Back to Its Roots

As of February 18, the SQL Server Magazine Web site has a new look and improved functionality! As SQL Server Magazine approached its 5th anniversary with the March 2004 issue, we decided to make some changes in the magazine and the Web site that reflect our mission for 2004 and beyond. ( Figure 1 shows the new homepage.) We've re-tooled the magazine to highlight our three core areas of focus: SQL Server administration, development, and business intelligence (BI). In conjunction with a print magazine redesign that will make finding development, administration, and BI content easier, we've also redesigned the Web site to take advantage of the technology available in our sister publication, Windows & .NET Magazine. SQL Server Magazine's Web site is now part of the Windows & .NET Magazine Network, which has about 1.5 million unique users and monthly traffic of about 8 million impressions.

Although you get as much SQL Server-specific information as before, the new SQL Server Magazine Web site makes finding information about related technologies easier. SQL Server Magazine is part of a one-stop network of information about SQL Server administration and development, the Windows OS, Exchange Server, Windows security, administrative scripting, Web administration, Active Directory, and dozens of other topics.

The change brings many benefits to SQL Server Magazine readers, whose jobs typically require familiarity with a variety of Windows technologies. Here's a list of the top 9 enhancements in the SQL Server Magazine redesign:

1.	Easier logon. Readers who subscribe to more than one publication in the Windows & .NET Magazine Network (such as SQL Server Magazine, Security Administrator, or Exchange & Outlook Administrator) can log on once to access those publications online. They can also administer their accounts in one place on the site. (Figure 2 shows the new My Account page.)
2.	Easy-to-find publications archive. Readers can easily find content from any network publication by clicking the Publications Archive tab at the top of the home page. (Figure 3 shows the Publication Archive page)
3.	Improved article pages. The article page design displays links to relevant information at the top of each article, including links to other articles in a series, sidebars, code, and corrections.
4.	Better search results organization. Readers now get search results in a format that lets them tab through different types of content--articles, news, discussion forums, and FAQs. (Figure 4 shows the tabbed search results.)
5.	Better advanced search functionality. The advanced search page lets users search by keyword across the network, by publication, by date, and by field. Users can also use the advanced search page to search the code listing library by keyword, publication, date, or author.
6.	Free content. The new design features three levels of content: subscriber-only content, free content that users can access by filling out a simple registration form, and free content that is available to the public without registration.
7.	Simplified topic list. We've broken the article topic list into a hierarchical structure that lets readers browse by broad subject matter or drill down into specific topic areas.
8.	Spotlight on authors. The authors who readers depend on to help them do their jobs are now more visible on the new Web site. Author photos will be more prominent and readers will easily be able to find authors' bios.
9.	Consistent look and feel. Readers will notice a consistent (and more colorful) look and feel across the network because we've brought the SQL Server Magazine site into the Windows & .NET Magazine Network.