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technofile
Al
Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983
R
e a d e r s s p e a k
Many tell me and the newspaper they are upset over the
cancelation of my technology columns
Feb. 6, 2006
121 letters received so far
By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2006, Al Fasoldt
The newspaper
that has published my technology articles since the 1980s, The Syracuse
Post-Standard, announced recently that it was canceling its weekly Technology
section and the two columns I write for it. I had no warning that the two
columns would be canceled, and got the news after returning from my father's
funeral. As of Feb. 1, the Technology section and the two columns are no
longer in The Post-Standard.
Some readers
asked where they could write to express their opinions. The editors can be
reached by writing to letters@syracuse.com.
As of Sunday,
Feb. 5, the newspaper had published only one of the letters readers sent in.
Note that the newspaper canceled
two of my three columns. The one I write for the Sunday paper was not
affected. Some of the letter writers quoted here assumed that all three were
canned. Not so.
I've been asked why I'm not providing
responses to the questions readers are asking in the letters. I'm just
letting everyone have a say in this, without comments from me. I write all
the time; this is your time to write.
Please note that letters are
arriving faster than I can post them, so I am doing the best I can in getting
them online. The volume of responses is overwhelming me and humbling me at
the same time.
Thank you for your loyalty and
your support. I've said repeatedly, in the many seminars and speeches I've
given over the years, on TV and on the radio as well as in print, that I'm a
lucky guy: I have the most interesting job in the world, the best readers and
the most loyal friends. You're a wonderful bunch.
You have
helped me solve many a Windows problem, which I appreciate greatly. I cannot
understand why your column would be canceled. Did they even bother asking us,
the readers?? -- J.K.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
What could have been going through your mind to
cancel the Wednesday columns by Al Fasoldt?! I do not consider myself a technology "geek",
but I do spend a fair amount of time at work and at home on a computer. I have always enjoyed his
column and the way that he could "talk" to readers like me about
computer-related subjects in a way that they could be easily understood, and
enjoyable to read.
Over the years, I have occasionally written to Al
with a computer problem I was experiencing at home. Each and every time, he found the time to send me a
response that helped solve the problem.
The dedication he has to his profession and, most importantly, his
readers, is, in my book, quite unique and special!
I am quite certain that I am not alone when I say
that I will miss Al's columns, and feel that you have made a big blunder
canceling his columns in the bush way you chose to do it.
Was it his outspoken opinion of Microsoft, or some
back-room pressure from Microsoft to eliminate the criticism??
Face it, you guys made a mistake, and if you had
the guts to listen to the many readers who agree with me, you'd reverse your
decision. -- D.W.
I think the P-S has made a big mistake in removing
your columns from the Technology Section of their paper. I as many other readers are very
angry with the paper. My next e-mail will be to the paper letting them know
of my displeasure with their bone-headed decision. Hope to see you and Dr. Gizmo
back. Thanks for all your great articles. -- J.P.
I want to
thank you again for coming to my aid several times when I was lost in the sea
of computer problems. Along with that, I am distressed at the moves that The
Post-Standard has made
with the technology pages. A bit like pulling the rug out from under us.
Their delirious deletions have ticked me off.
The other
day, an editorial note stated that few objections about ending your tech
column in the daily pages have been received. I am sure that there are many
people who just don't bother to make the effort. Personally, I always enjoyed
that column and especially the one in the Sunday Stars supplement. -- B.H.
I want you
to know that I read your columns all the time and have gained a lot of
knowledge through them. Also, keep up the wry sense of humor! -- R.V.
I feel sad, even outraged, to learn the news of
the cancelation of your columns. I even had my brother who lives in North
Carolina hooked on your articles. In fact he credits you for convincing him
to switch to Macs. I'm copying this note to him.
I have a file of many of your back articles for
reference. I learned so much from you. I truly find this distressing but will
keep checking www.technofileonline.com.
I have often wished you offered some courses
through some place like BOCES. Perhaps that will be possible.
Thank you for all your help to many, many people
over the years. -- D.M.
First
I want to say that I really hate to see you will no longer be in the Syracuse
papers. You have helped me out on several occasions with my iMac. (I bought
this several years ago on your advice and have been very pleased with it.) --
W.L.
I'm really sorry that you're leaving and will miss
you a lot. I want to thank you for all the help you have given me from the time
of the Point 'n' Click TV show to the present. -- G.D.
I have
thoroughly enjoyed your Dr. Gizmo column every Wednesday with its
down-to-earth, useful computing tips. Your OS X column was another excellent
resource. Both will be missed very much on my part. I am sure that all of
your readers will agree with me that your columns contained valuable
technology advice. I just wanted to let you know that I will continue to
enjoy your Sunday articles. Keep up the great work. -- CGA
It is with
some degree of sadness that I write this e-mail, after reading of the
cancelation of your articles. I always looked forward to reading them in the
Wednesday Technology section of the P-S, and now I'll have to be satisfied
with reading the Police Blotter in Neighbors North. Bummer!
Thanks to
you, Al, my knowledge and understanding of computers was made into a very
smooth transition. I asked questions and you gave me very succinct and timely
answers. I know you'll still be with us but it just seems a shame that the
newspaper would be that shortsighted to cancel those wonderful columns. Maybe
the big guy in the sky is trying to tell you something. Folks of our age
should be thinking about retiring. Now there's food for thought!
Thanks again Al for all your help in the past. It has been
invaluable. One consolation is that we still have Technofile! Take care Al
and use any extra time you have to relax; it really is therapeutic. -- R.S.
I want to remind you why we need you to continue
your Mac column, and your buddy needs to continue Dr. Gizmo. There are MANY
of us readers of The Post-Standard for whom your THREE columns are the highlight of
our newspaper-reading week.
I enjoyed today's column in Stars, but can't
imagine that Dr. Gizmo and Road Less Traveled will really not be in my
Wednesday paper. I was going to cancel the paper, but 1 - my wife wants the
coupons, 2 - neither of us could miss our daily fix of your comics section,
and 3 - I'm running an ad every Monday in sections 1 or 2 and want to be sure
they get printed.
Please explain to your editors that many readers
have written you with similar feelings. -- M.R.S.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
You have been delivering your newspaper to our
house for the last 34 years, and I have been a faithful reader. I
particularly rely on your columns supporting my hobbies of gardening and
computers. Carol Bradford has raised Stan MunroÕs gardening columns to new
heights, something I wouldnÕt have thought possible. But the world of
computing is subject to infinitely faster and greater change than that of
gardening. ThatÕs why we need Al FasoldtÕs columns to keep us on top of how we need to change just to keep up
with new developments.
Al Fasoldt has been particularly helpful over the
last decades in helping me and thousands of others to navigate the surge of
electronic devices that have entered and even threatened to take over our
lives—VCRs, DVDs, computers, digital cameras, etc. Manuals (if they
exist) for these devices range from unintelligible to overly complex. His
straightforward Q & A columns (and other columns stemming from readersÕ
needs) help us to decipher them. For each person whose problem is solved,
countless more readers are enlightened, and even more have the information
available when they need it through the invaluable Technofile access on your
web site.
I have used computers for over 30 years, but I
havenÕt had time to join user groups, attend classes, or even read computer
magazines. AlÕs columns have been my main resource for keeping me up to
speed. He skillfully addresses problems of both old hands and raw beginners.
The appearance of each new device means we all practically start over in the
process of learning. HeÕs led me through all the metamorphoses of Apples,
Windows, and Macintoshes through the years. In the last few years, I have
encountered problems for which I couldnÕt find published answers on the web,
in manuals, or earlier columns. I canÕt tell you how relieved IÕve been with
the way heÕs got me over some major stumbling blocks through his e-mail
responses to my SOS.
