Wired magazine has a "Wired"/"Tired" feature, for stuff in the tech world that's hot or not. Alas, Wired itself has long since moved to the "Tired" column. Each issue is thinner than the last, with almost no advertising. It's one of the few surviving publications - though it's on life support - of the tech boom.
I remember when fat each issue was about an inch thick, and how excited I used to get when it arrived: just like when the new Playboy came out, back in the day. The current issue is less than a quarter-inch thick.
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
I don't think Wired is doing any worse than the industry average if you are looking at the ratio of editoral to advertising.
While the sale to Conde Nast did make the mag more bland, it really hasn't hurt the credibility. It could have been worse, they could have made Tina Brown the editor in chief.
Just looking at the content over the past year, I say it is consistent and readible with at least two exclusive in-depth features - Amazon's "Look Inside" project, and the recent cloning cover.
2 - JD Mays
I was a loyal subscriber to Wired for many years. In fact, I still have most of those issues. The magazine is a shadow of it's former self. Not only is it thinner but the content is generally lacking. I don't know how it compares to the rest of the industry and don't really care. It's just not as good as it used to be.
There might be a good story here or there but it got so pathetic that I finally dumped my subscription. It used to be a great magazine, but no more.
3 - Eric Olsen
My guess is that the area they used to cover - the meeting of tech-culture-politics - used to be pretty much their own domain. Now everyone does it - even us.
4 - Mac Diva
I like the way Wired is branching out. For example, in this month's edition there is a great feature story about blind phone phrankers in Israel who took businesses and the government for quite a ride. The old Wired would not have had time for an excellent little piece like that.
One aspect of the times is that cool is becoming more and more unwired. In fact, the content on products in tech sources is more and more about getting rid of those wires. So, the name of the magazine has turned ironic.
5 - BB
How about WiredLess?
6 - Ms. Tek
I like wired.
Even though it makes me depressed.
As I have said before, I kinda miss working in IT. I hate that I have to train for another field.
7 - Eric Olsen
excellent point MD
8 - John Mudd
I like WIRED, but I prefer Business 2.0.
For me it's a toss up between Blogcritics and Business 2.0.
Cheers.
9 - Mac Diva
I'm a fan of Business 2.0, too, John. They often beat the rest of the tech press to doing longer articles on timely topics. Their roundup sections are also very thorough. My only gripe is they are sneaky about putting just enough material online to get you to buy the print magazine, like Salon and premium content.