The impact of the ‘digital revolution’ and in particular of the Internet has been nothing short of extraordinary.

What began for many as merely a novelty medium has established a mode for global interpersonal communication that undoubtedly changed most of our lives forever and will be recognized as one of the most important inventions in human history, alongside such other notables as The Gutenberg Bible and penicillin. By 2005 the estimated size of the indexable web was listed at 11.5 billion pages. Over one billion people now use the Internet around the globe. And these numbers are only growing.

This month we have devoted an entire issue to some of the new and emerging aspects and issues relevant to what is very much an ongoing revolution.

Preston White, in a series of essays, examines the subject of user-generated content online, offers his perspective on the increasingly popular field of podcasting, ponders the future of a print media increasingly under threat, and explores the big business of computer ‘in-game’ advertising.

On the subject of big business, James Cleave takes a look at the high stakes turf war currently raging between Google and Microsoft, and I glimpse at the impact of the World Wide Web upon the political landscape.

Finally, Wilfred Finn shares his thoughts on the impact of digital and other technology upon the musician as performer. Has the performance itself become redundant? And what new innovations exactly may find a wider audience for something as beautiful as a cello concert?

Ten years ago this very magazine would have been near impossible in the print media without a necessary mix of substantial financial support, good writing and plenty of luck. Thanks to the digital revolution we’ve been able to survive our first year and boast a growing readership around the globe on a comparatively minimal financial investment, and a more concerted focus upon maintaining good writing and hoping for some continued luck.

I for one, look forward to the next innovations and developments up ahead. Perhaps before too long new technologies will have afforded us the opportunity to establish The Cud Global Communications Network offering news, commentary and opinions to millions of people and across a dozen different mediums.

We’ll keep you posted if that ever happens.

Evan Kanarakis
May, 2006