1985 COMPUTER PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARDS:
"NETWEAVER" Recognition

by Mike Greenly


((As some of you know, I'm presently covering the "Spring Comdex" show
exclusively for NSI--for worldwide distribution via Telex and computer
conferencing.

However NETWEAVER belongs to *all* of us on every system, and
NSI--graciously and instantly--gave permission for this account of
NETWEAVER's award to be ported ANYWHERE.)

*****

"What do you think?" a (mostly print) journalist once asked me testily.
"Do you think you have different standards because you write online?" He
asked it with a sneer, but the more I thought about it, the more I
thought: yes, actually. It *can* be different, what works best online, and
I for one am still exploring and learning.

The fact is, nonetheless, that the Computer Press Association (CPA) Awards
this year recognize both print AND online writing. Over 500 entries had
been received from writers of newspaper and magazine articles and reviews,
software documentation, and books--and printouts of online material.
Citizen America Corporation is a co-sponsor with CPA for "clear,
understandable writing" in all areas of the computer field.

This morning, at a breakfast meeting in the Omni, only yards away from the
Comdex booths themselves, about a hundred people sat at tables before the
dais. (Breakfast was strangely devoid of grits, but perhaps electrons know
no regions.)

The first award of the morning was presented for "Best Online Tutorial" to
Nancy Beckman of The Source--whom I finally met after three years of
correspondence. It was perhaps unkind of her to announce to our table that
she would have recognized *me* from the 50 photographs and the life-size
poster I sent to nudge her into promoting CHRONICLE. But I forgave her for
poking fun at my avidity, and I happily applauded her award. (The poster
was a *joke*, friends.)

When she brought back her Award, I got to study it upclose: a handsome
wooden base, from which a glittering, crystal triangle rises sturdily,
about eight inches high.

Sherwin Levinson accepted an Award certificate on behalf of Brock N. Meeks
as 2nd Runner-Up for Best Review, Column or Editorial Noncomputer
Publication. for his work in the San Diego Reader.

Then, the announcement of online awards. The CPA presenter was especially
glowing about the significance of having these awards at all, noting that
online journalism could "eventually obsolete the term 'press'" which, when
you think about it is a rather literal though nostalgic description of an
old way of producing communication.

So--In the category of BEST ONLINE PUBLICATION, the 3rd runnerup was
"Doc-in-the-Box" which is a "vertical" publication of St. Silicon's
Hospital and Information Dispensary.

The award winner was Wendy Woods, editor of Newsbytes (on The Source),
"the dominant electronic news service around." I know that Wendy and her
"bureau chiefs" work very hard on their publication, and it was good to
see the fine result recognized.

On a purely personal basis, however, I was *particularly* delighted to see
NETWEAVER win an award which, I believe, is a deserved and wonderful
affirmation of what a group of TOTAL VOLUNTEERS can achieve on the medium
they believe in and share.

Sherwin accepted the certificate and thanked NETWEAVER writers and editors
for the privilege it's been for him as a reader on Unison's Participate
conferencing system to watch the electronic magazine develop, and for the
pleasure he's enjoyed because of it. During the warm applause that
followed, I visualized the electronic masthead at the front of each
NETWEAVER issue, and felt extremely proud and happy for the people who
contribute to the special voice of a global network.

Here is the best approximation I can produce from my Model 200 of what the
Certificate looks like:



CONGRATULATIONS, NETWEAVER!!

- Mike Greenly