It's hard to believe that only ten years ago my friends were incredibly impressed that I had my Very Own website, complete with crazily patterned backgrounds, a lame midi, and yes, a kitten running back and forth across the screen. Thankfully, this was ten years ago and I can pretend that I have always Known Better.

Still, it's been an amazing ten years when you think about the development of computers and the associated technology, so this issue is dedicated to those machines that many of us have our lives depend on.

We've got some interesting features this month: Stav Ofer walks us through the creation of a digital painting, Valerie Higgins reminds us just how important the right password can be, and Brandie Minchew delves into the world of Alternate Reality Gaming (ARG).

Our columns are fully computerized this month as well, with remarks on the evolution of acceptance of digital painting from Ursula, an InDesign tutorial by Annie, greener computing with Janet, and Marina explaining how computers and technology have even evolved from our culture's myths.

And don't forget our themed art galleries, desktops, and fiction! There's just a taste of it with month's cover art, done by Christine Griffin.

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