Publishers Note 06/97

Publisher’s Note - June 1997

What is this Internet thing anyway?

Some people look at me funny when I tell them that I check my e-mail six to ten times a day. "Are you serious?" Is the usual ensuing question. I think to myself, this person has no idea as to the power of the Internet. So I usually answer, "Not into computers, huh?" The common reply, "Nope, not really." Then I try to move on to another topic.

Did you know that July will mark the one-year anniversary of the new and improved MODE here in Harrisburg. What’s that? You didn’t know that there was a previous MODE back in 1990. Well, let me tell you a little story... Once upon a time, a young, brash graphic designer decided that Buffalo, NY needed another entertainment publication. He set off in a determined fashion. He found investors, writers, reporters, a good printer, and a fair sales team. Months of preparation and planning birthed a sharp little paper, much like the MODE you see today. Needless to say, lack of experience and some very unfortunate circumstances led to the premature retirement of the original MODE. But before the mast of the ship sunk below the horizon, that graphic designer swore that MODE would return. Seven years and seven successful publications later, MODE rose from the ashes and on her one-year anniversary, (a milestone for any start-up publication), has proven to be a solid contributor to the betterment of the culture that is Harrisburg, PA.

This may seem trivial to you, but it reinforces a belief that I have held dear for many years. Anything you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. Now, this may seem silly to you, but remember that every single thing ever created by man began with someone having an idea and acting on it.

My point to all this is that if you have an idea that you really think can be a winner, but you never act on it, you’re actually doing yourself and the people in your life an injustice. Believe me, taking the leap to start this reincarnated MODE required more than I had to give, but I’d never trade the experience for anything in the world. Live your dreams, but mean it. Nuff said.

So, at what point in an endeavor do you consider something a success? In March of 1996, almost secretly, (the second) MODE went live on the Internet, (MODEweekly.com, (formerly MODEmagazine.com)). At that time we had an incredible array of experimental technology on our site, so much that only power users could reap any real benefit or enjoyment. But much to our surprise, it won Microsoft’s Ultimate Web Site of the Week award, which was pretty cool. For a long time, we just maintained our Web site. Adding calendar information and updating it every month or so. Just this past month, MODE hired a full time Internet programmer or WebMaster to manage our site. It’s grown to over 300 pages, and needs some serious attention. Well, as our WebMaster was working on our site, he discovered our "site statistics" for the month of March, 1997. MODEweekly.com, (formerly MODEmagazine.com) received 13,125 "hits" (someone clicked on something within our site), in March. Once we found that out, we started furiously upgrading and adding useful and beneficial content to our site. Well, the April statistics are in and we had 17,008 hits on our site. WOW!

So, on the eve of our one-year anniversary, MODE is making a pledge to our readers and Internet Site browsers. In 1997, MODEweekly.com, (formerly MODEmagazine.com) will be the ultimate Internet resource for information about Harrisburg, PA. One really cool (exclusive) feature of our "new and improved" web site is a new department called Local Exposure. This department is solely for the review of local musicians’ CDs. The cool part is: while you can read the review in the print edition of MODE, starting in July you will also be able to go to MODEweekly.com, (formerly MODEmagazine.com) and listen to actual excerpts of tracks from each artist’s CD. We will also be broadcasting LIVE images and audio feeds from local concert events over the coming months.

Interestingly, our site statistics can’t tell us who you are, but they can tell us where you’re plugging-in from, when, and what you’re checking out. So far we know this. Wednesday at Noon is the peak time for activity on our site, and Sunday morning (figures) is the "quiet time". Finally, we know that over 65% of you check out AGENDA (our event calendar) on-line every month. So, look for improvements in that department as well.

Thanks so much for your continuing support, and e-mail me will ya? TTFN.

Scot Giambalvo, Publisher