Hey! It's a new year, and time to take a look at some of what is new on the I.B.M. Portal, and some of the things planned in coming months. Of course if you have not looked and clicked around THIS page, nor all the links in the left lists of menus, then EVERYTHING -- or at least MUCH -- on the Portal is new to you. So plan on spending a little time here, and you may be surprised what all you'll find. Read on for some ideas:
1. WHAT'S DOWN IS UP. Most of the time we expect important stuff to be first or on top. But here is a case of what's down, is actually up! How's THAT for double talk?
The truth is, Advertising Manager B.J. Hickman came up with a terrific idea, which has become very popular. And YOU are missing out if you don't scroll to the bottom of this page and see what is there. SO DO IT, right now!
SURPRISE! It's a BOX OF BOXES. You have to be a regular advertiser to earn the right to have one of these dynamite power ads!. As I write this, there are SIXTEEN special ads which deserve YOUR clicks. Take a little time and click on EACH BOX and see where it takes you! It's a glorious adventure into the wonderful world of magic ads.
2. NEAT ADS ARE EVERYWHERE! Speaking of ads, they are everywhere, just waiting for your clicks. Do you know that every time you click on one of our valuable advertiser ads, that it not only takes you to neat places, but that it also registers on a report to those advertisers? How many other advertising media can do THAT? This encourages advertisers, of course, to continue investing in the largest magic audience anywhere. And it also underscores how important it is for YOU to click on as many of the ads as possible, as OFTEN as possible. Advertisers are partially responsible for paying for this Web site, so you can thank them by your CLICKS and by buying goods and services from them. And please tell them you saw their ad on the I.B.M. Portal, and in The Linking Ring, and how much you appreciate their support.
3. WATCH FOR PREVIEWS EACH MONTH. Every month we bring to you at least two previews. About mid-month, which is our deadline for the following month, we bring to you the Broken Wand for the following month. This means that two or three weeks before you can see the new issue of The Linking Ring in digital or PDF form (on the first day of the month), or a bit longer for your hard copy to arrive, you can see who of your friends and acquaintences have died. This gives you a change to express sympathies to surviving family members more timely.
And usually several days before the first of each month, we are able to give you a sneak preview of the coming month's issue of The Linking Ring. Paul Lelekis and Dennis Schick have been sharing this previewing duty. We also send the preview to other media outlets so don't be surprised if you see it in more than just this place.
4. FOUR NEW VIDEOS ARE POSTED. When Shawn Farquhar went to Tokyo, Japan last year, he took video of three professional magicians answering questions from youth members, and they are worth your time clicking on them. Look under the MEDIA MENU to find these and other videos of interest.
5. WANT TO BE A WRITER FOR THE I.B.M.? Finally, both The Linking Ring and the I.B.M. Portal are always looking for contributors. Are you a writer? A photographer? A columnist? A cartoonist? A reviewer? A puzzle-maker? A graphic designer? An artist? A computer whiz? If you are willing to help us and are want to share your expertise and talents, contact Sammy Smith at linkingring@mac.com, or Dennis Schick at crylds@att.net. It's a fun way to GIVE BACK to the hobby you love.
In coming weeks e'll give you other highlights coming up. Watch this space. It's going to be an exciting year on the I.B.M. Portal and in the largest circulation magic publication in the world! Come along for the ride!
