$310|1-Contributing... $331 By Kei/Crn $030 The WORD is an e-Zine for anyone. NFA set out with the goal of producing an internal disk magazine for themselves but after their contacts started getting their say on it's contents, by issue 5 it was a regular PD release. Carnage got involved through my friendship with Dick (aka Freak). We were planning our own diskmag "SMU" (working title) but we ended up helping out on The WORD and now we are doing it! Carnage are a group of computer enthusiasts who own quite a few makes of computer but we each cut our teeth on the Amiga scene and we consider it our home. We are not an "elite" demo/trader group but we consider ourselves to be "part" of the UK Amiga scene. We get together more than the average scene group even though we live far apart from each other. We call these get-togethers "Gathering's" and so far there have been 8 over the last 3 years. We use these few days to discuss Carnage, the Amiga scene, Carnage releases and what to do next. A major current topic is "The WORD" and how we can improve it. There are loads of glossy disk magazines out there that take so much effort that they barely survive past issue 2. We in Carnage don't want that to happen to The WORD so we aim to keep it going as long as we receive your support. In return for your precious support we pledge to maintain and update the WORD engine, edit articles, provide great music modules and imagery. So you know where WE are coming from. Here's what we need from you: $310|1-ARTICLES $030 The WORD is divided into sections. I suppose this makes it easier for us to clarify which section a particular article should fall under. You don't have to write an article to suit us though. We want you to write whatever YOU are interested in writing about. I find that the best articles are by those who are really interested in the subject they are writing about. Don't feel like you have to churn out a stack of articles though. If we get too many good articles and we lack the space to include them all then we'll include them in the next issue. We are happy if we receive one article from a reader that straight away, you can tell they have thought about what they are writing. I write a lot, I have to for university. What I tend to do though is I keep a piece of paper next to my monitor and when I suddenly think of a good topic for an article, I pencil a rough article header and synopsis down on the piece of paper. That way when I do sit down in front of my computer and start to type.. I have a clear idea of what I want to say. We will readily admit that our readership is male. This is not because of the content of this diskmag but due to the amount of ladies that use an Amiga. Although I chat via computer to many a female computer user everyday (IRC), they all own PC's and have no idea what a "scene" is. Therefore The WORD will come across to the average user as a male publication. What can you write about? Well articles like "My name is Jeremy and I'd like to tell you about my first sexual experience.." is not top of our list, besides, Dave Diamond has cornered the market! The Amiga scene is in a lull at present but we at Carnage and you, the reader are still here with an underated piece of kit in fromt of us, so let's use it! $310|1-Ideas.. $030 The computer scene is changing every day so articles on new technology and life in general are ok. We will include any news on the scene. This includes software reviews, group news, parties, rumours and general info. Just as long as they have not already been aired in another magazine already. UFO conspiracies and the paranomal are also popular topics, as is bizzare stories and the adult section. Reviews of films and music are also appreciated. Internet topics are also accepted. Start a topic thread on anything from surfing the net, hacking, satellite TV, people, places, nostalgia, football, cyberpunk, books or hamsters. Whatever you want to talk about is ok with us. Although we don't have a disclaimer (this isn't Phreaking Only!) we do reserve the right to refuse an article on the grounds that it discusess a topic that we think should not be aired in The WORD. I've only had to do this once recently for an article submitted for the adult section. Ideas on how to improve the WORD are greatly received and discussed. If you think the WORD isn't up to much then tell us why! Don't say "..because it's coded in AMOS" though. The engine was handed over to us in this format so we have to work with it. We did consider using our WIP diskmag engine but we figured such a complete change of interface might annoy the present readers. If you want us to change the WORD completly then tell us. Untill we get a huge enough response we will continue modifying Dick's engine. In my spare time I'll be working on coding the PC engine of The WORD. Soon you will be able to slag off PC's and get a reply from the PC users themselves! By issue 16 the Word will be on-line anyway so a PC version may not be needed but we will be keeping the Amiga version! $310|1-Messages $030 Got some contacts you wanna greet? Want your mam to be impressed by your name being on your Monitor? Or you just wanna update peeps.. Then write some messy's for the message articles! $310|1-Q & A $030 Got a question for the Word staff? Hard drive won't work, your 1200 won't run certain software or your satellite system can't receive 1D? Then write in to the Q & A forum and we'll attempt to answer your question or find someone who can! $310|1-Adverts $030 We will include any articles sent to us that are by people looking for new contacts or to sell/buy stuff. Images and texts are ok. You can advertise your BBS or Web Site as well. It's raining outside. The chicken burgers are in the microwave and the pepsi's chilled.. Hit that power switch, surf workbench and let inspiration flow through your fingers... end