Micro Mart
Encyclopedia
Micro Mart is a weekly computer magazine
published in the United Kingdom
by Dennis Publishing Ltd. It is currently the only national, weekly, computer-trading magazine in the UK and enjoys weekly sales of 13,712 copies (as of 2010). (Although there are also UKs weekly magazines/newspapers: Computing (magazine)
, ComputerWeekly and IT Week
, all of which are being sold at newsagents).
The magazine features news, reviews, articles, and classified adverts covering many popular areas of computing
(both in hardware
and software areas). The magazine's articles are targeted at many different levels of expertise, from beginners' tasks (such as working with Word
documents, setting up a simple wireless network, or building a watercooled PC
) to more advanced articles (such as working with Linux
kernels or becoming a shareware author).
The magazine is also notable for being the only publication in the UK to still regularly cover the Amiga market, most magazines having abandoned coverage of the format in the years following the collapse of Commodore.
On 14 November 2002 (issue 723) the magazine moved to a full colour format, having previously been printed in black and white. At this time, Micro Mart also expanded in content (for example Ask Jason moved from 1 to 2 pages).
Since then, the magazine has celebrated its 20th birthday
, its thousandth issue and had several design changes, the most recent in early 2006. It has seen readership increase regularly with weekly sales currently averaging around 25,000+ in 2006.
Micro Mart was initially published by MicroMart (UK) Ltd. Owners Stewart Somerville and Roy Perrin, along with Stewart's wife Fiona, controlled publication and distribution of the magazine until 28th February 1995 when Trinity Publications (a subsidiary of the Trinity Mirror
group) bought the company. On 12 June 2006 the magazine was bought by Dennis Publishing Ltd.after a deal brokered by Ian Savage Publishing. Subsequently, the magazine has now joined the ranks of titles such as Computer Shopper
, PC Pro
, and Custom PC
.
The magazine remains under the editorship of Simon Brew, whose leadership in recent years has seen the magazine solidifying its sales and readership figures at a time when traditional print media is being squeezed by the Internet. When questioned on the Micro Mart forums about the takeover, Mr Brew promised that the takeover would not affect the magazines future; "Well, I've spent quite a lot of time talking to Dennis over the past few weeks, and I'm happy enough to be relocating my family a good 100 miles or so south after listening to what they have to say. As a MM reader way before I even wrote for the magazine, I understand the worries over changing ownership. But it's not the first time MM has been sold to new owners, and it's still going strong."http://forum.micromart.co.uk/Topic117415-3-1.aspx.
printed at the end of the magazine is ended with a short insight into the news and events in the editorial office. A more recent feature of Micro Mart is the images of the regular experts placed alongside their columns. These initially started as colour photographs which, after a recent redesign, were replaced with stylised cartoon
versions. Initially these were greeted with enthusiasm by the readership but a second redesign of the magazine (replacing them with new sepia line drawings) caused much controversy with many forum contributors calling for a return to photographs http://forum.micromart.co.uk/FindPost108597.aspxhttp://forum.micromart.co.uk/FindPost108756.aspx. This reaction prompted the magazine to tone down the images by printing them in black and white instead.
As well as this, there are several other quirky additions to the magazine that do not contribute to the 'normal' content. For example, a recent regular feature of the news section has been Tales from the Towers (Micro Mart Towers being the pet name for the editorial offices used by magazine staff and contributors). Written by staff writer Michelle, this section gives a light-hearted look at the weeks events in the editorial office. The recent takeover has seen both the offices move from Birmingham
to London
and Michelle leave the team; TFTT became Tales from the Shed written by editor Simon Brew for a while, but currently isn't being included in the magazine (though it may return at a later date).
The magazine is the only English language commercial magazine to still have a regular section dedicated to the Amiga
platform (this article recently celebrated its tenth birthday). This came about after readers requested such coverage, after several requests the Amiga section was launched.
Many sections in the magazine are devoted to reader contributions. The regular caption competition invites readers to submit a caption for a computing related image. A less regular (and more recent) addition is called Readers' dives. As the name suggests, this feature prints images of readers computer rooms (or dives). One section that has gained more response in recent months is the Windows Crashing feature, where readers send in pictures of Microsoft Windows
going wrong in public places (such as cash machines or photo booths). This particular feature has been replaced on one occasion with 'EVE Online Crashing', a news story / user submission hybrid featuring a crash occurring during the advert break of an EVE online Tournament.