I have not read any other columnist who addresses
the changing range of digital hassles that beset consumers these days. Others
you have been adding to the Technology Section really donÕt focus on the same
issues and the same group of readers. I can only urge you not to limit Al
Fasoldt to one column on Sundays but to keep his columns and consider
syndicating them. TheyÕre so cogent and useful to a wide range of readers
that they should be shared with a wider audience. -- L.C.S.
I have to tell you that I'm not happy that the P-S
cancelled your columns in the weekly technology section. I always made it a point to read
them. I'm sure that as that door closes, another will swing open to a better
opportunity! -- D.W.
The other
day when we received The Post Standard and I read about the Technology section being eliminated, a
couple of thoughts entered my head. First I thought, oh no -- I look forward
to all of the information on technology each week ,especially Dr. Gizmo and
Al and then I thought well my friend Al will certainly find other things to
do and be very happy. To you I wish all the best and I will miss your
columns and the knowledge that you fed us each week.
You are the
one that convinced me to buy an Apple because of the trust I had in your
knowledge. You helped me many times with problems that must have seemed very
elementary to you but were a mind boggler to me. You gave me confidence and
information allowing me to enjoy my PC and iMac more than I would have had it
not been for you. Thank you so much.
I'm wishing
you happiness, fun and enjoyment -- and fill your time with all that you find
makes you feel the best. -- J.P.
45 years ago when I was a sophomore in high school
my English teacher used The Post-Standard and The Herald Journal as examples of poor
newspapers. If anything The Post-Standard is even worse today. Just
recently I saw a headline making a negative comment about the economy. The
article however had nothing but positive things for paragraph after paragraph
except for one sentence and even that was qualified with a positive rejoinder.
What kind of newspaper would do such a thing except for one that values
attention grabbing headlines over accuracy?
The sports section and the Technology section
(along with some columns) have been about the only things worth reading. I
haven't always agreed with you but it was always worth reading. You will be
sorely missed! -- T.C.
Since moving out of the county last summer, I haven't followed
the papers as much as I usually do; however a letter caught my eye today
about your column being terminated. That is a real shame. You have
always been so helpful to your readers and, as a matter of fact, to me
personally on several topics. I see, however, that you are going to continue
on with the Sunday column.
You helped me so extensively a couple of years ago, I feel
like we sort of got to be friends. So, though I donÕt want to be nosey,
IÕm wondering if this is a positive move that you are making in your own best
interests, if you are "retiring" in stages, or is something else
afoot here?
I hope that this will turn out to be a "good" change
for you. When one door closes, and all that. É -- D.C.
You changed from writing about PC's to (writing about) Apples.
Most of us don't own Apples in spite of your pushing Apples.
I've been disappointed with your Apple columns and expressed
that displeasure to The Post Standard. I understand that you believe in Apple but most of us
are PC'ers. -- B.K.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
We
will miss you greatly Al. I guess we are losing our friend and adviser. The
only reason I buy The Post-Standard on Sunday is the Stars magazine, and only then
for Al Fasoldt's articles. I really don't understand why you are canceling
it. Maybe there is a good reason but it's beyond me. -- R.B.
I'm saddened by the loss of your column, as obviously are
other readers.
In my case it reminds me of the day I was subjected to the
same thing in oddly the same way by the editors at The Globe and Mail here in Toronto.
I transferred to the business section, worked as a copy editor
until I retired at 65, then began to write a series of online columns for a
local computer club (something I still do at 78) and recently was asked to
start writing a weekly column for a suburban newspaper here as well.
The world works in odd ways. I wish you all the best. -- B.R.
Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
I am saddened to
learn of the cancelation of Al Fasoldt's regular column in your paper. I
think Mr. Fasoldt is one of the reasons that educated, upscale, and informed
citizens read the Syracuse Post-Standard.
In his farewell
remarks, Mr. Fasoldt says good-bye with a great deal of class. He wrote that
your decision is based, in part, of having to compete in a "difficult
market." As an educator, I am confident that this is true as I know
first-hand how hard it is to get young people to read. Believe me, you have
my sympathies.
However, I am
not sure I understand how reducing the number of features in your newspaper
is going to remedy this problem. Especially if one of the features you
eliminate is one that likely appeals to a demographic that is more
educated, probably actually buys and reads a newspaper, and more than likely
earns a higher income -- which I think is especially important to your
advertisers.
I know that
these are trying times for print media, not just in Syracuse, but nationwide.
However, cutting a feature that gives me, an information technology
professional and educator, a compelling reason to purchase your paper, seems
counter-productive.
One of the few
remaining world-class enterprises in the Syracuse/CNY area is education -
especially higher education. One aspect of almost every degree program that I
am familiar with, is that today, an educated person is expected to have some
familiarity with information technology. Mr. Fasoldt's columns provide
everyone with a common sense style and approach to many of the latest
developments in the IT and related fields. In fact, there are so many things
happening, that even professionals in the IT field cannot keep up with many
of the wide-ranging developments in the digital arena. I believe Mr.
Fasoldt provides an invaluable service to many educated professionals n the
CNY area. I honestly believe that you may have made a huge mistake with this
decision. I think you may find that this may result in a continued erosion of
a most desirable demographic portion of your readership.
Finally, I know
that you may not have a large number of readers living south of Syracuse, but
I would like to inform you that I have tried to subscribe to your newspaper.
But apparently you do not have any carriers that deliver to my location.
Thus, I am forced to remember to pick up a copy from the newsstand. I am
sorry to report that, in the past I have not always managed to do so. Now
that you have dropped Mr. Fasoldt's column, I will be even less likely
to pick up a paper. He will be missed - at least by me. However, I do thank
you for offering his thoughts and ideas till now. -- K.K.
We at our house are very sad that they had taken your columns
out of the newspaper. The Wednesday newspaper was the highlight of the week.
What are we going to do now? Thank God we have your archives.
We will miss you very much. God be with you
and yours. -- B.K.
I'll miss the
Technology section of the paper. I hope you can continue somewhere. -- M.C.
I was stunned to learn of your cancellation of Mr.
Fasoldt's technology columns. Whatever business model you've relied on to
back up this decision is faulty. The Syracuse Post-Standard has a high internet
recognition factor as the publisher of Mr. Fasoldt's columns, reaching far
beyond the geographical distribution of the newspaper itself.
I may not buy your paper, but I still put money in
the pocket of your parent group, Advance Publications. The Internet has made
the world small, and consumers more aware of who owns what. I'll think twice
now before I plunk down money at the magazine stand for House & Garden, or Architectural Digest - and most likely, just keep
walking. -- P.P.
I was sorry to read the paper this morning and see
that your column will be ending on Technology. Over the past many years, I
have read it and learned a lot! I have even used your column in my classes
many times. I will miss the column. Since you have a little extra time, would
you be willing to volunteer some time and come talk to some undergraduate
students at OCC about future Technology Trends in Central New York? I teach
CIS 100 - Introduction to Computers on Monday nights this semester and I look
forward to continuing to read your column on Sundays! -- L.S.M.
Thanks for your many columns over the years. You
have helped me bridge the PC and Mac gap, and make the most out of each. I'm writing
from my upgraded Mac where I still use HyperCard, Canvas, Photoshop, Word,
etc. All owned and licensed. My Mac is my internet life line, fire wall, and
the platform for my creative energies. On the other side of my office sits my
PC, where I do GIS work, PowerPoint and video work. Between them is an
Ethernet line, and that line is linked to a WiFi, and that WiFi is connected
. . . you get the idea. Now, I have written the editor to register my
discontent. Hard copy to him in hopes he may "get it." Not sure he
will, but I'm on record anyways. -- W.A.
(Letter sent to me and the newspaper:)
I was surprised and upset to learn the
Post-Standard will no longer carry a separate "Technology" section.
