Survey Results
The survey results are in and here they are:
42.4% of the cards were returned.
An average of 2.20755 people per subscriber are reported to read 2600.
85.5% say they are satisfied. 9.0% say they are not.
Reasons for reading (more than one choice was allowed):
- 53.3% - Personal
- 46.7% - Hobby
- 33.0% - Business
- 6.1% - Security agency
- 9.0% - Industry
- 25.0% - Phreaker
- 28.7% - Hacker
- 8.0% - Other
12.2% of the respondents considered themselves a phreaker, 12.7%, a hacker, 12.1%, both, and 55.2%, neither a phreaker nor a hacker.
44.3% said we improved. 8.0% said we did not improve.
Finally, 50.4% said that they would contribute to 2600 in some way.
Dear Readers:
We are quite willing to admit that most of the responses to our reader survey were complimentary. Many of you provided us with useful criticism. We hope you do not find any more problems with the punching of the holes. We have taken new steps to ensure that the holes meet industry standards. Since we got so many positive responses, we were forced to print a larger proportion of the negative responses. Then again, quite a few of the negative responses read like this: "I am not satisfied because you are not weekly" or "not 10 pages," etc. Well, at least this month we are 10 pages.
New York, NY - Exclusive information. Keep it up. My least favorite part is that there are no dates on news items, nor datelines.
Raleigh, NC - Too much "fluff" news. Too much telephone Blue Boxing info. I think you perform a "public service" by exposing ways to hack into computer systems. The companies will not give users this information. A magazine like 2600 may "wake up" some readers and computer users. Much of your technical information is not accurate. For instance, the 10/85 article on VMS did not mention version 4.0 security features which radically altered VMS and made your article obsolete. Also there is no such privilege in VMS as "system manager".
Kihner Facility, NJ - It's the perfect complement to Private Sector BBS (when it's online, that is) (even better when it's offline *sigh*).
Salinas, CA - Taking up valuable room with stupid 2600 "Flash" news briefs, same for "Systematically Speaking." These articles are of amusing interest only nothing that great. Like to see a beginners' series such as the basic terms definitions and a tutorial on how to get started hacking and phreaking.
Philadelphia, PA - Keep your scope broad and always include news items and commentary; all of those who read my copy are interested in maintaining security and laughing at phone companies.
Charleston, SC - Would like to see special pricing on all back issues as a package. What happened to TAP? And why a different P.O. box for this card?
As of this month, back issues will be available at a special rate of $20 per volume (all of 1984 or 1985). TAP is gone. We have not seen a new copy for well over a year. We have heard various rumors about TAP. Incidentally (and for the benefit of those who haven't heard us say this a dozen times before), we are not TAP. Finally, the different P.O. box was used to receive the survey cards, so we would not clog the other box up. We even have other boxes for other purposes, but we don't want to bore you with the details.
Phoenix, AZ - I like your rag a lot.
Smithtown, NY - I think it's a great magazine. Please try to give out numbers of really good BBSes. Also include more schematics.
Westchester, NY - Try to avoid trouble! I value your info very much! Why should one person be dumb to the ways of the world!
Western Nassau GMF, NY - How about some phreak basix? A small column on this from month to month would be pretty cool. I know some hackers; no real phreaks. When wacko Jersey DA's are talking about "moving satellites" and the "strait press" is talking about tank parts or launching nukes, it's good to know there are still more places like 2600 to go to to find out the truth.
Fort Smith, AR - Favorite: contributions by hackers & phreakers. Least: fillers. Keep up the excellent work.
Kansas City, MO - I would like to see more technical articles on the phone system and how about explosives? You showed some real guts publishing the Blue Box plans and although it is much more difficult how do they work. Publish the results of this survey. Publish financial report on 2600.
We do not like explosives. There is a plethora of magazines that tell about them or look in the Anarchist's Cookbook or you could use gasoline and a match or perhaps an axe.
