Volume 11, Issue 5 - September/October 2007
Volume 11, Issue 5 - September/October 2007
| Dear Reader Can You Hear Me Now? Some people think of a publication as nothing more than a print item. Sure, they may acknowledge all the hard work that goes into it—planning, writing, editing, designing and such (I hope!), but for some, the process ends when the publication reaches their mailboxes. Or, as painful as it may be, when … it reaches the trash can (Or the recycle bin at the least!). A good publication serves as a dialogue. Worthwhile dialogue requires two way communications between at least two or more people. This month, I would like to expand on that notion by suggesting that a good publication serves as a community. The truth is—the two are inseparable. A magazine, by design, is a means of one-way communication—from publication to the reader (who may occasionally cuss out-loud at it). And an editor without feedback might as well be winking in the dark. That’s why we’ve invested so much in creating a communication network for the Window Film community. If you’re guilty, like I was until recently, and have never visited our message board, take the time. There’s a link for it on our website ( www.windowfilmmag.com), at the bottom right corner, under Window Film e-Sources—Window Film Message Forum. This month, I called on Tom Niziolek to write about one of the industry’s hottest topics or most asked questions. Really, I was passing the buck. When Tom turned the question around on me and requested the three most common reader questions … I didn’t know what exactly to answer. Houston, we have a problem. While he chose to flatter me, I’m confident that Tom could have easily decided on a topic without my help. In the process, however, he solicited my number-one topic and concern—community and communication. Look for his side of the story on page eight. Fortunately for me, our contributing editors and writers know this industry well and they’re helping me learn. Contributing editor Les Shaver knows that signal interference and ceramic films are a hot topic this day; that’s why he wrote about them in his feature: “Tech Answer” on page 22. Penny Stacey (I told you you hadn’t seen the last of her!) knows that the proposed crackdown on illegal tint in New York city is an important issue for us all to follow; that’s why she chose to write about it on page 14. Me? I had the easy job. SEMA is over 40 and hotter than ever (on page 18). I did, however, decide to spend a few late nights in the library to tackle the issue of website development (on page 26). If you don’t have a site yet, or you’re kicking around the idea, check out the expert advice I managed to dig up. The question is—what do you want us to write about in the future? It’s your magazine. Let me know what you’d like to see. dvass@glass.com Drew Vass is the editor of Window Film magazine.
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