In late 2005, the editorial team introduced readers' reviews. This section was intended for reviews of computer products submitted by readers, but a lack of response caused it to die out after a few months.
Micro Mart has a commitment to involving readers as much as possible in the publication. Many of the lead articles have been written by readers, and for some this has led to them pursuing a career in journalism. (Many of the magazine's current experts started in this way). According to editor Simon Brew, 95% of Micro Mart's Content is written by freelance journalists.
team was started in September 2005 by forum user Dr Jon. After some campaigning on the forums it was finally endorsed by the magazine and the team were given a separate sub-forum. A forumite - Tom Morton, wrote and hosted a script for displaying team members statistics in their forum signatures as well as writing a tutorial thread to help new folders. Another member, Fridgemaker, administrates a milestones thread in the folding forum.
After a slow start, Tom Morton's folding article was published in Micro Mart and membership increased. Currently, the team has over 200 members and is in the top 100 for teams worldwide. An important point was reached on the 22 November 2007, when SPIKE09 became the first member of the team to gain the prestigious 1,000,000 (one million) point milestone.
12 Months previously a new section named "Online Gaming Mart" was introduced into the magazine with the long term goal of running several gaming servers. In November 2006 it was announced on the magazine forums that the game servers were soon to be in place and a request for administrators to look after the servers was posted. So far the servers are yet to be launched.
The clan also registered a separate website address (www.mmmugs.co.uk).
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
published in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Dennis Publishing Ltd. It is currently the only national, weekly, computer-trading magazine in the UK and enjoys weekly sales of 13,712 copies (as of 2010). (Although there are also UKs weekly magazines/newspapers: Computing (magazine)
Computing (magazine)
Computing is a weekly newspaper/magazine published by Incisive Media for IT managers and professionals in the United Kingdom., Computings circulation was verified by BPA Worldwide as 115,431.-History:...
, ComputerWeekly and IT Week
IT Week
IT Week is a weekly newspaper for the UK computing industry, published by Incisive Media.It was launched on 18 May 1998 and was originally published by the UK subsidiary of American media company Ziff Davis. In late 2000, Ziff Davis sold all its UK print publications, including IT Week, to VNU...
, all of which are being sold at newsagents).
The magazine features news, reviews, articles, and classified adverts covering many popular areas of computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
(both in hardware
Computer hardware
Personal computer hardware are component devices which are typically installed into or peripheral to a computer case to create a personal computer upon which system software is installed including a firmware interface such as a BIOS and an operating system which supports application software that...
and software areas). The magazine's articles are targeted at many different levels of expertise, from beginners' tasks (such as working with Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
documents, setting up a simple wireless network, or building a watercooled PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
) to more advanced articles (such as working with Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
kernels or becoming a shareware author).
The magazine is also notable for being the only publication in the UK to still regularly cover the Amiga market, most magazines having abandoned coverage of the format in the years following the collapse of Commodore.
History
Micro Mart was launched in November 1985 as a fortnightly publication consisting of classified advert listings for the computer trade. The magazine soon expanded in editorial content to include articles and reviews from many realms of computing. It became popular with both amateur and professional system builders. In 1991, due to reader demands, Micro Mart moved to a weekly format.On 14 November 2002 (issue 723) the magazine moved to a full colour format, having previously been printed in black and white. At this time, Micro Mart also expanded in content (for example Ask Jason moved from 1 to 2 pages).
Since then, the magazine has celebrated its 20th birthday
Birthday
A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...
, its thousandth issue and had several design changes, the most recent in early 2006. It has seen readership increase regularly with weekly sales currently averaging around 25,000+ in 2006.
Micro Mart was initially published by MicroMart (UK) Ltd. Owners Stewart Somerville and Roy Perrin, along with Stewart's wife Fiona, controlled publication and distribution of the magazine until 28th February 1995 when Trinity Publications (a subsidiary of the Trinity Mirror
Trinity Mirror
Trinity Mirror plc is a large British newspaper and magazine publisher. It is Britain's biggest newspaper group, publishing 240 regional papers as well as the national Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and People, and the Scottish Sunday Mail and Daily Record. Its headquarters are at Canary Wharf in...
group) bought the company. On 12 June 2006 the magazine was bought by Dennis Publishing Ltd.after a deal brokered by Ian Savage Publishing. Subsequently, the magazine has now joined the ranks of titles such as Computer Shopper
Computer Shopper
Computer Shopper could refer to the following publications:* Computer Shopper - a home computer magazine published in the United Kingdom* Computer Shopper - a home computer magazine published in the United States...