This was a part of the newspaper that I looked
forward to reading each week, especially Al Fasoldt's columns. For a number
of years, I have felt very fortunate to have learned a great deal about
computers via Al's wisdom. With his encouragement, I switched to the Mac and
left my frustrating PC problems behind.
I urge you to re-think your decision. Or, at the
least, find a way to continue to run "Technofile" and "Dr.
Gizmo." In this fast-paced world of change, many of us need the type of
support and education these columns provide.
(Letter sent to me and the newspaper:)
Please reconsider keeping Al Fasoldt as a columnist and a
source of technology for many New Yorkers. This day and age is so
technologically advanced that canceling his articles should not even be an
afterthought. The column is not only read by Central New Yorkers but all
New Yorkers. Every person that I have been in contact with, love the articles
he presents and cherishes every article he writes. Al shares his insight
enthusiastically and passionately. He is a true asset to your paper and he is
one of the reasons for The Post Standard's loyal reader base. -- R.G.
I will miss your articles giving tips and tricks for both the
Macs and PCs. Will the Stars articles be available online? -- C.B.
Sorry you
will not be in the paper. I will miss seeing your wife's smile. I always
smiled when her picture was in. My nephew said papers are not selling
well because the young people don't read it. I just canceled all but the
Saturday and Sunday paper. Too many for me. The Sunday paper is most
important. I hope to always be in touch with you. God bless. -- M.D.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
My husband and I
hope that The Post-Standard
will reconsider its decision to cancel the Technology section of the
Wednesday paper, especially Al Fasoldt's columns.
As older PC and
now Mac users who were not computer literate in the least and had difficulty
understanding manuals and the language of learning to use computers, we found
Al's columns early on. On several occasions we emailed him with questions and
problems and he never failed to respond, usually the same day. We always
looked forward to reading his columns for up-to-date information that we
could understand and then often clipped and mailed them to our computer savvy
children out of town who have never failed to appreciate his expertise and
humor.
We would certainly
not have the functional, SAFE computers and the love of the technology that
we now have without him. He is certainly one of a kind and will be sorely
missed. Without knowing it, he has been a real member of our family, giving
us the advice we needed to keep in touch!
If he can put the
columns together fast enough we'd sure like to find him in our next week's
Wednesday paper! -- P.B.
I just wanted to take a minute to say
thanks for all the advice you have given. I enjoy both of your columns and
hate to see the Tech Section go. I looked forward to it each week. With all
the s**t in the paper I can't believe they are screwing with this.
Anyway I'll keep reading you in the Stars
and Thanks again. -- J.M.
I have seen many
hair-brained decisions in my life and the one that affects you is probably
even more hair brained. There is a great demand in the ranks of the many
computer owners and users who don't quite reach the level of quasi-expert for
the advice which you have been providing for years. I hope that you are
looking into such things as writing a book, maybe a Web site, maybe a
syndicated radio show. -- J.R.
For the last
several years, a highlight of our annual programming is the opportunity to
hear from and to quiz Al Fasoldt on the current goings-on in the world of
computing. He Is, from our perspective, a most knowledgeable expert in the
field. We make use of his website to peruse his archives for help with many
issues.
AlÕs outspoken,
honest, no-holds-barred approach has been a breath of fresh air in a field
where too many media sources are pouring out canned messages (advertising)
from manufacturers. We can depend upon Al to give us straight-arrow tips, the
lowdown, the truth. He has no axes to grind.
Aside from AlÕs
value to many of us, we are hard-pressed to understand why the Technology
section of the newspaper would be discontinued. I attended a BOCES class last
night where beginning lessons were conducted for people willing to pay a few
dollars for the personal assistance. I wasnÕt surprised to see white haired
old ladies (IÕm 80.) and bald-headed old men (IÕve no hair.) in profusion
among the participants. There is no dearth of interest in computing that IÕm
aware of.
In fact, the
need for a Technology section is an ever-increasing one. Today I received a
typical email with a humorous focus on what it would be like if GM produced a
car and sold it in the way that Microsoft does. One line went, ÒYouÕd have to
learn to shut it off by clicking on Start.Ó Another was: ÒIf something goes
wrong with the car, youÕd have to pull over to the side of the road and
reload the engine.Ó
This omnipresent
humor tells me that most of us suffer a plague of problems in utilizing
computers and computer programs. Without an Al Fasoldt, without a Technology
section, many of us are handicapped in managing our maniacal Microsoft
software . . . as well as the software of others, of course.
What a treat it
is, how the value of our newspaper increases, when on a Wednesday we can
peruse a potent bit of info that might just give us some relief from the
problematic potions poured on us by computer businesses which often seem out
of touch with us customers, and yes, out of touch with the real world.
The Mohawk
Valley Personal Computer User Group, Inc. represents some 125 enthusiasts in
the Utica/Rome area. While I cannot speak officially for the club, I would be
quite sure that many of them would join local Syracuse computer users in
expressing great disappointment at the loss of a valuable part of the
Post-Standard that enhanced the worth of that daily newspaper for its many
readers. -- R.D.S., Program Chair, Member, Board
of Directors, Mohawk Valley PC User Group, Inc.
Sorry to hear about the demise of Technology
section in PS. Truly enjoyed your views and the doctor's views. Thank you so
much for all you've done over the years to make computing on Macs and Windows
fun and easy for all of us. -- T.R.
It
was sad to read about the demise of the Technology section in the paper
yesterday. I felt like a friend had died. I spent time on your web site
reading all those
wonderful letters and comments that so many people had written. I
think a lot of people who read the Technology section also go to your
Web site. Is there a chance that you can incorporate further articles
from the Doc's column and Road Less Traveled into your Web
site? The down side is that it won't put money in your pocket. The
up side is that we will
still benefit from your expertise. -- J.U.
Sometimes
change is good and sometimes it isn't. In this case it isn't. I fully
understand how you feel about the change. Obviously, what the P-S has decided
to do is nothing personal. It's pure stupidity on their part. They say
"technology is everywhere." The way I see it is "let's have
our readers go everywhere to find it!" The section should have
been expanded, not expired. -- J.U.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
My two teenage
sons and I are extremely disappointed that the Post-Standard is planning to
terminate the Technology section, effective immediately. Saying that
technology is "everywhere" and that as a result you're making the
various technology articles harder and less convenient to find makes no sense
to me. Obviously, with technology rapidly changing all around us, there
are many of your readers who are extremely interested in this subject (just
as many are apparently interested in sports), and eliminating this weekly
section does us a disservice.
It's been
wonderful having all of these related articles that we were always
interested in reading conveniently placed into one weekly section, and
we will now be missing several articles that were of great value and interest
to us. We don't get the Sunday paper (and don't plan to get it), so the
columns that you're moving to Stars will now be lost to us. We'll probably
simply "miss" a number of the other technology related articles
that you will occasionally sprinkle in various sections (we don't read every
page of the paper). And I can't believe that you're dropping both of Al
Fasoldt's two excellent columns. None of this makes sense to me -- is it
your intention to upset your subscribers?
My family is
extremely interested in technology, and we will miss the Technology section if you drop it. You
will be turning your newspaper into something that will be of less value to
us than it was before.
I hope you will
reconsider this decision. -- R.M.
I have been meaning to write to you for
quite some time. I am on the faculty at a college in the Computer Studies
Department.
During my first year, we had a computer
club and I know that they invited you to campus. Unfortunately, I was unable
to attend your presentation.
I am a "Mac guy" and I want to
thank you for making it so much easier to BE a Mac person in CNY. Before
moving here in 1999, my wife and I lived in Green Bay, WI, and it was not a
Mac-friendly town. For most of the past 15 years I have been involved in
education at the K-16+ level. I have always believed that for schools, a
Macintosh computer is almost always far superior to the other alternatives -
especially if money and technical resources are in short supply. As you
know, there are not very many schools where this is not the case.
