''TechLife'' (formerly ''PC User'') was an Australian general

computer magazine Computer magazines are about computers and related subjects, such as networking and the Internet. Most computer magazines offer (or offered) advice, some offer programming tutorials, reviews of the latest technologies, and advertisements. ...

, published monthly by Future Australia. The magazine's regular content consisted of computer hardware and software reviews and previews, technology news and opinion articles, technical how-to guides, and a 'help station' feature where the magazine's contributors provide answers to technical queries from readers. Each issue includes a companion DVD of free full-version software, trial software, game demos and video tutorials, many of which complement articles in the magazine. The magazine also includes software created by contributing writers, including two customised versions of

Linux Linux ( ) is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an kernel (operating system), operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically package manager, pac ...

– 'UserOS Ultra', based on Xubuntu 7.10 and aimed at older computers; and 'PCUserOS Extreme', based on the

Ubuntu Ubuntu ( ) is a Linux distribution based on Debian and composed primarily of free and open-source software. Developed by the British company Canonical (company), Canonical and a community of contributors under a Meritocracy, meritocratic gover ...

8.04 'Hardy Heron' and designed for use on more recent computer hardware. Notable Australian IT journalists who have regularly contributed to the magazine include Rose Vines, Helen Bradley, Darren Yates, Philip Moore, Link Harris, David Flynn, Roulla Yiacoumi, Alex Kidman and Angus Kidman.

History

''PC User'' was first published in 1990 and is Australia's best selling computer magazine, with a monthly circulation of 31,062 as at July–December 2011. In 2009 a "NetGuide" section was added after the cessation of publication of '' Australian NetGuide''. In January 2010, ''PC User'' celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special anniversary issue. Long-time editor Glenn Rees (who edited the title from 1992 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2012) left the magazine in February 2012 as part of a restructure of the Australian Consolidated Press tech magazines including the ''PC User'' sister publication '' APC''. The current editor-in-chief of ''PC User'' is Tony Sarno, who is also editor-in-chief of APC. In June 2012, ''PC User'' was rebranded and relaunched as ''TechLife'' "to address a lack of innovation in the consumer technology publication space" according to the publisher, as well as more clearly delineating the difference between the more mainstream ''PC User'' and ''APC'', which is aimed at professionals and "power users". ''TechLife'' will be available in print and tablet editions and cover a broader spectrum than ''PC User'', offering editorial on the application of technology to all consumer lifestyle activities, from fitness to entertainment. In August 2013, ''TechLife'' and ''APC'' were sold by

Bauer Media Group Heinrich Bauer Publishing (), trade name, trading as Bauer Media Group, is a German multimedia conglomerate headquartered in Hamburg. It operates worldwide and owns more than 600 magazines, over 400 digital products and 50 radio and TV stations, ...

to Future. In May 2022, ''TechLife'' was absorbed into ''APC'', the magazine ceased publication after the August 2022 issue.

References

External links

* {{Future plc Future plc 1990 establishments in Australia ACP magazine titles Computer magazines published in Australia Magazines established in 1990 Magazines published in Sydney Monthly magazines published in Australia Magazines disestablished in 2022 Defunct magazines published in Australia 2022 disestablishments in Australia Defunct computer magazines