Reader Mail
Reader Comments About the August 1, 1997 issue:Subject: Online vs. On-line
I wanted to vote on the issue of "online" or "on-line"; however, I also use "on line." You see, I believe at issue is whether to use the hyphen when modifying a noun as in the examples "online support" or "online banking." The example "are you reading the news online or on-line" isn't an issue for me. I would write "reading the news on line" because a simple prepositional phrase works well here. Having said that, if I could vote simply for the adjective-before-a-noun style, I'd vote for "online."
Cheers!
Diane W. Lacey
Freelance technical editor and indexer
Subject: General
Your journal is just great. I am a Kuala Lumpur-based fulltime freelance writer, and am in the process of writing about the Internet for the Asian regional press. Your journal will be of tremendous help!
G. K. Lim
Kuala Lumpur
gklim@tm.net.my
Subject: The overall format and editorial policy
Thank you for a most useful, intelligent and forward thinking magazine. I recently defended "technology" in a debate where your articles would have served to forward my presentation without my saying anything. Congratulations on a fine production.
Frances Sbrocchi
Perth, Western Australia
naisburi@mail.iinet.net.au
Subject: Page one.
The very first sentence in issue one, number one of the Internet Writer's Journal reads "What are the eight things journalists must do not to get left behind in the midst of the electronic revolution?" Excuse me? The first thing journalists must do not is write wrong.
Noah Veil
Hollywood, CA
dare2b@earthlink.net
Dear Noah Veil (Yes, we get it -- "no avail"),
We think that the first thing one should do before firing off a letter to the editor is to pick up a basic grammar book. The negative infinitive form of a verb is formed by placing the adverb "not" before the infinitive. To place it after the "to" would split the infinitive form, causing an incorrect, clumsy and awkward phrase. Or as Shakespeare put it, "To be or not to be..." Not "To be or to not be...".
The Editors
Subject: Volume 1 Issue 1
This looks likely to become another great resource for writers! Just one quibble - could you please change the red-on-black, black-on-red color scheme? Very difficult to read....
Dave Kearns
Austin, Texas
dkearns@vquill.com
Dear Dave,
We are glad you like it -- thanks! When we started the magazine a decision was made to design the IWJ to be viewed with Netscape 3.0 or higher or with Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher. On new browsers and computers the colors are perfectly legible and show up as a vivid reddish orange on a black background, which most of our readers seem to find quite attractive. However, on older browswers the colors may be harder to see. Viewers who are using Windows 3.1 and the older version of the AOL Internet Explorer browser also may have the same problem. Therefore, we are considering providing a text-only downloadable version of The IWJ at some time in the future.
The Editors
Subject: On-line/Online controversy
I visited the new Internet Writing Journal and it looks fantastic! How do I subscribe? I prefer "online".
Jennifer Fisher
Averill Park, NY
Jennuz@aol.com
Dear Jennifer,
Thanks! You do not have to subscribe to the IWJ; it will be available free online on the first business day of each month. It looks like most people agree with you -- "online" won in this month's poll.
The Editors
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