Time and evolution
Of PCs and a magazine.
A magazine like APC marches to the beat of the ever-evolving PC, and the PC never sits still. Every month, for 40 years, we’ve documented that change and progress, and there’s never once been a dull month.
APC magazine exists because the PC is a marvellous, wonderful, world-changing creation – but it thrives because it’s written and read by people that are truly, madly, deeply in love with it.
This issue of APC, our four hundred and eighty first, marks the big four-zero for us. It’s a heck of a milestone by any measure. I’m told we’re also the longest running PC magazine in the world! If the team that produced issue one, which went onsale back in May 1980, knew their baby would still be going strong so far down the track I wonder what they would say?
Well, let’s find out. Starting on page 30 we have a special feature looking back at issue one, with some words from its editor – the first editor of APC (or to be correct, Australian Personal Computer) – Sean Howard. We’ve chosen some of our favourite pages to share with you, too, and it’s a fascinating insight into the technology of the time. Other former APC editors and journalists over the years have also kindly shared some words about their time on the magazine, and their reminiscing covers a great many years of our history, along with PC tech trends over the years and the gear that surprised us with its success, and disappointed with failure. We’re also celebrating the big birthday with a bit of evolution in APC itself. The first thing you’ll notice is our fresh new look! It’s been a while since APC had a redesign and rolling it out for this issue makes it even more special. Our goal was more than just a nicer looking APC (nothing wrong with that!), we’ve also worked on readability and added a writer’s photo here and there so you know who we are. We’re also adding two new columnists that are experts in their fields. Joining Shaun, Joel and Chris are Jarred Walton with his Open Source column, while Alex Campbell writes each month on the current state of PC tech. Collectively these talented writers provide invaluable
“This issue of APC, our four hundred and eighty first, marks the big four-zero for us. It’s a heck of a milestone by any measure. I’m told we’re also the longest running PC magazine in the world!”