Underground Infrastructure - November 2023 - 6

EDITOR'SLOG
Robert Carpenter | Editor-in-Chief
Cool Changes
Underground Infrastructure Converts to Total Digital Platform
The older I get the harder change comes.
I guess that's just human nature.
I like printed materials. I read a lot of
books, comic books, newspapers and magazines
while growing up. Books were an
essential part of college, where my first degree
was in print journalism (newspapers).
I've been involved in printed media since junior high when
I used to write sports for a local newspaper. That's when I got
hooked, watching what happened to my written words. First,
they were inputted and formatted into a photomechanical machine
that would then process a " slick. "
These slicks were run through another machine that
would put a wax coating on the backside. Each slick would be
trimmed with scissors and then positioned on a special type
of full broadsheet newspaper style template. All the pages for
the newspaper would be composed that way, including ads.
From there, a special type of large camera would shoot the
pages and create a full-sized negative. Those negatives would
be stripped together into the right sequence, taken to a " plate
maker " that would burn a reverse image into a silver oxide
coated aluminum plate. The plates were placed on drums of
large presses and the printing began, completing the offset
printing process. With excitement and pride, I would grab one
of the first copies off the press to view my printed words.
Or, offset printing worked something like that - it's been
a long time since I was directly involved in that end of production.
As I started my post-college newspaper career, that
process kept getting better, faster and more flexible in its
capabilities.
One of the biggest changes came with the rapid development
of the computer industry. With advances in computer
graphics, no longer did a physical page need to be produced.
It was all created on Macs and PCs. The digital version of a
newspaper or magazine page was downloaded onto special
storage devices and sent overnight to the printer, who loaded
the digital images straight to a plate making machine. Talk
about a time saver.
That process kept getting better due, in part, to the advancement
of digital transportation capabilities i.e., internet,
then fast internet and, today, fiber internet. We instantly upload
an entire magazine directly to the printer's equipment.
Funny how underground infrastructure (via fiber) has played
such a strong role with my media industry.
6 NOVEMBER 2023 | UndergroundInfrastructure.com
Today, fast digital communications include modern 5G cell
service, as well. By combining fiber and cell mediums, we get
instant communications to our phones, tablets and computers.
Underground Infrastructure has been heavily trending towards
the advantages of digital for some time now. Not only
do we have a very active and comprehensive website, but
we publish the industry's largest circulation and only daily
newsletter. I love the advantages that gives us as the premier
construction, rehabilitation and asset management news, data
and information source.
I started my career on a newspaper, bringing news to readers
on a daily basis. And now, thanks to our digital products,
we've come full circle and are back to a daily news and information
source. I appreciate how many people have commented
that reading our early morning newsletter is like the old days
of reading the morning paper with their first cup of coffee, only
now your medium is a cell phone, tablet or computer.
But even better, don't be surprised if occasionally you get
a midday or late-night special update when there is breaking
news. We have an expert digital staff with broad resources that
understands the significance and importance of that capability.
Further, our website never rests. It is updated continually
with all kinds of information. You'll always find something new
and interesting on our website, and it serves as a virtual encyclopedia
of valuable facts and data for our readers. Factor in
our growing webinar and podcast programs, and it's easy to see
why we are becoming the dominate digital medium for underground
infrastructure.
However, we're not quite done. I've known for some time
that the print version of Underground Infrastructure is limiting
and essentially no longer relevant to our goals of producing the
preeminent and timely news and information package for the underground
market. So, the time is now, and opportunity awaits.
Effective with our December 2023 issue, the Underground
Infrastructure print magazine will take the final step in its digital
evolution and convert to a unique all-digital format. Rather
than the cumbersome and difficult-to-read products currently
on the market, we're moving to PageRaft technology that provides
an amazing ease of reading and efficiency of displaying
our entire magazine each month.
Total digital has arrived for Underground Infrastructure
and while it is a major change, it represents exciting new and
proficient methods of communication with our readers. With
excitement and pride, I can't wait to " grab " my digital copy. UI
http://www.UndergroundInfrastructure.com
Underground Infrastructure - November 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Underground Infrastructure - November 2023