, PC Pro
PC Pro
PC Pro is one of several computer magazines published monthly in the United Kingdom by Dennis Publishing. PC Pro also licenses individual articles for republication in various countries around the world - and some articles are translated into local languages...
, and Custom PC
Custom PC
Custom PC is a UK based computer customization magazine published by Dennis Publishing Ltd. It contains information on top performance hardware and gaming as well as monthly news related to these topics. The first issue was released in October 2003 and it is published monthly. Audited circulation...
.
The magazine remains under the editorship of Simon Brew, whose leadership in recent years has seen the magazine solidifying its sales and readership figures at a time when traditional print media is being squeezed by the Internet. When questioned on the Micro Mart forums about the takeover, Mr Brew promised that the takeover would not affect the magazines future; "Well, I've spent quite a lot of time talking to Dennis over the past few weeks, and I'm happy enough to be relocating my family a good 100 miles or so south after listening to what they have to say. As a MM reader way before I even wrote for the magazine, I understand the worries over changing ownership. But it's not the first time MM has been sold to new owners, and it's still going strong."http://forum.micromart.co.uk/Topic117415-3-1.aspx.
Identity
Micro Mart has several quirks that help give it an identity. For example, the disclaimerDisclaimer
A disclaimer is generally any statement intended to specify or delimit the scope of rights and obligations that may be exercised and enforced by parties in a legally recognized relationship...
printed at the end of the magazine is ended with a short insight into the news and events in the editorial office. A more recent feature of Micro Mart is the images of the regular experts placed alongside their columns. These initially started as colour photographs which, after a recent redesign, were replaced with stylised cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
versions. Initially these were greeted with enthusiasm by the readership but a second redesign of the magazine (replacing them with new sepia line drawings) caused much controversy with many forum contributors calling for a return to photographs http://forum.micromart.co.uk/FindPost108597.aspxhttp://forum.micromart.co.uk/FindPost108756.aspx. This reaction prompted the magazine to tone down the images by printing them in black and white instead.
As well as this, there are several other quirky additions to the magazine that do not contribute to the 'normal' content. For example, a recent regular feature of the news section has been Tales from the Towers (Micro Mart Towers being the pet name for the editorial offices used by magazine staff and contributors). Written by staff writer Michelle, this section gives a light-hearted look at the weeks events in the editorial office. The recent takeover has seen both the offices move from Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Michelle leave the team; TFTT became Tales from the Shed written by editor Simon Brew for a while, but currently isn't being included in the magazine (though it may return at a later date).
The magazine is the only English language commercial magazine to still have a regular section dedicated to the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
platform (this article recently celebrated its tenth birthday). This came about after readers requested such coverage, after several requests the Amiga section was launched.
Many sections in the magazine are devoted to reader contributions. The regular caption competition invites readers to submit a caption for a computing related image. A less regular (and more recent) addition is called Readers' dives. As the name suggests, this feature prints images of readers computer rooms (or dives). One section that has gained more response in recent months is the Windows Crashing feature, where readers send in pictures of Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
going wrong in public places (such as cash machines or photo booths). This particular feature has been replaced on one occasion with 'EVE Online Crashing', a news story / user submission hybrid featuring a crash occurring during the advert break of an EVE online Tournament.
In late 2005, the editorial team introduced readers' reviews. This section was intended for reviews of computer products submitted by readers, but a lack of response caused it to die out after a few months.
Micro Mart has a commitment to involving readers as much as possible in the publication. Many of the lead articles have been written by readers, and for some this has led to them pursuing a career in journalism. (Many of the magazine's current experts started in this way). According to editor Simon Brew, 95% of Micro Mart's Content is written by freelance journalists.
