This is only a preview of the October 2001 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 30 of the 96 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments. For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues. Items relevant to "Build Your Own MP3 Jukebox; Pt.2":
Items relevant to "Super-Sensitive Body Detector":
Items relevant to "An Automotive Thermometer":
Items relevant to "Programming Adapter For Atmel Microcontrollers":
|
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
www.siliconchip.com.au
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD
Production Manager
Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.)
Technical Staff
John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.)
Peter Smith
Ross Tester
Rick Walters
Reader Services
Ann Jenkinson
Advertising Enquiries
David Polkinghorne
Phone (02) 9979 5644
Fax (02) 9979 6503
Regular Contributors
Brendan Akhurst
Rodney Champness, VK3UG
Julian Edgar, Dip.T.(Sec.), B.Ed
Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc, VK2ZLO
Mike Sheriff, B.Sc, VK2YFK
Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW
Bob Young
SILICON CHIP is published 12 times
a year by Silicon Chip Publications
Pty Ltd. ACN 003 205 490. ABN 49
003 205 490 All material copyright
©. No part of this publication may
be reproduced without the written
consent of the publisher.
Printing: Hannanprint, Dubbo,
NSW.
Distribution: Network Distribution
Company.
Subscription rates: $69.50 per
year in Australia. For overseas
rates, see the subscription page in
this issue.
Editorial & advertising offices:
Unit 8, 101 Darley St, Mona Vale,
NSW 2103. Postal address: PO Box
139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097.
Phone (02) 9979 5644.
Fax (02) 9979 6503.
E-mail: silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au
ISSN 1030-2662
Australia is still the
lucky country
Who does not still believe that Australia is the
lucky country? Apart from wonderful climate
and stable government we have a strong economy. That last factor is all the more favourable
considering that much of Asia and most of the
western economies appear to be heading into
recession. Asia has been particularly hard hit
and the USA appears about to go through a year
or so of very low growth. And Japan, once the
powerhouse of Asia, seems unable or unwilling
to sort out the problems in its economy so it won’t
contribute much to growth over the next few years either.
Which brings us back to Australia. Remember all those commentators who
said that the Australian dollar was undervalued because we are perceived
to be part of the “old economy” rather than the exciting “new” economy?
And remember those politicians and commentators who said that Australia
had to become the “clever country” and invest more in IT manufacturing
and all that? We didn’t, did we?
It turns out that most of those high-tech products are now in gross oversupply: computers, mobile phones, DVD players and virtually any other
electronic consumer product. And it does not take much thought to realise
that this was always going to be the case. It’s a good thing that Australian
companies did not take that route otherwise they would be really languishing now. The much-vaunted tech revolution and e-business companies look
pretty sick at the moment.
Meanwhile, Australia is doing pretty well thank you and it’s not all due
to our low-valued dollar. Although, as I wrote back in the December 2000
issue, the longer that the Australian dollar remains undervalued, the better,
because it gives our exporting companies a massive advantage.
Even in the current slow world economy, the people of other countries
still need to eat, buy clothes, etc, so they will continue to buy our primary
products exports and a lot of our manufactured goods and services as well.
And while Australian companies have not invested at all in the mainstream
consumer IT products and telecommunications, many smaller companies
are doing very useful research and development in “niche” products. Also
very encouraging is the fact that most of the Australian capital cities have
encouraged the development of technology parks which act as a hot-house to
push R&D. At some stage all this investment will really pay off for Australia.
Yes, we would all like to see some more major Australian technology
companies such as CSL, Cochlear, Aristocrat and so on, but lots of smaller
technology companies exporting will do just as well thank you. Australia
still is the lucky country.
Leo Simpson
Footnote: all of us at SILICON CHIP express our deepest sympathies to all
those affected by the terrorist attacks on the USA, which occurred just as
this issue went to press.
* Recommended and maximum price only.
2 Silicon Chip
www.siliconchip.com.au
|