During the especially "dark
years" in the mid '90s, it was particularly difficult to maintain
Apple advocacy. Unfortunately, many schools have removed their Macs and I
know that students are paying a price for this in reduced access to digital
technology and the same schools have usually seen tremendous increases in
tech support costs. The dedicated teacher taking care of school computers and
labs (usually working in this capacity for free) has been replaced by a
technology specialist with little understanding of the uses of computers for
teaching and learning. But, I am sure you already know this.
Tonight, I am writing to you to let you
know how much I, and no doubt many others, are grateful for you using your
bully pulpit to help make it safe, and maybe even fashionable, to use a Mac.
Being a Mac user today borders on actually being chic and cool. What a
difference 10 years can make, eh? Thanks so much for helping to turn the
tide.
One of the new classes at our college this
year is built around the iLife suite. I think your support of the platform
has made it possible for the Administration and my colleagues to support my
efforts with this class. I have already made contact with Apple to try to
obtain an iTunes U presence here.
As you move forward with the next
adventures in your life, I want to wish you the best and thank you for all
your past columns and sweat and tears.
If you wish, I would be delighted if you
would like to get together and let me buy you lunch sometime. - K.W.K.
So sorry to hear they are canceling
your column, I read it every week and learned something every time. You have
helped me a lot. I appreciate your past help and wish you the best. Looking
forward to see you in the Stars magazine. -- C.C.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
Let me get this
straight, "Technology is everywhere," so you're going to drop
the weekly section and integrate Tech stories into other sections of the
paper? Meanwhile, you're dropping two very popular and informative
columns, Al Fasoldt's Road Less Traveled and Dr. Gizmo, in the process. Under
your rationale, "Money is everywhere," so we'll soon stop reading
that section and finding money articles integrated through out the paper
also? Neighbors are everywhere É get the point? The articles by Mr. Fasoldt
and his alter ego, Dr. Gizmo, have been both informative and entertaining
over the years. I plead for you to re-consider your decision to drop this
section. Sometimes it's tough to read the whole paper at once. By keeping the
Technology section it would be easier to read related articles in one
section rather than carrying the whole paper around. -- C.B.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
I was very
disappointed to learn that Dr. Gizmo and The Road Less Traveled have been
cancelled along with the Technology section. I can understand the cancelation
of the Tech section as it was mostly wire copy. Al Fasoldt is a local writer
who not only knows the computer world, but explains it very well, with a wry
sense of humor to boot. I have learned so much about computer from him on
Point and Click, Random Access and his columns. I do not have a Mac yet I
still enjoy his columns about them. Once a week in Stars is not enough.
Without him, I will not longer have an automatic first read on Wednesday.
BRING BACK UNCLE AL! -- J.C.
Thanks for the many years of good advice.
Wednesday's paper won't be the same. We are fortunate that you will still be
visiting us on Sunday. I look forward to reading your column for a long time
to come. -- A.B.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
Please tell me how
it is prudent to remove a valuable resource from a consolidated form and
scatter it? What should your subscribers do? Shall we hunt, peck & try to
remember what day & what section a particular technology feature will
publish? You haven't made things easy for your Subscribers, and obviously
don't give a whit! I'm not happy!
To further add to
the total lack of regard for us your readers, you cancel Technofile & Dr.
Gizmo!! BOO-HISS!!
What was a unique
and wonderful resource for us all, you just eliminate. I certainly hope Al
will be given the space to continue one of the best features of The Post
Standard.
You cite a move of
the video game coverage as your first example of "the changes,"
excuse me, but do you really think the majority of your readers are
interested? No, you can't justify this decision, no way, no how it just plain
stinks.
I wish I could
cancel my subscription, but you're the only game in town. Then again....
there is the Internet, and the nightly news. É -- S.P.
Let me add to the
roar. It was certainly a misguided decision to discontinue your valuable
columns. I have learned much from them over the years. To scatter technology
items to the winds instead of Wednesday's consolidation makes no sense. I've
watched the downward spiral of the quality of the paper over the years, and
this contributes to its weakening. I have a suggestion for the editors:
substitute an "L" for the "P" in the name of the paper.
God bless. -- B.C.
I am extremely disappointed to learn that
your column has been canceled. It was so refreshing to have a knowledgeable
non-PC voice in the Syracuse paper.
Will you continue to post new articles on
your Web site? I hope so! -- M.T.
"I read the
news today É oh boy. É"
I'm sure you
recognize that line from an old melancholy Beatles tune. But it's certainly
appropriate with today's sad news. I just can't believe the paper would do
this to you or us, your faithful readers. Because of you, I probably wouldn't
be able to even send an e-mail because of all the crap that tries to infest
my PC. I'm sure the paper is going to hear from many of your readers. I sent
an e-mail to the readers page as follows:
To the editor:
You are doing a
great disservice to anyone who uses a computer by discontinuing Al Fasoldt's
columns (Dr. Gizmo and Road Less Traveled) in the Technology section in
Wednesday's paper. Because of his "down to earth style" articles on
computer viruses, firewalls, helpful tips, etc., my pc runs smoothly. Personally,
I and hundreds of other readers, can not thank him enough for his help. You
should thank him by keeping his columns available, not just the one in the
Sunday paper. When it comes to computer knowledge, more is better. Please
reconsider and give Al more space, not less.
I don't know
whether or not it will get printed in the paper. Only about half of the stuff
I send in ever gets put in print. I have a feeling that so many readers will
write in, that they will have to create a special section in the readers' page
that they sometimes do when they receive a lot of response to a particular
subject. If you don't get reinstated in the Technology section, is there any
chance you would consider posting your (continuing) columns on the Web site
where we sometimes go to look up some of your old articles? We would love to
continue to get fresh informative articles from you and your pal if there is
any way possible. -- A.S.
I read again that
the Wednesday tech page has ended as of today. I've followed your info and
the other half for a long time and also in the Stars page. And will continue
to read your column in the Stars. As always thanks for all the help in the
past. You both have helped a lot. Although I've probably been a pain at
times. Best wishes. -- M.B.
Our whole family is heartbroken about the
P-S decision to can the Technology section and both your column and your
friend's. Saying that Technology is "everywhere," and as a
consequence they're planning to make the various articles harder to find, makes
zero sense to us. I hope the editors will reconsider this decision. -- R.M.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
We think you
are making a big mistake by removing the Technology section from your
Wednesday addition of the Post Standard, and wish you and the senior editors
would reconsider.
We have always
look forward to the latest innovations, but especially DR. Gizmo and Al
Fasoldt, who has helped this old timer, who knows squat about computers, many
times in the past. -- R.S.
Not only am I sad
that the paper is canceling the Technology section, but I will especially
miss your Mac column. I have been a Mac man since the hammer went through the
screen in the first Apple Mac Super Bowl commercial (was that in '84?) and it
was so nice to have someone speak so enthusiastically and knowledgeably about
the Mac. I will look forward to your column in the Stars section. Thank you
for all the help you have been to me. Maybe they will be able to find
room for you on the back of the Business section.
Good luck &
God Bless. -- Rev. P.R.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
I am terribly
disappointed to learn recently of your decision to cancel Al's columns in
both your Wednesday and Sunday papers. How can you eliminate the Technology
section of the paper when every day there is new news in this rapidly
expanding field? On the contrary, there should be a separate Tech section of
the paper each day! Each Wednesday the Technology section is always the first
section I turn to when I look to see what Al has to say and what advice he
has especially about Macs, my favorite computers. On Sundays it is the same:
I turn to the back of the STARS section for Al, my favorite columnist. I have
e-mailed Al more than once for his computer advice and have received a prompt
personal answer with help for my problem.
