Digital BW, The Print

No, they don't.

You have to understand how most magazines work. Firstly many of the
magazines have editors and writers who are not primarily imagemakers, or if
they are, are at a level most on this list would consider beginning amateur.
Furthermore, most accept articles from anyone and my not be in a position,
knowledge wise, to check the accuracy of the submitted articles,
particularly if they are a bit off centre.

Equipment and software reviews are an even bigger problem. Sometime the
editor or staff writers do the reviews (with the above comments still
holding). In this case they often just run the product, make sure it works,
read the reviewer's guide the manufacturer provides or checks the what's new
for this product info on the manufacturer's web site and write a review.
Also with just released product they may only have it in their offices for a
week on loan, and that may mean with other things going on that they only
play with it for a day. Generally the standard of reviews is poor. Many do
little more than quote the manufacturer's PR material or the list of
features. Reviews by non-staffers can vary massively in quality. I have even
seen reviews where I have known, from the timing, etc, that they have, at
most, handled the product at a trade show. There is also the issue that most
magazines survive off their advertising. Some, but only some, seem to go to
extraordinary lengths to avoid upsetting advertisers. Some also have the
reputation for only reviewing product from those who advertise.

There are good magazines out there, the trouble is finding them.

BTW non of the above should be specifically taken as an attack on MacWorld.
They often do excellent reviews. However I would guess that printer review
was done by someone not used to critically examining photographic prints.

Cheers,

Wayne
-- 
Wayne J. Cosshall
Director of Digital ImageMakers International and Editor of their magazine
www.dimagemaker.com
Director, International Digital Art Awards www.internationaldigitalart.com
Personal art website www.artinyourface.com
wayne@...