The title of this column in the January 1995 issue of CleanRooms was “In business with you.” At that time, I was introducing our readers (many of whom are still with us) to a brand new magazine format, mission statement and approach to coverage for CleanRooms. I talked about “a continuous process underway to make an already successful publication better for both our readership and our advertisers-the guiding principle being that satisfying the former guarantees the latter.” Now, some eleven years later, you hold in your hands very tangible evidence of the most recent evolution of that ongoing process.

For those of you who don’t remember, prior to January 1995, CleanRooms magazine was largely a “product tabloid,” with 90 percent of its content devoted exclusively to product listings. And, though product information was, and still is, valuable content, the contamination-control industry was in desperate need of a vehicle that was much more informative, comprehensive and educational. The new CleanRooms began to meet that need by introducing originally researched news and features, unique and comprehensive contributed technical articles, insightful columns and commentary, and other valuable content in addition to continuing to bring readers the latest in new product offerings. The contamination-control industry now had its own dedicated source for learning about, sharing, and advancing its technology and capabilities.

Now, once again, CleanRooms is stepping up to meet a new and changing set of requirements and opportunities in the information needs of the contamination-control community. First of all, we recognize that with the advent and expansion of the Internet, most industry professionals have ready access to both timely and narrowly targeted news sources. Our own Web site and twice-monthly electronic newsletters provide precisely that service. What is needed today is not just an announcement of news events, but in-depth follow-up, background and analysis to connect these events to real-world requirements and challenges. We need to reach out to multiple industry experts for their insight and expertise and present you, our readers, with complete, thorough, concise and balanced reports from which you can make your own informed judgments and decisions. The standard magazine format is a much more efficient and reader-friendly vehicle with which to present this type of content.

Also, although CleanRooms has always maintained the highest standards and practices relative to selecting contributed articles for publication in its pages, moving into 2006, the publication will begin implementing an “expert-review” process into our contributed technical article program. With the expertise of our highly respected editorial advisory board together with other specially selected industry experts, technical paper contributions will now be formally vetted for technical accuracy, significance, and overall merit prior to acceptance for publication. Articles that successfully achieve this level of technical standing will be recognized and identified with a special CleanRooms magazine seal of accomplishment. Standard magazine size is generally considered the recognized format for such formally vetted editorial content.

We certainly hope you enjoy the new look, feel and improved editorial value of CleanRooms magazine. Please let us hear from you. Change is sometimes not only good, it’s necessary. But, as I said eleven years ago, we’re still in business with you, and that will not be changing. So let us know.

John Haystead
Editor in Chief