No problems, kgd. The thing about publishing is readers want to know what works, since telling them what's trash basically takes up ink. With that said, I like to write about something that sucks every so often. When Magellan came out with those new GPS units and tagged them "Reinventing GPS" I knew I had to try it. The closest they would even read on distance is 100 meters, so they were basically worthless. Magellan made the bullshit claim, and SWAT had the balls to let me basically say "they are f**king lying!" No other magazine I have written for will allow me to trash something, so I only write about things that actually worked for the rest of those I write for.
The upcoming SWAT columns on gear from the jungle has a couple of items that are trash and the rest are pieces that really worked as designed. One other thing I'd like to note here: is SWAT has a policy of no free stuff to writers. If I review it, then I bought it with my money. Guns that have to be returned or large ticket items that a writer may not be able to afford are loaned, but no matter who supplies it the supplier knows they are not getting a free ticket on a good review. It's all about integrity.
This new magazine that Pelton and us are working on will be a shift from the norm...from any norm. You will see hard use stuff, interviews, survival skills and might even see a good looking woman or two. You may see some pro writers from the NatGeo circuit in there and a celebrity interview or so about survival issues. The magazine will have a wide appeal. If we actually pull off what we are working on then we're going to sort of break the mold on the typical magazine market. It will be a fun read while teaching something useful. Every day magazines are WAY too serious about their editorial content!
I'd really love and respect a magazine which just gave the odd -this is crap-review almost like the occasional movie critic will do. That really would be refreshing!