I know I'm in the
minority, as I must be one of the few subscribers who almost never open the
Sports section of your paper. It usually goes into our recycling bin
untouched. I say "almost never" because when I am in the market for
tires for my car, I do read the tire ads in that section! So how about
cutting out some of the needless pages of sports dribble, and give us back Al
and the Tech section?
I sincerely hope
that Al will continue to write for his web site, and that we will still be
able to access the site for his back columns and their valuable advice. And
as for your paper, I would cancel and subscribe to a competitor, if that were
possible. But unfortunately it is not, for here in Central New York you have
a monopoly in the newspaper business. So if I am to have a daily newspaper,
it has to be the Post-Standard.
I am sure I am not
alone when I ask you to please reconsider your decision. Please give us back
Al Fasoldt. -- D.A.
One less reason to purchase the paper. What
is the matter with the decision makers? Do they think we all buy the paper
for the same reasons? I am really upset over the loss of your technology
columns. Your being down to earth, your humor, your translation of geek
language into something I can understand and enjoy and learn from have been
my ongoing motivation to buy the paper.
I purchased an iMac running OS X in 2003.
You have provided excellent service to me and your readers. You give a us a
chance to learn and explore and have fun doing it. So many other sources of
info are completely obtuse and unable to be deciphered. Thanks for all your
help and assistance. Let us know where we have to go to get what you are
writing.
We want you back ASAP before we let you go.
-- D. and N. G.
I am very sorry
that the newspaper made such a decision! I would certainly consider a
Web-site subscription service as someone suggested. I'd join. You have been
very helpful to me during my Windows days and now with the Mac mini. (Of
course, I have observed the liberal bent of the newspaper for some time. The
editorial page is totally anti-everything that makes any sense!) But that is
another issue.
Take care! I bet
the paper has to renege. I read ALL of the comments! -- M.E.W.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
In response to
your notification regarding the "Changes to Technology section"
dated January 25, 2006, I would like to express my sincere disappointment
with the decision made to discontinue the regular columns authored by Al
Fasoldt.
While growing up,
I delivered newspapers in my Auburn neighborhood for the Syracuse newspapers.
Often, I would glance through the newspaper and read various articles that
would appeal to a 12-year-old boy. This is what introduced me to Al Fasoldt's
regular columns in the newspaper. And they would always be easy to find, in
their regular Technology section.
I've since moved
from Auburn to attend college in Geneva, NY, followed by a move to Boston and
finally Manhattan for my career after college. The entire time, my family
would purchase the newspapers and send the Technology section to me every
week. It was something to look forward to reading while relaxing or commuting
on a train.
Unfortunately, I
have had to let my parents know to no longer purchase the newspaper, since it
now lacked the content that drove me to read it for 18+ years.
I must admit
however, that I found your wording somewhat confusing. "In the end, it
no longer made sense to segregate technology news in a separate section. It's
everywhere in our world, and that's reflected in the newspaper. So we are
planning to stop publication of the section. The last section will publish on
Feb. 1."
Certainly, you are
correct in stating that technology is everywhere in our world. The confusing
part is that if it is everywhere, then why is it something that is going to
have its publication stopped? Something that is everywhere should have MORE
content published about it.
Respectfully, I
ask you to reconsider your decision. If this was a group decision where
others were involved, I would happily encourage other decision makers by
writing to them as well. -- D.B.
To heck with the
newspaper. Just wanted to let you know that I would be happy to be one of the
first to send a small donation, as some Web sites request, in return for your
continued comments and suggestions. Your comments have saved me all kinds of
problems, led me to new sites, etc. -- W. C.
I think it's a huge mistake to ditch the
Technology section. Instead of contracting the Technology section, why
not expand it? Move technology related items from Business to a redesigned Tech section.
Perhaps something like the Weekend format. It would be easier to save than
the present size.
Surely there's enough material out
there. The internet and its various sites devoted to technology bear witness
to that. I regularly read the online tech sections and columns in The
Washington Post. That's in
addition to Al Fasoldt's columns, which have often proved to be invaluable
and which I have quoted frequently (with his permission) on my Web page and
tech blog. I hope you reconsider. -- S.B.
I was really
disappointed to see that The Post-Standard is discontinuing the Technology section on
Wednesdays. That was pretty much the highlight of my week as far as the
newspaper goes. :)
Personally, I
would rather have all the information in one section then looking through the
entire paper for the articles I want.
I understand that
your article will remain on Sunday but I didn't see that the Wednesday
articles would be continued. If they're not, I'm really, really
disappointed!!! Everyone learned so much from them. I'm sure I'm not the only
disgruntled subscriber out there. -- Georganne
I can't believe that the newspaper is doing
this. Your articles are one of the few I look forward to. They are so
informational, I cant thank you enough. You help me out a great deal and were
so fast in responding to e-mails; that is one of your great trademarks. I
hope the newspaper has second thoughts. -- R.T.
Opportunity knocks! We could both retire as
wealthy guys with cute wives ... (the ones we've already got.) -- M.R.S.
I am attaching an
e-mail that I sent to the P-S about the loss of the Technology section. I
was, coincidentally enough, to e-mail you with a query about Formats, Codecs,
and space requirements, since I knew from previous experience that I would
get an answer more reliably than from anywhere I knew of.
I was upset enough
about the Times dissolving their Circuits section, but that seems to have
been reconstituted. Now we have the P-S doing the same thing. Since Syracuse
does not share a water supply with NYC, perhaps it is something in the air.
As I note that
several other readers have said also, I hope that you will find some other
outlet, though I have not really entered the blogosphere. I have been on Macs
since the days of the 510 through to Tiger, and really appreciate your column
as a breath of fresh air in the Wintel world. Your suggestions about soft-
and hardware have been very helpful, such as in your column today about
digitizing.
Incidentally,
there are two 'ls' in 'cancelation'; so says my Dictionary widget as well. --
J.G.
(Newspaper style uses only one
"L" in "canceled," "cancelation" and
"canceling." -- Al Fasoldt)
The letter J.G. sent to the
newspaper:
I do not live in Syracuse, but
read The Post-Standard
daily (7 days), and have a regular order for it at our local store.
One reason for this is the Wednesday
Technology section, and it does not seem a coincidence that it is the day
that regularly sells out. I have greatly enjoyed and profited from Al
Fasoldt's column, as well as Dr. Gizmo, especially since the former on
Wednesday is one of the few that deals with Macs. I do not get as much from
the New York Times, except for the occasional David Pogue column, and I note
that they seem to have resuscitated their Circuits section after doing
something of the kind that you are doing.
Despite your assurances that The P-S will
still deal with technology, it is a very different thing to have it scattered
about, and even worse if Al Fasoldt's column on the Road Less Traveled is
missing. It also seems like an odd decision to decentralize technology in
this day and age. What we need is more, not less.
Incidentally, I do not know Al
Fasoldt personally, but I have corresponded with him by e-mail with a
problem, and he answered immediately. We do not see this very often in this
age of "press 1,2, 3 ... and wait." The paper will now be less attractive,
since the only things left that recommend it to me are the comics (some of
which do not appear in our local paper) and the Stars magazine that includes
the Fasoldt remnant. I shall thus have to reconsider my daily reserved
purchase.
I have been holding back from stronger
wording having to do with judgment and mental acuity, (a) out of politeness
and (b) from a sense that it would not accomplish anything, but perhaps you
can fill in the blanks yourself. Please undo this terrible and I believe ultimately
costly decision.
We corresponded
some last year during your recovery from your operation about a year ago. So
greetings from the UK and I just wanted to say how sorry I was to read about
the cancelation of your newspaper columns.
I switched to Apple/Mac
over 2 years ago and have been following your articles over the last year or
so. I'm interested in digital photography too -- so I'm grateful for articles
on that subject too.
