The first thing that readers probably noticed about this issue is the new face. For several years, I have felt the need to modernize the format, but learning new technologies takes time that I thought I did not have until I was left with no choice. A computer crash caused the loss of hundreds of files that I had saved over the years in addition to the word processing program that I had learned years ago and had continued to use in publishing The Skeptical Review. Slowly, I have managed to retrieve some of the files, but restoring the archaic word processing programs and print fonts proved to be time consuming. I decided that it would be much more sensible to use the time to learn a more modern system. For years, I had promised myself that when the next issue had been taken to press, I was finally going to set aside the time to wade through obscurely written software manuals and by trial and error learn a more up- to-date program, but there would always be some pressing task to make me postpone the resolution until another issue had been completed with the old program I was already familiar with. The computer crash finally forced me to take the time to give the paper a long overdue facelift. The process was indeed one of trials and errors, with far more trials than errors. Anyone who didn't grow up in the computer age will understand what I mean when I say that trials and frustrations are almost unlimited when an "old-timer" tries to read software manuals written by people who apparently believe that everyone grew up on computers and will recognize when important steps are skipped in the explanation of technical processes. This was doubly no, triplyfrustrating to an old retired writing instructor, who when I finally discovered how to do a maneuver not fully explained in the manual, wondered, "Now why didn't the author of the manual just say that?" If there is a hell, I think that computer technicians will surely be shoo-ins for front row seats.
Despite the frustrations, I did manage to learn the new program well enough to turn out what you are now reading. I'm not entirely satisfied, but I hope to improve the new format as I learn more and more about the mysterious realm of computer technology. In this issue, you are seeing a lot more "white space" than usual. In past issues, I had tried to use every bit of space available, but some complained that the crowding made reading difficult at times. You are now seeing a little more white space between lines and the text printed in Times 12 print rather than the 10 of the old system. Quotations will be published in 10-point print rather than the 8 of earlier issues. These two changes should bring a little relief to tired old eyes.
These changes, however, will mean less printed text, so not as much material will be published with the new format. Otherwise, The Skeptical Review will remain the same. It will continue to publish articles that debunk the biblical inerrancy doctrine. Readers who wish to submit articles should keep that in mind. Articles on the existence of God or doctrinal matters unrelated to biblical inerrancy won't be accepted. The "mailbag" column will remain a forum where those with opinions on such topics can express them.
With the computer crash, I lost several articles that had been
electronically submitted. I have contacted all those whose articles I
can remember to request that they send new copies. If you sent an
article that hasn't yet been published and you have not been contacted
about sending replacement copies, you should contact me at the e-mail
address at the bottom of page 2, or you can write if you are still
living farther back in the past than I was before I finally realized
that electronic mail was the wave of the future.
