Midnight Engineering (TM) magazine
Uwe Brockmann
magazine "Midnight Engineering" on this newsgroup.
To purchase a sample copy I called Bill Gates of Midnight Engineering
four times on 10/11/93, 11/17/93, 1/5/94, and 3/4/94. Three times I
reached only an answering machine. Each time I left my address
and phone number. On my second call Mr. Gates promised to send me a free
sample copy.
However, I never received a sample copy or a return call.
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Midnight Engineering to
anyone. In recent years I have lost money five times when magazines
that I subscribed to folded without sending me refunds for missing
issues. I suspect that the same would happen if I sent a check to
Midnight Engineering.
Does anybody recommend risking $29 on Midnight Engineering sigth unseen
(I couldn't find it in libraries either)?
On 24 Jun 1993, fs...@oz.lerc.nasa.gov (John Schwab) wrote:
> The latest issue of "Midnight Engineering" has a nice article
> about a little company's search for reasonable office/lab space.
On 9 Jul 1993, tan...@source.asset.com (David Tannen) wrote:
> Actually for ~$50 you can buy a software program which will generate
> non-disclosure agreements, plus alot more. I use one (I don't have it
> in front of me so I can not post the name) that I have used for non-disclosure
> agreements and work-for-hire contracts. It is easy to use and seems to
> work. So far no one I have dealt with has had a problem signing them. Most
> of the people I deal with have been _very_ honest and moral.
>
> But if someone wants to screw you up, there is very little you can do if
> they have more money and are willing to spend it to screw you up. Great
> article in the latest issue of Midnight Engineering which talks all about
> this.
On 24 Aug 93, cl...@allen.com (Cliff Allen) wrote:
> In recent issues of Midnight Engineering magazine they have covered "on
> demand printing." If you get into quantities of 1,000+ there are some
> printers who can print and bind your book for a few dollars each -- with
> a full-color cover.
On 4 Oct 1993, tan...@source.asset.com (David Tannen) wrote:
> The following books have all come in very handy and are worth
> the money IMO:
(recommended books deleted)
> *Midnight Engineering (tm)* This magazine describes
> itself as "Resources and Insight for the
> Entrepreneurial Engineer*. This is one of the best
> magazines I get. It is expensive ($29 for 6issues/
> year), but it is worth every dollar.
On Thu 7 Oct 1993, tan...@source.asset.com (David Tannen):
> I recently posted a list of computer consulting books I have found useful. As part of that
> list I included a magazine, *Midnight Engineering*. A few folks have asked for the
> address.
> Midnight Engineering (tm)
> 1700 Washington Avenue
> Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067
> 719-254-4558
> Editor/Publisher: William Gates
> ^^^^^^^^^^^ (no not the Microsoft guy)
cc: Midnight Engineering
John Schwab
David Tannen
Cliff Allen
(Mr.) Uwe Brockmann, +1 404 892 4872, u...@cc.gatech.edu
Uwe Brockmann
> Last year John Schwab, David Tannen, and Cliff Allen recommended the
> magazine "Midnight Engineering" on this newsgroup.
>
> To purchase a sample copy I called Bill Gates of Midnight Engineering
> four times on 10/11/93, 11/17/93, 1/5/94, and 3/4/94. Three times I
> reached only an answering machine. Each time I left my address
> and phone number. On my second call Mr. Gates promised to send me a free
> sample copy.
>
> However, I never received a sample copy or a return call.
>
> Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Midnight Engineering to
> anyone. In recent years I have lost money five times when magazines
> that I subscribed to folded without sending me refunds for missing
> issues. I suspect that the same would happen if I sent a check to
> Midnight Engineering.
>
> Does anybody recommend risking $29 on Midnight Engineering sigth unseen
> (I couldn't find it in libraries either)?
I received three replies by email from people who subscribe to Midnight
Engineering. All three recommended the magazine. Two explained my
difficulty in getting a hold of William Gates with him doing all of
the work involved in publishing the magazine by himself. One had also
had trouble getting a hold of him. Two stated that they did not expect
Midnight Engineering to fold.
