April 2003 The International Reference for Chip-Scale Electronics, Flip-Chip Technology, Optoelectronic Interconnection and Wafer-Level Packaging Email the editor

Gene Selven Publisher

The April issue is our kickoff to the second calendar quarter and the time to reflect on how we are doing so far this year-especially as it relates to the focus of our business.

It's hard to keep your eye on the ball with so many balls in the air, especially while the economy still bumps along, amid a raging liberation war in Iraq, and threatening terrorist attacks.

In spite of all this (or perhaps because of it), I see and feel the American spirit still keeping its focus on the task at hand-one day at a time-of fanning the fires of progress in spite of the budget cuts throughout our industry.

At Chip Scale Review, we have, by hard, honest work, secured a unique position in the IC packaging world through focusing and expanding our editorial excellence, circulation and value-added programs. Simply stated, we put our readers first by delivering the best editorial package in the business and carrying industry news in a "thick" publication.

Although we've put some cost-cutting measures into effect, we have not cut back on the effort we expend on our editorial material or the magazine's overall quality.

In fact, we brought Terry Thompson, one of the best (and best-known) editors in the industry, aboard during the height of the recession. He joined Ron Iscoff, another of the best editors in the industry. This has taken place while our competitors have cut their editorial staffs.

You've probably seen or read how one of our competitors claims its publications cover the industry globally. Sorry to pop their balloon, but so do we! In fact, we have subscribers in almost every country in the world. Additionally, through a special arrangement with SEMI, we distribute extra copies of Chip Scale Review at every show they produce, including China, Korea, Munich, Singapore, Taiwan and on to San Jose.

It's true that we don't have 8, 20 or 100 other publications to support us (or the other way around). Nor do we have multiple layers of bureaucracy to get in the way of our editorial mission or to delay our quick response to market shifts. We're strictly independent, and we like it that way! We target all our attention, all our talents and resources on the magazine you are reading now. One day at a time.

We also like to be different-from our totally original covers to the quality of the paper and the design we use, to the original editorial we publish and on to the exclusive vendor directories we include in each issue. And as you may have noticed, beginning last year we began a campaign to become very visible in the marketplace by our seminar co-sponsorships.

Please take a moment, and e-mail me your comments about Chip Scale Review. Tell me how we can do even better-one day at a time.