So thanks for all
your efforts and I hope you find a new home for your writings in the near
future. -- D.T.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
I am very upset to read about the
cancelation of Al Fasoldt's column(s) in The Post-Standard. I live and work in Utica and began
purchasing The Post-Standard
on Wednesdays just to read the Technology section and Mr. Fasoldt's column(s)
in particular. In doing so, I 've discovered what an excellent paper The
Post-Standard is and I now
purchase it on a daily basis.
I firmly believe
that eliminating the Technology section does your readers a serious
disservice. I cannot begin to tell you of the benefits that I have received
from reading the valuable information that Mr. Fasoldt writes about. On more
than a few occasions I have emailed Al with problems that I was experiencing
with my PC. He graciously responded each time with the fix I needed or he
pointed me in the correct direction to get the information I was looking for.
This sort of reader interaction and response is rare nowadays.
Please reconsider
your decision and keep the Technology section and Al Fasoldt 's column(s) in The
Post-Standard. He is a
tremendous asset to your readers and a feather in the cap of The
Post-Standard! -- C.W.
I am so sad that
your columns will no longer be in The Post-Standard newspaper or on Syracuse.com. I am a
faithful reader! In fact I have learned a lot from reading your articles.
Being an IT student, keeping up with technology is not only important for me,
but it's my passion as well.
Please know that I will continue to
visit your Technofile Web site. Good luck in your future endeavors. -- M.M.
Have you ever considered an alternative to
getting technology news out to all of sense your columns in the Technology
section are going to be dropped? I think it would be pretty cool if you got
into pod-casting.
I don't know if you still communicate
with Chuck Swanson or Nancy Roberts from Point 'n' Click. But It would be
nice to get you guys back together and do weekly technology podcast and then
upload them to your website or iTunes. Even doing weekly technology podcasts
by yourself would be nice. Just a suggestion to think about. -- E.H.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
Regardless of the
decision to adjust your approach to Technology coverage, the Fasoldt columns
have been an "institution" and special to all of CNY'ers. I hope
you will reconsider the value of the Fasoldt columns to not only your
readership, but to the history and future of the P-S. -- L.E.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
I can understand
the reasoning behind eliminating the Wednesday Technology section, but I'm
very disappointed about the cancelation of the "Dr. Gizmo" and
"Road Less Traveled" columns. I think they should be continued in
Stars magazine with Al Fasoldt's Technofile column.
"Dr. Gizmo" is one of the
first things I read each Wednesday. Over the years it has been both
informative and entertaining. The humor of Al's "altered ego" makes
even subjects that usually don't interest me fun to read. Other technology
question-and-answer columns are usually dull and boring. The one you used as
a substitute when the "Doctor" was out for surgery is a good
example. Doc Gizmo's columns are different. They're good even when I disagree
with the answers.
Although I'm not a Mac user, I still
read Al's "Road Less Traveled" column each week. It's good to know
about alternative systems so I can make an informed decision the next time I
choose to purchase a computer. It's small-minded to ignore information about
such things. If I own a GM car, should I ignore articles about Ford or
Toyota? Here, too, Al's entertaining style makes even a subject I usually
have trouble relating to a fun read each week.
For the past several years
Wednesday's paper has been something to look forward to, something special. Now,
it's just another day. So be it. But the best part of Wednesday doesn't have
to just disappear. Let me propose a compromise: Move both "Dr.
Gizmo" and "Road Less Traveled" to Stars, but alternate them.
"Dr. Gizmo" originally alternated in Stars with another column. It
worked before. It can work again. Please think about it. -- T.J.A.
Having read your column for over a year, I
must say that the content of your columns in Wednesday's Syracuse
Post-Standard is what led to me switching to an Apple iMac in December! I am
shocked to read that the newspaper has suddenly canceled your weekly wealth
of information! As a result, I e-mailed a letter telling them that I would no
longer purchase their newspaper!
Thanks for all the hours of hard work
sharing your information, Al! -- D.L.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
Before you started Technology, I
looked forward to each Sunday's Stars Magazine to read Al Fasoldt's two
columns (one by his alter ego, Dr. Gizmo) as well as Gene Wolf's Macintosh
computer column. Gene moved to Florida and Al started his Macintosh column,
with two of his three appearing in Wednesday's Technology section.
I know that I am not the only one who
has learned a substantial amount about computers and other things
technological from Al and his writings. -- M.S.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
Humongous error in
judgment!!!!! Apparently, your bean counter's and publisher's decision to can
Fasoldt's column has been made based on a loss of mind(s) accident and a lack
of complete information?
Starting February 1, 2006, "The
Syracuse Post-Standard" now joins the "Oswego Palladium Times"
as verboten forms of print journalism that are not permitted to grace our
family residences. Previously, well turned pages of the dailies and Sunday
editions used to our meet stringent requirements for use in my
sister-in-law's kitty litter boxes.
As a result of your mindless and
thoughtless decision, The Post-Standard no longer meets the minimum acceptable standards for kitty
litter in our residences. Perhaps a lower form of recycled life for your
newsprint will be enjoyed by the infinitesimal population of fish mongers in
CNY; unless you continue to lose more readers. -- S.H.
I sent in an e-mail complaining about the
elimination of the Technology page today. That just seems like they are
taking a step backwards in being relevant. -- T.G.
You have a gift for making people happy!!!
When one door closes, there is another one opening. Look for the door knob,
Al. -- Shirley
(Letter sent to me and the
newspaper:)
I heard through the grapevine, and
hope it's an incorrect rumor, that you're going to discontinue your
Technology section, and all the columns found in it. I have enjoyed
Technology for the year or two that you have been publishing it. -- M.S.
Whom do I contact
at the P-S to air my displeasure? With the current rise in the use of Macs
and the continuing problems experienced by Windows-based PC's, can't the
newspaper see the value of retaining your columns? I can show them any number
of other columns that should get the axe before yours. I want to tell them
that they are making a HUGE mistake by taking your knowledge and expertise
out of the paper. The service you provide us neophyte Mac users is
invaluable. It is one of the main reasons I read the paper! If they don't
reinstate you, Al, please investigate syndication or some other route to keep
your information flowing. Just because The Post-Standard doesn't see the value, that doesn't mean
there aren't plenty of other venues out there that wouldn't jump at what you
have to offer. -- K.B.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
Every Wednesday morning I trudge up
our steep driveway through snow, sleet, rain or whatever the weather may
bring us to get the Technology section of The Post-Standard.
What a shock this
morning to find this is going to be discontinued. It is always the first
section of the Wednesday paper that I read and I start with the Dr. Gizmo and
Road less traveled articles. I am a 100% Macintosh computer fan. Al spends
more time with Windows on Sunday in the Stars section and I don't really want
to have to read about them.
We Macintosh users
are a minority group and are looked down upon by Windows users. It has been
nice to have someone stand up for us so strongly in print.
Please rethink
this decision. -- D.C.
Just add my name to the list of people sad
to see you go. I have read your columns regularly since we moved here 18
months ago and enjoyed every one of them, well, the Windows related ones at
least! I have sent your site to my daughter and son-in-law in Ohio who
recently acquired an older Mac. I'm sure they will find your suggestions
helpful. I hope your site stays up and running. It would also be nice for
another newspaper to pick it up, maybe the Eagle or out of town paper would
see the value of your columns. Good Luck . -- D.R.
Hopefully, some
other venue will pick up on your expertise...we'll be looking for you
somewhere. -- R.C.
I'm sorry about
the bad news! I've been following you columns for years! It'll be really
weird to not have them around anymore. I enjoyed them so much. To whom may I
write to have this decision changed? -- D.V. H.
