Here is a screen shot of Mistral. Mistral is an online tool used to proof magazine pages before shipping to press. It allows several people in remote locations to view pages and exchange notes regarding specifications and corrections. There are several different view options. The view presented here is called "flatplan state." Flatplan state is my personal view of choice. It's kind of like having each page of the magazine tacked up to a wall. It's kind of cool. Though I still prefer old-fashioned pen and paper.
I have been going through the flatplan for job STRS-080049. That's the
2009 Stereophile Buyer's Guide. It's looking very good. Most of the editorial pages have already been OK'ed, meaning they are ready to go on press. Just a few more pages to go, and we'll be set to say goodnight to the
Buyer's Guide. It's been a bear. You can expect to see it on newsstands by the beginning of November.
There is no rest for the wicked, however. As soon as we're done with the
Buyer's Guide, we'll be set to ship pages for the December issue. Working on two issues at once is a challenge, but nothing we can't handle. It just requires supernatural degrees of concentration, uncanny organizational skills, and tireless dedication. That's all.
Both the
Buyer's Guide and the December issue will be beautiful. John Atkinson and I have to thank Pip Tannenbaum, Natalie Brown Baca, Nerissa Dominguez Vales, and Ariel Bitran for their endless enthusiasm, patience, and overall superb work.
