Volume Number: 25 (2009)
Issue Number: 02
Column Tag: Editorial

From the Editor, February 2009

The issue of MacTech you're now reading is a long time in coming. Too long, perhaps. At MacTech, we simply strive to bring you the best tech knowledge to help you achieve your goals. This month, we're focusing on creation.

Creativity has been a hallmark of the Macintosh platform during its life. That implies, of course, that something gets created. This may be a new device, an application or a process. But someone had an idea and saw it through to reality. Someone may have even created an article that inspired others to use that knowledge and create further. It starts somewhere, though, and the more realms of knowledge that the creator is tapped into, the easier it will be to create and further mold that creation.

As a reader of MacTech, you can certainly create something: a shell script; an Automator action; an Objective-C function; an MCX record that changes that behavior of target machines; a one-line AppleScript that displays information in the GUI; something, if you realize it or not! It's useful to use existing skills as building blocks for larger challenges.

Also, you should recognize this creation in everything you do with technology: someone designed and created iMovie. Someone designed and created Photoshop. Someone designed and created the specification and functions that make up the MP3 codec. Someone created the computer (thank you, Alan Turing). There's little more important, in the technological scheme of things, than this creation.

In each month's MacTech Spotlight, we feature people that have a penchant for this creation. We ask about their inspiration, and what keeps them coming back for more. We want nothing more than a MacTech reader to be the next person featured in our Spotlight. So, what are we giving you this month to achieve this?

First, start with the Creation article. It delves into this concept a bit further, and features some known voices weighing in on the subject. From there, each article this month aids you in creating and working with your creations.

One special article this month is "Torque it to the Macs," which is an introduction to the Torque game engine. First, we want to illustrate that creating a product on the Mac doesn't always involve firing up Xcode. Also, realize that you're rarely bound to using a product in the way the creator intended. While GarageGames expects people to use Torque for game development, you are free to use it to create interactive training materials, simulations or 'edutainment,' or whatever you choose.

All of our regular columns are present, plus Macworld 2009 coverage, iPhone development tutorials and more. We do have two absences, though: Noah Gift's Samba/LDAP series, and Norman Palardy's REALbasic tutorials; both will resume next issue.

Apple has succeeded by never having a "comfort zone" causing them to constantly innovate and create. And, as a Mac user, Apple offers tools that allow you to create: Pages, Garage Band, iMovie, Keynote and more. At MacTech Magazine, we're going to be pushing past our comfort zone and offering deeper and broader support for all Macintosh-related technologies. You can influence this directly: send us your ideas and what you'd like to see covered: letters@mactech.com is always listening!

Ed Marczak,

Executive Editor