dramatic transformation in both ap-
pearance and content. In my July edito-
rial I began explaining the new editorial
model of Communications, particularly
the Research Highlights section that
provides a bird’s-eye view of the breadth
and depth of computing research.
But there are several other innova-
tive editorial features to this publica-
tion. The Practice section targets pro-
fessionals in the software industry with
an emphasis on software engineering.
Articles published in this section frame
and define technical problems and
challenges ahead while helping readers
sharpen their own thinking and ability
to pursue innovative solutions. Practice
articles do not focus on industry news
or the latest solutions. Rather, they ex-
plore disruptive technologies that are
just on the verge of breaking through.
The editorial board of Communications’
Practice section also serves as the edito-
rial board of ACM Queue, enabling us to
benefit from their experience in creat-
ing great computing-practice content.
The third novel feature is the greatly
expanded News section, now publish-
ing a selection of brief news updates
and in-depth news articles on a broad
range of topics. The goal of this section
is to cover major developments in com-
puting in a broadly accessible manner.
As a monthly publication, Communica-
tions cannot offer the immediacy of the
mass media, but it can cover topics in
an increased depth, as befits its sophis-
ticated readership.
The fourth new editorial element is
the section featuring Review Articles
that describe new developments of
broad significance to the field and high-
light unresolved questions and future
directions. Unlike survey articles that
provide a detailed introduction to a
technical area, a Review article in Com-
munications offers a high-level perspec-
tive. This is consistent with our goal of
offering its readers a broad perspective
on new developments in computing.
Finally, the new editorial model in-
herits two successful features from its
previous model. The Viewpoints sec-
tion is dedicated to opinions and views
that pertain to issues of broad interest
to the community, typically, but not
exclusively, of a nontechnical nature.
This section consists of both regular
columns, some that have been appear-
ing in Communications for years and
some that are new to the magazine, as
well as unsolicited opinion pieces and
point-counterpoint editorial debates.
Finally, Contributed Articles features
unsolicited articles from the community
covering the abundant spectrum of the
computing field—its open challenges,
technical visions and perspectives, edu-
cational aspects, societal impact, signif-
icant applications, and research results
of high significance and broad interest.
Communications’ editorial policy toward
contributed articles has changed signif-
icantly with the July issue, as we now re-
quire that such articles be aimed at the
broad computing and IT community.
Unlike some other flagship publica-
tions, most of Communications’ con-
tent is produced not by professional
writers but by members of the com-
puting community. To succeed, Com-
munications must become a venue of
choice for computing content of the
highest quality. While many of Commu-
nications’ articles are solicited by mem-
bers of its editorial board, unsolicited
articles are crucial to our success. It
is important, however, to recognize
Communications’ unique role. It does
not aim to compete with ACM’s doz-
ens of scholarly journals or nearly 150
conferences. Communications enjoys
a uniquely broad readership; ACM’s
90,000 members consist of students,
educators, researchers, software devel-
opers, CTOs, and CIOs. Such a diverse
and international readership calls for
articles that are aimed at a broad rather
than specialized audience. Prospective
authors are advised to consult this issue,
or the three previous editions, for great
examples of this new editorial focus. In-
terested authors are advised to review
the recently revised Author Guidelines
( www.cacm.acm.org/guidelines) for de-
tailed information on how to position,
prepare, and submit manuscripts.
Let me end by repeating the last para-
graph of my January 2008 essay, “CACM:
Past, Present, and Future.” We live in a
consumer society, so it is easy to evaluate
products from a consumer perspective:
“Is Communications a satisfactory prod-
uct?” “Am I getting my money’s worth
for my ACM membership?” ACM, how-
ever, is not a consumer-product vendor,
it is a professional society. We are not
ACM customers, we are ACM members.
Communications is not a product, it is a
project. For this project to succeed, the
membership of ACM must collectively
undertake it. Let us—together—make
Communications the exciting publica-
tion it should be. Please write to me at
eic@cacm.acm.org.
References:
Archives