As we were putting this issue together, the first responses from our latest survey started trickling in. Surveys help us keep in touch with you, our readers. You tell us what you do, what you buy, and whom you buy from, and we use the results for a variety of purposes. For instance, our sales representatives present the information gleaned from surveys—what kinds of products you buy and what kinds of industries you work in—to our advertisers, so they know their ad campaigns are reaching their target audience.

As managing editor, I’m not terribly interested in the numbers. I skip the multiple-choice answers and head to the comments section. Reading the comments gives me insight into what’s working in the magazine. Overall the message from this year’s survey is clear: stick with what you’re doing.

Michael Coulson wrote, "Circuit Cellar reminds me why I got into this business. The dull, dry environment of work, with its overuse of processes and procedures, can be left behind while raw creativity is allowed to flow, i.e. how can I make this device better, faster, more powerful, more efficient? How can I make this thing really sing?"

Many of you remarked about the usefulness of our project articles, because they include the code and schematics necessary to really learn from them. One respondent noted, "I like the detail the authors include in their articles, they generally don’t just gloss over the difficult or the easy part." A few of you specified that you’ve found the solutions offered by our authors helpful in your own designs. I think that’s what sets Circuit Cellar apart. We don’t just want to entertain you with ideas; we want you to be able to apply the techniques presented.

"CCI’s ‘inside the box still counts’ attitude drew me into believing that microprocessor technology was accessible, adaptable, and usable in everyday life," wrote Allan C. Lane. "The end-to-end approach is a refreshing change from the partial, incomplete, or intentionally ‘crippled’ examples often given by other magazines or vendors."

In particular, many of you mentioned that you enjoy reading about the projects entered in our design contests, both on our web site and in the magazine. Those of you who have entered some of our contests noted that they inspired you to try a new application or a new part that you might not have tried otherwise. Your continued interest and participation in the contests are what help us attract sponsors for future design contests. Manufacturers have realized that, if they want to launch a product, there’s no better audience than the engineers who read Circuit Cellar.

In the survey, a number of you reflected on the years of great articles, noting that you’ve subscribed since the first issue came out. Some of you also mentioned that you were hooked early on by Steve’s column in Byte, and haven’t missed an issue of Circuit Cellar in our 15 years of publication. We appreciate your comments and take pride in your loyalty.

On behalf of the entire Circuit Cellar staff, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey.

jennifer.huber@circuitcellar.com

Published: September 2003