On Thu 7 Oct 1993, tan...@source.asset.com (David Tannen) posted the
address of Midnight Engineering on this newsgroup:
> Midnight Engineering (tm)
> 1700 Washington Avenue
> Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067
> 719-254-4558
> Editor/Publisher: William Gates
> ^^^^^^^^^^^ (no not the Microsoft guy)
(Mr.) Uwe Brockmann, +1 404 892 4872, u...@cc.gatech.edu
sa...@water.ca.gov
>Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Midnight Engineering to
>anyone. In recent years I have lost money five times when magazines
>that I subscribed to folded without sending me refunds for missing
>issues. I suspect that the same would happen if I sent a check to
>Midnight Engineering.
>
>Does anybody recommend risking $29 on Midnight Engineering sigth unseen
>(I couldn't find it in libraries either)?
I actually bought a few issues at a news stand a couple years ago and then sent
in a check for a subscription. The check was cashed but I have yet to
see an issue from them or even hear from them. I tried calling a few times but
never got through to an actual person ....
Sarb Takhar
Randy Crane
I sent in a check for the proceedings of one of the ME yearly conferences. It
never came. I called and talked to William Gates (owner/operator) and he said
that it was "in the mail". I gave him the benefit of the doubt and waited a
few more months. It never showed although the check had been cashed months
previously. I called several times and left messages with no response. Since
I have carbon copy checks I didn't have the canceled check. I paid
my credit union a couple of bucks to send a copy of the check. I sent it to ME
requesting my copy of the proceedings with no response. I've since written it
off as a bad investment and will not waste any more time on it. I'm debating
whether to renew my subscription.
I wonder if part of the problem is that it is currently a one man
operation and perhaps is should be a two or three man operation.
Randy
all...@mercury.interpath.net
>To purchase a sample copy I called Bill Gates of Midnight Engineering
>four times on 10/11/93, 11/17/93, 1/5/94, and 3/4/94. Three times I
>reached only an answering machine. Each time I left my address
>and phone number. On my second call Mr. Gates promised to send me a free
>sample copy.
>
>However, I never received a sample copy or a return call.
Don't you just hate it when billionaires blow you off like that? :)
Avid Roberts David Usa 43
Jerome T Holland
Avid Roberts David Usa 43 <tra...@delphi.com> wrote:
>Considering noboby has ever seen this publication, how do we know it exists?
I've had a subscription to Midnight Engineering for several years. I think
it's worth every penny.
Jerry Holland
--
Parsifal Software | Parsifal -> AnaGram | 800-879-2577
P.O. Box 219 | AnaGram -> parsers | Voice/Fax 508-358-2564
Wayland, MA 01778 | parsers -> results, fast | jhol...@world.std.com
This space intentionally left blank
>In article <5Y8NKQt...@delphi.com>,
>Avid Roberts David Usa 43 <tra...@delphi.com> wrote:
>>Considering noboby has ever seen this publication, how do we know it exists?
>
>I've had a subscription to Midnight Engineering for several years. I think
>it's worth every penny.
I've also had a subscription for several years and like it a lot. It is
aimed primarily at electronics and computer folks, though there is general
business info in there all the time (how to design a business card, what to
do if your business burns to the ground (dealing with insurance companies,
contractors, limiting losses, etc.), can you get a loan, cash flow problems
in a rapidly growing business, contracts, etc.).
It is bi-monthly and average price. When I've had to call (change of
address) the phone was answered promptly and the info taken in a very
pleasant manner and I never missed an issue.
I have no problems with the magazine at all, and if I ever drop the
subscription it will be because my interests have moved out of its area of
coverage, not because it isn't a good read with a lot of useful info.
Ummm...ok, there's one other reason I might cancel: if Ziff/Davis Publishing
ever buys it! :^(
-- Mike "screwed by ZDP once too often" Bartman --
==============================================================================
| I didn't really say all the things that I said. You probably didn't read |
| what you thought you read. Statistics show that this whole thing is more |
| than likely just a hideous misunderstanding. |
==============================================================================
==============================================================================
Teamwork is essential, it gives them someone else to shoot at.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence A. MacDonald
say about patents...and their lack of value...and is worth listening to.
He has also written a book and hosts a number of conf on, I think
Delphi.
This
space intentionally left blank (mi...@vishnu.eco.twg.com) wrote:
--
Larry MacDonald cham...@WELL.sf.ca.us
2340 Filbert Street #8 voice/fax 415 563-7397
San Francisco, CA 94123 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. pacific only, pls.