How best can I complain about the plan to
drop the Technology section of the paper? It's the one section I read all the
way through. I scan the rest of the paper. I also look to it as a real
service to computer geeks that want to keep up with the technology.
I can save the whole section to investigate
new URLs. What if they kept the section and added a page of ads? -- R.C.
This is one reader that looks forward
to the Wednesday Tech Section and especially your column. My vote is to
expand Wednesday, not eliminate it. -- E.S.
I'm disappointed
to read The Post-Standard's
decision to stop publishing the Technology section on Wednesday.
Does this mean that the Road Less
Traveled and Dr. Gizmo are history?
I know that you do not want to add to
your work week. But has the P-S considered giving you a podcast like Bud
Poliquin's BudCast Fridays?
Whatever. Will
look forward to you sharing your wisdom in the Stars section on Sunday. --
D.C.
I was shocked to hear that The
Post-Standard has canceled
Dr. Gizmo and The Road Less Traveled. I need all the computer help I can get
and always looked forward to reading and applying the information given. I'm
happy to know that I can go to your website for help and will be using it
often. -- E.H.
I'd heard in
advance of the impending demise of the Technology section, so the actual
notice came as no surprise. The rosy explanations of the change of direction
seem contrived to say the least. I had in mind suggesting that the Sports
section be improved by removing it in place of:
1. Spreading sport
more widely, e.g. front page when SU wins, high school results in local
Neighbors editions, fishing and hunting in Stars, etc.
2. Bud Poliquin to
have a regular column in Stars
3. Note that
Sports section doesn't bring in significant ad revenue.
But I realize that
management doesn't like being told to maintain or change course. -- J.O.
I am very disappointed to read that your
column will be discontinued in The Post-Standard. I have followed your advice for many
years and recently purchased a Mac iBook so I can wean myself from Windows.
Your columns have been invaluable in helping me learn a wonderful new
operating system. -- P.R.
I just read your
blog. It's too bad that the newspaper made the decision they did. Your
articles are always enjoyable to read. I've learned quite a bit from you. I
also miss your TV show that you did with Gene Wolf. Hopefully you will still
write in Stars and your blog. Have you given any thought to a podcast? --
C.J.
I just want to
tell you today how sorry I am that your columns will no longer be made
available to those of us who have gained so much from your insight and
experience. Not only have I learned a lot from you, I also feel I know you a
bit as a person through your compositions about your travels and your family.
-- S.H.
I am saddened by
the cancelation of your columns in The Post-Standard. I think I read all of them from the
beginning when I lived in the Syracuse area until 2000 when I moved to
Buffalo. I still read your online articles. You were probably a factor for me
to switch to a Mac. -- J.L.M.
Sorry to read about the Syracuse
Post-Standard's cancelation. I will be visiting your site at www.technofileonline.com on a regular basis as I value your insights. -- H.C.
How sorry I am to learn that you'll
be missing from the P-S and Syracuse.com, and I offer my sympathies on the
passing of your father (loss sure doesn't decrease as we get older). Your
columns and advice have meant so much to me, and I'm sure I'll consult your
Web site regularly because, all things considered, I'm still no computer
genius (but, thank heavens, not a geek, either. -- R.B.
I just saw your
note about the cancelations. I can't tell you how bad that makes me feel for
you and everyone who benefited from your work. Really sad.
I understand the
print media are going through a bad time and are trying to cut costs. We sell
books and some classes of them are dying, not just because of Amazon's
competition, but also because fewer people read anymore.
They may scan and
they may be looking for entertainment, but something serious seems to be in
trouble. The internet has exploded but that medium has its limitations too.
Anyway, I hope you
can continue in the areas you still excel in and we all look forward to
continuing education, help and enjoyment from you.
You have been a
great help and friend to my wife and me. Thanks again. -- B.R.
I
just read your blog and I think what the P-S is doing stinks. I don't see
where the readers are benefiting from dropping the Technology section. What I
see is that the newspaper is saving on paper and ink. I don't object to
change, but when it makes no sense I do object. I will probably write a
letter to the Editor. I don't expect it will make a difference, but I need to
voice my opinion. -- J.U.
I'm sorry to read
about the cancelation of your columns but very pleased to know that I can
continue to read what is probably the best comprehensive and even handed
advice for computer users of both persuasions. When asked, you have given me
some timely advice and the bookmark for your Web page stays right where it
is. Keep up the good work. -- P.A.
They really have
lost their minds. I assumed it was rumor. I have no budget, but if you need
an outlet for your tech column, I'd be glad to run it. I'm sure you'd find an
audience here. If this idea has no appeal, let me say this, I'll sure miss
your column and observations. -- The editor of a newspaper in another town.
I'm very sorry to
hear of the cancelation your columns. I read them every week in Stars, and,
while I moving around the country for many years, asked my mom to save them
for me. Lately, of course, I've just been reading them off your Web site. I
hope that you will consider continuing to write at least the occasional
article there, even if as a subscription service.
When the Baltimore Sun canceled its
technology page, public clamor brought back the computer/electronics column;
I hope a similar noise arises on your behalf. - D.B.
Let me say that I
am really disappointed with this turn of events as I always check the site
and the web page and the blog. I hope you aren't going to be to put out with
this. I have learned a lot of info from this as you know and gained a friend
even though we haven't met personally. -- M.T.
Sorry to hear about The Post-Standard dropping your two columns in the Wednesday
paper. I will miss them. -- P.M.
Good luck on
anything you do and wish you the very best. -- R.S.
Dearest Dr. Gizmo,
I can't believe we won't be reading your
wise words and special humor in the newspaper anymore. For quite a few years
now, your column has been the main reason I opened the paper. I guess that if
the Monday Monster gets discontinued, I'll stop looking at it altogether.
Do you have any plans to publish anywhere
else? Maybe your own web page? Please assure all of us that your Mac wisdom
and general techno-knowledge won't be accessible anymore.
Sincerely, one of your multitude of
faithful groupies, R.L.
(Letter sent to me
and to the newspaper:)
I am very
disappointed that the once a week Technology section is being eliminated from
The Post-Standard. That
is the one section that I look forward to in the Wednesday paper.
The Editors claim
that they want to do better to serve the readers. In my view, doing away with
the Technology section is doing just the opposite.
The statement was
made that technology is everywhere in the world and that's reflected in the
newspaper. Of course it is and I get my technology news from a variety of
sources. However, it has been convenient to find so much in one spot. The
fact that you are doing away with the Dr. Gizmo column will make a lot of
readers very unhappy. Over the years, Dr. Gizmo has answered many questions
and provided a wealth of information to computer users, both experienced and
inexperienced.
I hope that the
use of time, staff and newsprint will meet your expectations. I can think of
a much better way to accomplish those things and that is to stop printing
stories that reflect poor taste. The one that comes to mind appeared a couple
of years ago. It was a story and picture of a pregnant high school girl
showing her big, bare belly. Many times I have considered dropping my
subscription to The Post-Standard
and I may very well do just that. I can get all the news online and from
radio and TV. -- J.U.
Sorry to see your column canceled. I
enjoyed it a lot when I used to live in Syracuse. (I live in Atlanta now). --
S.R.
I am very sorry to
hear of the abrupt cancelation of your columns and the Technology section
itself. I looked forward to Wednesdays for that alone!
I visit your site
from time to time and have solved many problems using the information there
especially in my early computering days! I happened to add a PowerBook at
about the same time you acquired your first dual-processor machine and have
enjoyed the Mac information as much as or more than the earlier "Window
pains."
I have to say (as
cynical as it sounds) this cancelation coming a hair before the announcement
of the $25 million donation by Bill Gates to Cornell makes me very suspicious
of the real motive behind the sudden lack of need for a Technology section.
