MacReview
About
History
MacReview is got its start back in early 1995, before the “Web” had really caught on. America Online and CompuServe were what people referred to when they said they were going online. About this time a wave of pioneering, independent publishers began putting out publications known as “eZines.” These eZines were stand-alone documents — usually in DOCMaker format — that readers could download and view on their computers.
The Idea
I came up with an idea for an eZine that would review Macintosh shareware and fonts. This would help users decide what programs and fonts to download. It would also give shareware authors some sorely needed exposure. The first issue was released as a stand-alone document in DOCmaker format. It was called “Mac Shareware Review.”
The eZine Award
Six issues were released in DOCMaker format over the next year and a half. Along the way, MSR (Mac Shareware Review) underwent several changes. I constantly strived to add new features and improve the design. Starting with issue #4, I added commercial software to the mix and changed the name of the magazine to “Mac Software Review.” MSR proved to be very popular. We even won an award from ATPM for being one of the Ten Best eZines of 1995.
The Web Hits
Around the summer of 1996, it became apparent that the World Wide Web was going to be very popular. I felt taking MSR to the Web would be a natural progression. I could create a magazine that was continually updating. It would contain the most current information, plus reviews and other content for as long as they were still relevant. I set out to learn Web page construction.
MSR Hits The Web
Late in 1996, MSR hit the World Wide Web. No looking back. I converted some of the content from the DOCMaker issues and began adding new content. AOL service had also started deteriorating. Busy signals were the norm. I decided to drop AOL and switch to an Internet Service Provider. Once I found a provider, I needed to come up with a domain name for the site. I felt macsoftwarereview.com was too long to be practical. So I decided to shorten Mac Software Review’s name to MacReview.
Changes
Over the next three years, MacReview went through continual change. I never seemed satisfied with the design of the website and did a number of overhauls. A few examples are shown here. I also continued to refocus the content of MacReview. I continually added more and more content (fonts, icons, graphic tutorials, images, etc.) until the site became a nightmare to maintain. After coming to my senses, I decided to concentrate on the one thing MacReview has always been about: reviews.
Focus
Each software title has a brief description and links to a number of reviews including MacReview’s own in-depth reviews, and reviews on other websites. In addition, readers have the option of submitting their own opinions of software, giving readers as many opinions as possible. Hopefully this will help make the decision regarding what software is worth buying much easier. Of course, the more reader input I get, the better. So be sure to take a moment and fill out our Reader Opinion form. With your help MacReview can become a great one-stop resource for software information.
Ratings
MacReview uses the following categories to rate software:
- Intended Function
- Ease Of Use
- User Interface
- Documentation
- Features
- Value
These categories are modified according to need. A virtual synthesizer might have a “Sound Quality” category, and games may have a “Replay Value” category. Each category is given a score from 1 to 10, and the final rating is an average of all the category ratings.
Thanks for visiting.
Mark Starlin
Staff
Mark Starlin
Publisher, editor, reviewer, designer, creator, etc.
With the help of:
Guest Reviewers
Jeff Foxx: An art director for a multimedia and web development company.
Reader Opinions
This is you. You can fill out a Reader Opinion form here.
MSR eZines
Early Web Designs