Online community
Micro Mart also has a large online community based on the website's forums. Currently there are slightly over 10,000 registered users (although a much smaller number regularly contribute). The forum is divided up to cover several topic sections (such as retro computing, Linux or gaming) and has a core group of contributors who answer questions and queries. The board is moderated by volunteers who each monitor different sections.Chatroom
The Micro Mart chat room is connected to the forums, most regularly used between midnight and 2am every night by certain forum users and moderators, there was also a monthly early evening meeting organised by Jason d'Allison (from the Ask Jason magazine column) where he answered questions. However, in October 2008 Jason D'Allison announced that the chatroom had "run its course", and the final official monthly met was held in December 2008. The chatroom does however see continued use by various forum regulars.Folding team
The Micro Mart folding@homeFolding@home
Folding@home is a distributed computing project designed to use spare processing power on personal computers to perform simulations of disease-relevant protein folding and other molecular dynamics, and to improve on the methods of doing so...
team was started in September 2005 by forum user Dr Jon. After some campaigning on the forums it was finally endorsed by the magazine and the team were given a separate sub-forum. A forumite - Tom Morton, wrote and hosted a script for displaying team members statistics in their forum signatures as well as writing a tutorial thread to help new folders. Another member, Fridgemaker, administrates a milestones thread in the folding forum.
After a slow start, Tom Morton's folding article was published in Micro Mart and membership increased. Currently, the team has over 200 members and is in the top 100 for teams worldwide. An important point was reached on the 22 November 2007, when SPIKE09 became the first member of the team to gain the prestigious 1,000,000 (one million) point milestone.
Gaming clan
The gaming clan is Micro Mart's most recent online addition. It was started in early 2006 by FridgeMaker (FM), VIPeR (V) and Tom Morton (Errant) as a group of forum members who joined up to play Counter-Strike Source. Since then, it has grown to cover other games and has a growing community of players.12 Months previously a new section named "Online Gaming Mart" was introduced into the magazine with the long term goal of running several gaming servers. In November 2006 it was announced on the magazine forums that the game servers were soon to be in place and a request for administrators to look after the servers was posted. So far the servers are yet to be launched.
The clan also registered a separate website address (www.mmmugs.co.uk).
Blog
A Micro Mart blog was set up in October 2005 but was abandoned quite quickly. After the move to Dennis Publishing, some new members of the Micro Mart editorial team have attempted to revive it, but it is still only updated sporadically.Editorial staff
- Editor: Anthony Enticknap
- Deputy Editor: Kevin Pocock*
- Bonus John: John Moore*
- Designers: Kevin Kamal, Laura Jane Gunnion
- *also writes features and reviews for the magazine
Sections
A list of regular sections (inc. editorial) in the magazine, listed in accordance with the magazine's Current Layout:- Features - A variety of articles on a wide range of computer-related subjects produced by freelance writers. They usually consist of a single lead story as well as several (approximately 8 each week) other pieces.
- On Test - Reviews and comparisons of computing hardware, software, and peripherals
- Group Test - Weekly group test of computer hardware/software. Recent tests include office suites, a roundup of the latest motherboards and AM2 processors. The rating system takes into account quality and value (with each being marked out of 10), from these an overall mark (again out of 10) is awarded. At the end of the roundup the overall best product is awarded Editors choice whilst the runner up receives a Highly recommended.
- Reviews - General reviews of the latest computer hardware/software. The products are reviewed by a variety of freelance reviewers and awarded marks out of 10 in the same way as the group tests.
- News and Views - News, editorial, and letters from the PC world
- Specialists - Commentary by six experts on computing fields of interest
- Beginners' Linux Mart (defunct) - Tips for using Linux for the first time, replaced in issue 1068 by Linux News
- Linux News - Latest News from the Global Linux Community, replaced Beginners' Linux Mart in issue 1068
- Amiga Mart - Amiga-related news and views, celebrated its tenth Anniversary in issue 1068
- Retro Mart - Retro gaming and old computers
- System Builder - Advice and tips from a professional PC builder
- Gaming Weekly - Weekly coverage of gaming news, containing separate columns for both online and offline news.
- Classified Ads - Free classified adverts
- Experts - Expert Q&A pages from four contributors
- Ask Jason - Technical computer questions
- Ask Aaron - General system building/software questions
- Ask Gordon - Programming and web development questions
- Ask James - Internet Security questions
- Logging Off... - One of the magazine's contributors ends the magazine with a short commentary/editorial piece.
- XWord - A Crossword Puzzle with Computing Terms