Look everyone, I understand being "nice" to industry reps since we would like them to come by and contribute. Even if only in a two-post drive-by advertisement. But I can't have an opinion?
My 'slam' was aimed at one article Dive Training if anywhere; the general critical comments were directed not solely at Scuba Diving but at a lot of magazines which seem to be far more marketing than ever before.
I did not single out or "slam" Scuba Diving, apologized if I seemed contentious, but asked if there would be any difference in editorial direction vs. just cosmetics (don't you think I should ask what their plans are before making even "constructive" suggestions for the articles I'd like to see? Personally I hate it when people give me advice without finding out my own plans in work first...don't you?).
I tried to leaven my opinion with humor, self-deprecation, and overuse of smileys to also indicate I wasn't looking for a fight, claiming personal expertise (arguing from authority), or just playing forum seagull.
Yes, I was "that guy" who also read Playboy for the ARTICLES.

But I sincerely don't think I was 'unfair', and still would like the question answered. (It would have been 'unfair' to express an opinion and ask for feedback in the photo contest thread as an off-topic ambush, but not in one where they are bringing up their format change themselves. As he's never posted before this, I couldn't post in feedback before...and before you ask, yes I have emailed the editor and given web feedback on articles I did like to give constructive reinforcement as well as contributing to their reader surveys).
Certainly no magazine can be everything to everybody, but if the magazine editors don't hear that there are things people who should be in their desired demographic disliked beyond cosmetics, they don't know if they are satisfying their intended readership or not. Just because we want more participation doesn't mean we shouldn't be allowed to also ask questions...isn't interactive participation from them what we want in a forum? Sorry, I'm not satisfied with just getting a press release in an interactive format site.
Edited by rtrski, 01 February 2008 - 06:17 PM.
Current rig: Sony SLT-alpha55 in Ikelite housing, Sigma 105mm f2.8 DC Macro w/ Ike 5505.58 flat port or Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM behind UWCamStuff custom 5" mini-dome. Dual INON z240 Type IVs triggered with DS51 for TTL mimicry, or DS51 alone with home-made ringflash assy for macro.
Topside, unhoused: Sony SLT-alpha99, Sigma 150-500mm + 1.4TC (Saving for Sony 70-400 G2), Sigma 15mm diagonal fish, Sony 24-70mm f2.8 CZ, Tamron 180mm f2.8 Macro...all the gear and nary a clue...