[3]             Factsheet Five: ACN Vol 7 No 2
                                    
[Editors Note: Factsheet Five is a magazine which describes
hundreds of zines. Here is what it had to say about the Amateur
Computerist Vol 7 NO 2 in its Winter 1998 issue.]

          -- The Amateur Computerist Vol 7 No 2 --

     The Amateur Computerist is like the complete antitheses of
Wired magazine. Look at its design, simple two-column pages that
are actually "readable", run off on an office xerox machine with
a single corner staple. The other key difference is that The
Amateur Computerist is a publication about computers, technology,
and the Internet while Wired primarily focuses on business,
marketing, and corporations. The best thing I can say about The
Amateur Computerist is that it's for former or current Wired
subscribers who are disgusted with its flag-waving corporate
stance and are looking for something with an emphasis on real
technology. 
     This thoughtful issue explores how the many facets of the
Internet has transformed society. They cover everything from
Usenet to e-mail to freenets to the Web. It starts off with a
great piece that explores how online discussion forums like
newsgroups are toppling the authoritative voice of newspapers. 
Another fabulous piece is Ronda's history of Usenet, covering how
it grew out of a small group of researchers who wanted to
exchange tips on implementing Unix. Other highlights include
excerpts from the recent federal decision on the CDA, thoughts on
online education, and the report from INET '96. 

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Reprinted from the Amateur Computerist Vol 8 No 1 Winter/Spring 1998. The whole
issue or a subscription are available for free via email. Send a request to
                           jrh@ais.org
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