Atomic IRC meet - Chaos meets Q&A

Vast raging hordes of Atomic community members flooded into the #atomicmpc IRC channel on Austnet last night, to participate in the Atomic IRC meet. The commentary flew past at near light-speed as person after person joined the channel and added to

Vast raging hordes of Atomic community members flooded into the #atomicmpc IRC channel on Austnet last night, to participate in the Atomic IRC meet. The commentary flew past at near light-speed as person after person joined the channel and added to the revelry. The closest our dear English Language can come to describing it, is sheer chaos - and that's a weak definintion of last night's happenings.

The Atomic IRC meet was not just a chat. It was a time when the Atomic community could ask of us any questions they had, level any criticisms, and express their satisfaction and happiness (hopefully!) with the magazine and the community. Thus, we could not let chaos reign supreme for the entire meet - moderation was needed.

Once Aquilae had set +m mode (where only operators and voiced people can send messages to the channel), the dead calm was a welcome relief. 'Peaceful bliss be praised!' staff yelled, as the bleeding from their over-worked eyes began to subside. However, all good things must come to an end.

Aquilae and Zeddicus announced they would be taking questions by private message, which would then be answered by staff in the main channel for all to see. Mere nano-seconds later, a tsunami of questions engulfed them. Thankfully, they were prepared.

The following was stripped from Aq's and Zedd's log files, just a few minutes after their drawn and shrunken forms were rushed to the local 24/7 public house for an emergency infusion of vital amber fluids. Afterwards, Flouncy noticed the words 'New Record - 104 people!!!" scrawled in near 100% pure caffeine, all the way across the wall.

1. snypher: When do Subs prices go up, an exact date?
   Flouncy: From when Atomic 11 goes onsale, from $30 - $49, that's 3rd
   Wed in Nov (Nov21)
   
   
   
2. Wormy: Do you sometimes have to rush things to get the magazine out
   on time?
   GRiMEY: not really, just our time spent showering and sleeping
   
   
   
3. freespace[]: if I resubscribed again before the price went up, can I check if I
   really did resubscribe??
   Flouncy: freespace - email subs if in doubt, they love to chat
   
   
   
4. trev99: When will back issues be available for order online?
   Zeddicus: Basically, when either Dan or I get time to put it up. Its in our
   'todo' lists, but no definate date as of yet
   
   
   
5. TheAce: Are there many jobs around in it journalism, and
   what courses and stuff get you into them?
   GunSlinger: not many jobs at all in IT journalism. I worked for several years
   doing PC stuff (varying) and did freelance for a couple till I
   scored the full time gig
   Martigen: IT Journalism in AU is quite a tight group, but there are always
   jobs coming and going. Study Communication at Uni
   for a journalism degree.
   GunSlinger: Just practice at home, write lots, and send off heaps of sample
   reviews
   Flouncy: Communications is the one for proper journalism, but there's a
   lot of slop around the place :}
   Zeddicus: Computer degree with major english units would also be a good
   thing for computer journalism
   GRiMEY: The key is being able to communicate, and pay out on bennett
   Flouncy: Basically, knowing something with incredible insight, and
   being able to communicate that elegantly, and you have to
   suffer a long time with no money
   
   
   
6. TuxThePenguin: what do the atomic offices look like can we have a tour
   in an upcoming mag?
   GunSlinger: the labs look like a tomahawk has just hit, in an organised sorta
   way
   GRiMEY: well tux, located in sunny redfern the palatial delights of atomic
   hq are not for the eyes of mere mortals
   GunSlinger: we've constantly got lots of different cool hardware coming in
   and out of the office, so it can get a bit hectic
   Flouncy: Tux - the Atomic offices are situated in space, we bought
   Thunderbird 5 in an auction. So, no you cant visit
   
   
   
7. Virtuoso: How are advertisers reacting to the mag ... is support growing?
   Flouncy: virt - ads and sales and our state of happiness is all rocking
   along nicely. Love ads! Yea ads!
   
   
   
8. R0X0R_D1N0X0R: how much do you save by subscribing?
   GunSlinger: erm around 17% from mem, around 89c per issue
   
   
   
9. freespace[]: When can we get these Atomic Case Badges we've heard so
   much about?
   Zeddicus: It's been talked about. Not happening as of this moment, but
   that may change.
   
   
   
10. DJMORGAN: Is Dan Rutter as crazy as he looks?
    Flouncy: Yes
    Zeddicus: :>
    GRiMEY: DJ, well, yes. But in a good way.
    GunSlinger: we keep Dan in his cupboard, so don't know
    Martigen: Dan is the man! For... certain things.
    
    
    
11. SilentSnipeR: Will there ever be an Epox 8k7a+ review?
    GunSlinger: Definitely an Epox board soon, not sure which one
    Flouncy: silent - now that you've asked for it - HELL YES BABY!
    
    
    
12. BizLimpkit: will you still have lots of case modding tutorials?
    Flouncy: biz - until the end of time
    
    
    
13. Otakon: How many Issues are printed+ bought? whats the current
    subscriber status? Does flouncy have any siblings? esp a
    younger little hot sister perhaps?
    Flouncy: otakon - (i'll take this one boys) many tens of thousands, to all
    your questions
    
    
    
14. DeeMan2K: How long between finishing the mag, and subscribers receiving
    them?
    Flouncy: deeman - about a week and a half
    
    
    
15. Gramyre: tell us about the average day in the atomic office
    GunSlinger: gram - there is never an average day at the atomic office
    Zeddicus: it depends, really, on whether the pub will serve us or not
    Flouncy: Grammo - we sit on cusions staring at a slide show of the
    sydney meet, until 5.30, then go home
    Zeddicus: Seriously, everyones job is different so there is no real 'average'
    day
    GRiMEY: The only certainty is the occasional smoko
    GRiMEY: and free booze Zed...
    Flouncy: and Kate
    Zeddicus: oh yea
    GRiMEY: and opening flouncy's mail when he is away :P
    
    
    
    
16. ROFL: will there be another sydney meet?
    Flouncy: ROFL - 100%, but there's no solid plans... yet!
    
    
    
17. Gryphon: What are the perks from workin at the mag?
    GunSlinger: as a reviewer, my main task is to test hardware, then write up a
    review
    Flouncy: Grtphon - getting to do this?
    GunSlinger