Up Front

The Gestalt Editorial--Quick-Change Artists

Richard--A funny thing happened as we were preparing for this issue.

Kim--See, our original plan was for an entire issue focusing on the Semiconductor Industry (which, by the way, would have been the first single-topic-specific issue in Designfax history). But then, Terry went to this trade show in March...

Terry Persun Editor-In-Chief

Kimberly Chapple Editor

Richard Mandel Senior Editor

Stephanie Gooch Assistant Editor

Terry--It was the OFC, the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibit held in Anaheim, CA. It was amazing how many exhibitors and attendees were there. The truth is, I had just been at NDES a few weeks earlier and this show was absolutely packed by comparison. And what people were telling me was that because of the slowdown in semiconductor manufacturing, OEM suppliers had been forced to look for new markets for their components. Many of the manufacturers of component level products and subsystems, as well as manufacturers of end-user machines for the FO marketplace, have found that there's a real crossover from the semiconductor to the fiber-optic industry.

Steph--When Terry came back with that, I said, "Well, I just read these articles in Scientific American about fiber-optic data networks, optical switching and extreme ultraviolet lithography..."

Richard--....and we all realized that we could modify the focus of this issue.

Terry--One of the best things about Designfax is our ability to move quickly on industry-related stories. That flexibility allows us to adjust to almost any sit uation--in this case, altering the focus of an entire issue.

Kim--By changing focus, we don't mean that this issue is now going to cover the fiber-optics industry and drop semiconductor altogether, but that we decided to focus on applications, technologies and articles which allow the greatest amount of crossover.

Steph--So we started delving into our sources for products, materials and application stories related to both fiber optics and semi-conductors, hoping to spur parallel ideas...

Richard--...and we're also noting which companies identified in this issue will be at Semicon West in July, the largest annual show serving the semiconductor industry.

Terry-- Let's face it, growing a business based on technology can be difficult enough without having a market do a fast nose-dive. Technology changes enough from day-to-day without the added concern about what industries are purchasing. So, here you have it. If there's ever any question as to which magazine can turn on a dime to meet readers' needs and stay current, this issue should go a long way in abolishing that concern.

Editorial staff--We're hear to listen to you and illustrate ways in which manufacturers make the move from one industry to another with as much ease as possible, and to help you grow your company by providing components and systems into as many industries as possible. editors@designfax.net