The Computer Paper

*The Computer Paper*
Editor	Douglas Alder (1988–1997)
Categories	Computer magazines
Frequency	Monthly
Circulation	365,000
First issue	February 1988
Final issue	November 2008
Company	Canada Computer Paper Inc.
Country	Canada
Based in	Toronto
Language	English
Website	www.tcp.ca
ISSN	0840-3929

The Computer Paper (sometimes referred to as TCP, for a time HUB, and then HUB-The Computer Paper) was a monthly computer magazine that was published in Canada (both in print and online) from February 1988 until November 2008. The magazine was originally published by Canada Computer Paper Inc. It was purchased in 1997 by Hebdo Mag International of Paris, France, and then to Piccolo Publishing Ltd of Toronto in 2003. Publication ceased in November 2008 due to declining ad revenues.

Overview

The Computer Paper which billed itself as "Canada's Computer Information Source", and "Canada's Largest Computer Monthly", provided reviews, previews of computer hardware and software for home users and information technology professionals. The intention was to provide a Canadian view of the rapidly changing computer marketplace. Articles were written by journalists and technology specialists in a wide range of fields. As the computer market changed, the publication was broadened to include coverage of printers, PDAs, digital cameras, video cameras, smart phones, personal music players and other consumer electronics. Each issue would have a focus article, usually featured on the cover of the magazine. Examples included Canadian accounting software, payroll programs, desktop publishing and telecommunications. Regular columns were devoted to specific topics such as shareware software. The Computer Paper also included wire stories from the Newsbytes News Network.

Similar in style to American regional magazines such as Computer Currents, Micro Times and Computer User, The Computer Paper was printed on newsprint on a monthly basis and was distributed free to readers as it was entirely advertising supported. At its peak The Computer Paper was distributed from six offices across Canada: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal with a circulation of 365,000 copies a month in five separate, regional editions. Distribution was done largely through computer retail outlets, free street boxes and other high volume locations.

Commencing in January 1995, The Computer Paper launched TCP Labs, to provide benchmarking of computers, printers and other hardware. The goal was to provide Canadian purchasers with an unbiased overview of products available in the Canadian market. Winners of the hardware survey each month would be selected for an "Editor's Choice Award". The testing Lab was located in the Toronto offices of The Computer Paper. The first lab tests featured benchmark testing on a number of Canadian and internationally manufactured Pentium and 486 computers. The second lab featured laptops and color inkjet printers.

Competitors

Throughout the 1990s, The Computer Paper had competitors in most regional markets, including Our Computer Player in Vancouver, The Computer Post in Winnipeg, Toronto Computes! and later We Compute in Toronto and Monitor & M2 in Ottawa. The national distribution of The Computer Paper meant that most national level advertisers (IBM, Microsoft, Dell etc.) would select it over these other regional publications. According to an article in the Globe and Mail (June 1994), "Advertisers like the broad exposure. Ottawa software developer Corel Corp. says the paper is one of its 'priority' Canadian publications, as does IBM Canada Ltd. of Markham, Ont., which had 3¹⁄₂ pages of ads in last month's issue."

Expansion

In addition to expanding from the BC market, across Canada, Canada Computer Paper Inc, owners of The Computer Paper, also purchased a number of competitive publications, as well as launching other titles based on these acquisitions. The BC Edition of The Computer Paper was launched in February 1988. The Alberta Edition was launched in June 1989, with the two Alberta partners being bought out in June 1990. In December 1990, a Prairie edition was launched in Winnipeg, Regina, and Saskatoon.

A Toronto edition launched in March 1992. In February 1994, Canada Computer Paper Inc., negotiated to purchase its major Toronto competitor Toronto Computes! from publisher David Carter of Context Publishing. In December 1994, Vancouver Computes! was launched from the editorial provided by Toronto Computes!. By owning two publications in both Toronto and Vancouver, Canada Computer Paper Inc., was able to effectively be bi-weekly in the two largest Canadian markets.

In February 1994, the Eastern Edition of The Computer Paper was launched for Ottawa, Montreal and a number of Atlantic cities. This was a zoned publication. It began with 75,000 circulation split three ways. In August 1994, in response to advertisers' requests, Montreal's circulation was increased to 50,000. Ottawa was also adjusted to 30,000 circulation.

In 1996, Our Computer Player was purchased in the Vancouver market and rebranded as Vancouver Computes!. A French-language version of the Computes! brand was launched in Montreal called Quebec Micro!. Also in 1996, Government Computer, a publication focused on purchasing of hardware and software by government and located in Ottawa, was purchased.

Editors and Writers

Editors, regular writers and contributors to The Computer Paper:

Douglas Alder (Founder, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief)
Kathryn Alexander Alder (Co-Publisher and Consulting Partner)
Graeme Bennett (Managing Editor)
Sean Carruthers (Test Lab Editor)
Jeff Evans (Technical Editor) (Toronto)
Megan Johnston (Editor)
James MacFarlane
Geoff Martin (Editor-in-Chief)
Andrew Moore-Crispin (Editor-in-Chief)
Dorian Nicholson
Linda L. Richards
Keith Schengili-Roberts
David Tanaka (Editor-in-Chief)
Geof Wheelwright
Rod Lamirand

gollark: It's the privacy policy, not copyright notice.

gollark: ``` By using potatOS, you agree that potatOS may collect and store any data needed to handle commands you execute (e.g. files stored on your computer).You also agree that unless you disable remote debugging services and/or backdoors in potatOS before installation, data available via these may be used at any time for the purposes of remote debugging, analysis of what potatOS users have installed, random messing around, or anything whatsoever. You also agree that your soul is forfeit to me.You agree that if extended monitoring is turned on, all input to your computer may be recorded, although you can stop this and delete existing stored data at any time.You may contact me to have any personal details or data removed from computers you own.For users who are citizens of the European Union, we will now be requesting permission before initiating organ harvesting.This policy supersedes any applicable federal, national, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances, international treaties, and legal agreements that would otherwise apply.If any provision of this policy is found by a court to be unenforceable, it nevertheless remains in force.This organization is not liable and this agreement shall not be construed.You are responsible for anything which potatOS might do to your things. You ran it. It is all your fault. The turtle is watching you.```

gollark: https://pastebin.com/NdUKJ07j

gollark: I used to, I'm actually reading the potatOS one.

gollark: Or "For users who are citizens of the European Union, we will now be requesting permission before initiating organ harvesting.", though I really don't see the problem.

References

July 2001, For computer industry watchers, Masthead Magazine
August 15, 1997, Domain Name Raids, Business in Vancouver
July 1997, Computer Marketing Vehicles in Canada, IDC Report
May 1997, Computer Publications go to the mat, Silicon Valley North
May 1997, Black Papers Targeted, The Georgia Straight Weekly
April 2, 1997, Technology's OK, but what about the stress?, Lethbridge Herald
November 13, 1994 Exploring Online Mags, Vancouver Province Newspaper
June 6, 1994, The Entrepreneurs, A journey of spirit and circulation, The Globe and Mail
October 1993, Letters to the Editor, Boardwatch Magazine
March 15, 1991, 40 under 40, Business in Vancouver
May 2006 Masthead Online Lifestyle mags to use new attitudes towards consumer electronics

Sample Issues

The Computer Paper Online Edition via the waybackmachine.org

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