Washington, DC - Any information on phones is valuable and hard to get but you never provide background, explanations, or words for acronyms. Define terms, give references. Your recent letter about ripping off universities was extremely offensive. Stop filling space with AT&T ads.
San Francisco, CA - Put in more "how-to" phone info - actual telco codes. Also how to use Blue, Black, Green, etc. boxes - that is why I subscribed - to get such information.
Honolulu, HI - Far away most valuable information available for mere pennies.
Denver, CO - Please continue covering as much telco electronics as you can get a hold on. Also very much appreciated are the suggested reading materials - more suggestions would be highly valued. Also would like lists of other such publications running along the same lines as 2600. Finally, any such info on international systems, such as U.K.. Italy, Australia, or Japan would be invaluable. The more of the above I see the more I will be motivated to contribute.
U.S. Postal Service, MI - Would like to see more first person accounts and interviews.
So would we.
Staten Island, NY - How about a 2600 BBS Network? (one step closer to Exxon's size...) Where's the 2600 phonebook? Topics: BBSes that cater to hackers, phreaks, ARPANET in detail, do all BIOC's tutorials in series, trashing spots (have readers send these in).
Pittsburgh, PA - I have been known to do some risky things, but not anymore. Would like to see more info on risk free pastimes, especially 800 numbers. Maybe a section to post BBS numbers.
Please send us lists of BBS numbers or a brief review of your favorite BBS.
Western Nassau GMF, NY - Good luck fighting the system. Keep up your exposes of the communication companies.
Smithtown, NY - Like the short clips and letters; dislike the long, technical articles geared toward small elite of specialists. Topics: hacking laws: where are the limits?
Birmingham, AL - Too much space devoted to news clippings - but keep them, just reduce print size.
No Postmark - Since it seems that TAP has gone the way of the dinosaurs, perhaps you could fill in some of the areas of subject matter that they covered. Perhaps occasional interviews with phreakers/hackers/sysops or a short review of a good BBS. Perhaps something with the 414 wizard about being busted or Bootlegger.
Denver, CO - Too much space is devoted to computers. The price has increased - I guess that's an improvement for you. I probably won't renew.
The price only increased from$10 to $12 per year back on March 1st. Back issue prices did increase, but this should not affect your renewal. Are you just trying to depress us?
Houston, TX - Fills a void in the phreaking world.
No Postmark - Least favorite part is the articles on operating systems; Most: crime and intrigue!
No Postmark - Include more definitions, explanatory material. I hope you can keep 2600 going. It's got a lot of interesting stuff, and it's nicely produced.
New Orleans, LA - At least you're trying. Please tell me how the Dutch TV pirates built their wireless TV transmitters for $20 (as stated in an issue this year). It is vital to free speech in the U.S. that we build one and use it. I love your mag, but you should do follow-ups on earlier stories.
We do not know any more about these pirates. Readers? Perhaps you can answer this one?
Van Nuys, CA - Not satisfied, it's not TAP. Topics: anything dastardly, home built H-bombs, etc.
Prince Georges, MD - Sometimes writing is childish. Less sensationalism. Too much "we, they." Challenge readers more.
Salt Lake City, UT - Favorite part is the tech articles. Least favorite part is system trashing examples. How about a separate page of classified ads from readers wanting to buy/sell modems, tech. manuals, etc.
No Mark - Need better balance for new readers who are not sure what is going on.
Baltimore, MD - Usually good information; least favorite part is the lack of maturity (unsigned articles, etc.) Improve: have all articles signed; be responsible.
Unfortunately, in this world, where data is stored here and there, where databases are cross-matched, where the government opens a "file" on the suspicious, where the FBI delights in punishing youths by sending them to bed without their computer, our writers have an understandable right to withhold information like this. 2600 is primarily in the business of providing information. A byline is not nearly as important to anyone as the article itself.
