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From: peter@usenix.UUCP (Peter Salus)
Newsgroups: comp.org.usenix
Subject: Unix Review
Message-ID: <92@usenix.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 4-Sep-87 17:34:19 EDT
Article-I.D.: usenix.92
Posted: Fri Sep  4 17:34:19 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 5-Sep-87 21:26:02 EDT
Lines: 39
Keywords: UNIX REVIEW, circulation


 I am posting this on behalf of UNIX REVIEW -- Peter H. Salus
----

I have noted the concern expressed by several potential subscribers to
UNIX REVIEW over the publication's circulation practices. UNIX REVIEW,
like most reputable controlled-circulation business publications,
submits its circulation to the independent Business Publications Audit
of Circulation (BPA) to verify both personal request for subscriptions
as well as qualifications of each subscriber.

The purpose of this audit is obviously to assure advertisers of the
quality and validity of circulation claims. The only way we can
provide the magazine free of charge is through the support of our
advertisers. At shows such as USENIX and UniForum, 80 to 95 percent of
attendees are qualified to receive UNIX REVIEW at no charge.

The audit bureau's rules preclude us from telling a potential
subscriber what qualifies him for a free subscription. To do so would
invalidate the objectivity of information provided to us. Therefore,
there are from each show several requests that cannot be served at no
charge. There are occasions in which the reason for rejection is such
a simple thing as failure of the potential subscriber to sign the
request card.

Let me assure one and all that in future show subscription promotions
as well as direct mail promotions we will more clearly state that
filling out a subscription request form is tantamount to applying for
a subscription and that such applications can be turned down by the
circulation department.

Our goal is to circulate the magazine as widely as is economically
feasible within the UNIX community. We must, though--like all other
reputable business publications--carry out our business by standard,
controlled-circulation, publishing practices.

Incidentally, among the exchange on the net I was pleased to read
several readers' positive comments on the editorial product. We aim to
please.