It used to be, in the Dark Ages of 2005, that we published a magazine. On paper. Then we sent it to you. Our job was done. On to the next issue.

The magazine was put up online, of course, but that was an automated (and magical) process that us editorial types had little to do with. One of my colleagues would let me know that the magazine was online and I'd send an email to our list of alumni and others who might want to know.

I look back on that now like black-and-white TV.

Now we deliver magazine content to you in an ever-increasing variety of ways. We post on Facebook. Tweet stories. Readers add Colby to their RSS feed. 

All of this means that you can see the magazine in a variety of different ways. On your iPad. Your phone. Your laptop. Or you can have it delivered in paper form to your door. (Still the format preferred by our readers).

I'm sometimes concerned that we've become so consumed with the way we deliver the magazine that we'll lose sight of the importance of the content. Interesting stories. Strong photos. Compelling stuff that we hope you'll enjoy and will reflect the good things going on at Colby and in the greater Colby community. 

But not to worry. Yet.

In a week or two, old-fashioned paper magazines will begin arriving in mailboxes. Digital versions will land in the multitude of devices that are now part of our lives. I hope you will look. Read. Feel drawn to read stories through to the end. Maybe you'll be moved to comment online. Send an email. Or even an old-fashioned letter (that still does happen).

My concerns about the medium overtaking the message have been assuaged once again as I consider the stories headed your way. Marile Borden and her Facebook phenom, Moms Who Need Wine. Capt. Erik Quist, USMC, horribly wounded in Afghanistan but courageously facing the future. Mike Daisey's remarkable show about Apple and Steve Jobs. 

There's much more, of course, and I hope that the time we spend making sure you can read the stuff hasn't diminished the value of what we deliver. 

Let me know. I'd love to know what you think.

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