San J(cut off postmark) - It's difficult for some of us who are not already familiar with, say, a computer system to get much out of an article which delves directly and deeply on a particular subject. For instance, there was a recent article on some DEC system, starting off with how you get into it and what you can do. It would have been of benefit to the uninitiated to have an opening paragraph describing uses and users of such a system, and how the information in the article can be of any use to the hacker or casual experimenter. In general, though a good publication; I look forward to each issue. Hope you get your BBS back up; I'd like to access it if I could figure out how.
Raleigh, NC - Could have more technical content, better articles concerning theory of operation, and new updated systems i.e. ESS, DMS, etc.
Rolla, MO - Interesting articles, knowledgeable, not over awed by technology (as are regular news people).
That's what we're all about.
Oakland, CA - Would like more technical articles.
Somewhere in Canada - Although very satisfied would like to see more on structure of networks and personal tales. Info bureau: sometimes weak explanations, other times irrelevant filler.
Orlando, FL - Lead article usually good. Flash is so so.
Omaha, NE - Favorite part is the cover articles. Least favorite part is Xerox of advertisements.
Raton Rouge, LA - I like all of it!
Los Angeles, CA - High tech and informative. A rare breed of journalism soon to become extinct.
Why extinct? As time passes by, the staff of 2600 will undoubtedly breed more journalists. Also as time passes, technology developments will open new frontiers. In the 1960s there was only the world of telephony. Now there's a crazy telephone world as well as a computer world. Who knows what the future brings.
(Illegible) - Least favorite part is "Dear 2600." Most favorite part is info on phone systems.
(Cut Off) - At this low cost, articles are excellent. Most favorite part is information bureau. Least favorite: 2600 Flash.
If we lowered the price would you like the content of articles better?
Sacramento, CA - Not enough information on "how to." I like the mail section, dislike some of the news articles (the ones that are just trivia; no info)
Omaha, NE - Have enjoyed reading the publication if for only a short time. Have found it very informative. Hope the articles and good work continue. This is one of the few ways the real information can reach interested parties.
San Jose, CA - Excellent attempts at accuracy.
Attempts?...
Oakland, CA - Favorite part is news clips, least favorite part is biased reporting.
Marina Del Rey, CA - I thought the mag would talk more about computers rather than telephones.
Kansas City, MO - It's good "scare" material for system security professionals.
Roanoke, VA - Good from the start. Glad [you] don't do drug articles like TAP (waste of space) - improve by covering more diverse technologies. Put out call for papers.
Salt Lake City, UT - Prefer more computer hacking info, less phone phreak info. More mainframe access numbers and passwords.
We never publish passwords, unless they are non-functional or default passwords.
Northern Virginia, VA - For the price, it's not bad, but for myself I'm more into just phones instead of hacking.
Denver, CO - Would like to see some working Red and Blue Box plans printed, more of them. Like to see military manuscripts of any type on weapons, communications, and computer banks.
Hicksville, NY - Your articles have gone down, while news bits or other bits have gone up. The articles are much more interesting.
Chicago, IL - Can improve: yes, make it bigger.
Trenton, NJ - Still too technical.
Lancaster, CA - I would like to see more information on phreaking, both techniques and hardware. I read 2600 for the shear ecstasy of knowing what makes "the system" work.
And there you have it.
Some of you do not like our Newsflash column, then again about the same amount of think it is the best part of 2600. Some of you say it is too technical, and then some say it is not technical enough. Some of you say that there is too much computer emphasis, and some say that there is too much discussion of telephony.
At least we know that many of you wont to see some articles covering the basics of phreaking and hacking, something which we will devote more space to in 1986.
Many of you also like the letters section, which, unfortunately, has been replaced with this section this month. If you want us to print secret government documents, then someone has to send us secret government documents.
If you like the letters column, then write informative letters to us. The same goes for features and articles and stories and data. We have many good writers. But we want more.
Happy New Year.