406) 862-1124