At any rate,
better Sunday than nothing at all! I hope you keep a nice list of fans to
inform should you appear in another paper or other format. Good luck and thanks
for everything! -- M.L.F.
Although I've
always read your columns online I am still sorry to hear you have been
canceled by your paper. However, I hope you're not going to let that stop you
from sharing your knowledge and wisdom with those of us who will always need
expert help. Please continue dishing out your columns in the new media. --
R.P.
Just finished reading about the cancelation
of your column and Dr, Gizmos.
I was very disappointed to see that as I
always looked forward to the Technology section and your articles. I'm really
disappointed that The Post-Standard made that decision. In any event I will keep an eye on your
Technofile articles and any incidental columns that may appear.
And as I have always considered you as my
final (but primary) source of information and solutions, I will continue to
keep in touch with you anyway.
Thanks again for all of your help and
believe me, I'll be in touch! -- M.S.
Thank
you for your sense of humor, your sense of family, and your concern for your
readers. -- J.H.
The world revolves
around information and without information the world would come to a halt as
we know it. I guess that whoever controls information has the power to shift
things around to their likings. I always made it a point to read your
articles and when I saw that The Post-Standard dropped your two articles, I felt that I
should reconsider my practice of buying the morning paper.
I can read the
comics online, the weather online, the news from many sources, along with
reading your articles online. So why do I need the paper? It costs me $$ to
buy and $$ to dispose. I guess they did me a favor. I thank them for it. --
D.C.W.
Why don't you
consider starting a subscription Web site maybe two with Windows and Mac
info. I really believe it would work. You have a lot of fans out there. --
J.B.
Just wanted to say
I'm sorry about the demise of your column in The Post-Standard. You've shared some great tips for Mac
users, and let the Windows world know there is an alternative. Keep the
faith! -- S.R.
I was sorry to read about the
cancelation of the Technology section. Your columns were the two main reasons
I looked forward to Wednesday's paper. It's amazing how many things start
with a bang and end with a whimper. -- R.H.
(Letter sent to me and the
newspaper:)
I am very disappointed in the cancelation of the Technology
section and the Technofile column particularly. -- J.A., MD
I've seen some foolish things done in
the past but this one takes the cake.
In the midst of a
highly charged technological society, the general public needs to have as
much information as possible to make educated decisions. Your articles
provided such information at a level that everyone could understand.
I have referred
all my clients to reading your articles for a no nonsense source of what is
going on the technologies. Especially since Apple is slowly taking over the
market and people are finding out that the Apple products "are becoming
the gold standard of PCs." With Microsoft coming out with yet another
source of "security breeches" otherwise known as Vista, the general
public will without a doubt need a source of information to get through it
all.
You are aware that
there many people that read those articles. The same people that are paying
subscribers. The same people that pay the bills for the paper. I have to
wonder if the people that made this decision to cancel the articles are
technologically challenged or just challenged in some other way.
This is a very
great information loss to Central New York and the surrounding community. --
K.S.
I had a
subscription to the P-S. I let it lapse recently but I ALWAYS buy it on
Wednesday for the tech section! Guess what, I like so many others will now
get all my news and info from the Web. I really enjoyed all your columns. I'm
a PC guy but may be changing my ways next time around. I was really sorry to
hear your news, I'll check out your Web site and thanks for all your help. --
P.W.
Just wanted to say thank you for your
years of technical advice and opinions that I always enjoyed to read.
I grew up in Auburn, and the only part of
the Sunday paper I would read was the Stars section. I've since moved to New
Jersey, and suggested my parents buy me The Post-Standard when I come home just so I can read your
columns. Unfortunately, I will have to tell them to stop purchasing this
paper, due to the newspaper's own decisions about technology. (I find it
ironic that a NEWSpaper does not think technology is "news." At
least this is the only reason I could think of for such a dumb decision on
their part.)
I read your web articles to keep me up to
date, and it appears that this will be my only choice from this point
forward. May I a podcast or maybe RSS feeds to your articles that you
publish? -- D.B.
I'm very disappointed with The
Post-Standard's decision
to stop publishing the Technology section, and especially the cancelation of
the Road Less Traveled articles. I live in Oneida and subscribe to the local
Oneida Dispatch, but would always make a point of purchasing the Wednesday
and Sunday papers due to your articles. I am a Mac user, and share your
interests in Mac computers and photography.
Please be sure to
keep your Web site up and running so that everyone can view previous
articles.
I strongly disagree
with the newspapers reasoning for canceling the Technology section. I
disagree with the idea of canceling Al's articles, and spreading the rest of
the technology news throughout the week. In today's world of ever changing
technology, the readers are best served with a dedicated Technology section.
-- M.S.
Many thanks for the tips. I wish you
the best in your endeavors. I'll send a "bitch email" to the
editors. I found your columns educational and light enough to enjoy. -- J.D.
I
noticed in today's Feedback that they're still trying to make it sound like
your columns are just moving to Stars. Do they really think people won't
notice when they don't? -- T.A.
(Letter sent to me and the
newspaper:)
This e-mail is in
response to your termination of the Technology page and Al Fasoldt's columns
in The Post-Standard. I
would like you to reconsider this cancelation. I and many others look forward
to the knowledge and wit that has provided so many years of great reading in
your newspaper. I open every Wednesday newspaper directly to the Technology
section and read Al Fasoldt's columns before the rest of the newspaper.
The growing number
of switchers from Microsoft Windows to Apple Mac OS X is an indication that
the Mac column is needed even more. I just switched to a Mac OS X in October
2005, mostly because of the expert information provided in your newspaper.
Please reconsider your termination of Al Fasoldt's columns. -- K.P.
When I lived in Syracuse (until
1993), I was an avid reader of your columns in the Syracuse newspapers since
they began back in the 1980's. Since I moved to Boston (for work reasons),
I've faithfully followed your columns on the web.
I started out as a
novice PC user, and am now a professional programmer with over 20 years
experience. I learned a LOT of things about computers from your articles, and
my knowledge would be much less without them.
I am amazed at the
decision to drop the columns. I try not to waste my time trying to figure out
stupid decisions like this one.
I'm sure you realize how important
you've been to the computing community over the years. Will you still be
putting columns on the Web site? Please, no matter what, don't stop
dispensing your invaluable advice, and let me know where I can find it,
whether on a Web site, or in a more "enlightened" newspaper.
Also, please
accept my condolences over the loss of your father. Thanks for passing on all
the knowledge over the years. Your fans will follow you anywhere! -- P.V.
Cancelation of the "Dr.
Gizmo" and "Road Less Traveled" columns? Nice move, can't wait
to see your next "great idea" to tick off large numbers of readers.
Didn't anyone think to poll the readers' opinions? I'm finished with you.
Your paper will decline, and I for one will not miss it. -- D.A.
(Letter sent to me and the
newspaper:)
Your response to my complaint
concerning the death of the Technology section left out two important issues.
Why are you dropping Al Fasoldt's "Road Less Traveled" and Dr.
Gizmo? They were the first two articles I read in the paper every Wednesday.
Al is always informative about the newest trends in the Mac side of
computing. Dr. Gizmo responds to tech questions with knowledge and wit. You
are letting these two Syracuse traditions go to save a few bucks? Shame on
you! -- T.G.
(Letter sent to
me and the newspaper:)
IÕve been reading Al FasoldtÕs columns
online for almost 2 years now. I often direct my family members, friends,
colleagues and those seeking help about computers and consumer technology to
Al FasoldtÕs online columns. The Post-Standard is losing a great number of readers that
can be reached outside of the Syracuse area by canceling Al FasoldtÕs online
columns. Consider the lost readership youÕve created by canceling Al
FasoldtÕs columns. -- J.Z.
I am sad to hear
of the newspaper's decision. I hope you can still write your articles on your
web site. -- J.M.
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