View source for Atomic (magazine)

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox magazine
| image_file = File:Atomic_Maximum_Power_Computing_February_2003_Issue_25_Cover.jpg
| image_size = 
| image_caption = February 2003 cover
| editor = David Hollingworth
| editor_title = Editor
| previous_editor = 
| staff_writer = 
| frequency = Monthly
| circulation = 29,948
| category = [[Computer magazine]]
| company = [[Future plc|Future Australia]] 
| publisher = 
| firstdate = 2001
| lastdate = 2012
| finalnumber = 143
| country = [[Australia]]
| based = [[Beaconsfield]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| website = {{URL|https://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/}}
| issn = 1444-8998
| oclc = 223077363
}}
'''''Atomic''''' (or ''Atomic MPC'') was a monthly [[Australia]]n magazine and [[online community]] that focused on [[computing]] and [[technology]], with a great emphasis on [[video games|gaming]], [[modding]] and [[computer hardware]]. ''Atomic'' was marketed at technology enthusiasts and covered topics that were not normally found in mainstream PC publications, including video card and [[CPU]] [[overclocking]], [[Windows registry]] tweaking, and [[Computer programming|programming]]. The magazine's strapline was 'Maximum Power Computing', reflecting the broad nature of its technology content.

In November 2012 publisher [[Haymarket Media Group]] announced that Atomic would close and be merged into sister monthly title ''PC & Tech Authority'' (beginning with the February 2013 issue of PCTA), although the Atomic [[Internet forum|online forums]] would continue to exist in their own right and under the Atomic brand.<ref>Atomic forums, 8/11/12 [http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=52098 "What of Atomic?"]</ref>

In 2018, [[nextmedia]], the successor of Haymarket Australia sold its computing assets to Future. ''PC & Tech Authority'' print content was absorbed into [[APC (magazine)|APC]] and online content was absorbed into [[TechRadar]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/pc-and-tech-authority|title=PC & Tech Authority|website=TechRadar|language=en|access-date=2018-12-21}}</ref> but the Atomic forums remained available until 11 June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/topic/60053-did-something-just-happen/|title=Did something just happen?|website=Atomic πi|language=en-AU|access-date=2018-12-21|archive-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221182514/https://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/topic/60053-did-something-just-happen/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
With a small team of writers led by magazine founder and ex-editor Ben Mansill, who is also the founder of the magazine's only competitor, ''[[PC PowerPlay]]'', the first issue of ''Atomic'' was published in February 2001. This team consisted of John Gillooly, Bennett Ring, Tim Dean and Daniel Rutter. Gillooly and Ring later left the magazine.

''Atomic'' was originally published by AJB Publishing, but in July 2004 AJB was acquired by UK publisher [[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Media]].<ref>[http://www.ppa.co.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/news/article.html?uid=8723 Haymarket acquires AJB Publishing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923174234/http://www.ppa.co.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/news/article.html?uid=8723 |date=23 September 2006 }}, Periodical Publishers Association, 2004</ref> The magazine was edited in 2005 and 2006 by Ashton Mills, who in the past has contributed to ''[[PC Authority]]'', ''Atomic's'' sister publication. In 2006, Logan Booker took over as editor. In April 2005, ''Atomic'' reached the milestone of 50 issues, and the January 2006 issue celebrated its fifth birthday. Logan Booker announced at the end of August 2007 he would be stepping down, issue 81 being his last as editor.<ref>[http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=112599 Logan Booker announcing he is stepping down as editor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910164454/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=112599 |date=10 September 2007 }}, Atomic forums</ref> In October 2007, David Hollingworth became the new editor of the magazine.<ref>[http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=114300 David Hollingworth announced as new editor of the magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902184255/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1 |date=2 September 2007 }}, Atomic forums</ref>

Ben Mansill announced in October 2007 that he would be leaving Haymarket Media to pursue other interests in the publishing industry.<ref>[http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=114527 Ben Mansill announces he is leaving Haymarket Media to pursue other opportunities in the publishing Industry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019004255/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=114527 |date=19 October 2007 }}, Atomic forums</ref>

''Atomic'' celebrated then release of its 100th issue on April 8, 2009. In late 2012 the magazine merged with ''PC & Tech Authority''. In 2013, [[nextmedia]] acquired Haymarket Australia which effectively made ''PC & Tech Authority'' a sister title to ''PC PowerPlay''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Haymarket sells off titles to Nextmedia, local future uncertain|url=http://www.adnews.com.au/adnews/haymarket-sells-off-titles-to-nextmedia-local-future-uncertain|access-date=1 February 2017|work=Adweek|date=29 November 2013}}</ref>

==The ''Atomic'' site and forums==
''Atomic's'' online forums were launched on the same day as the magazine. They had various PC gaming and technology sections, as well as a general chat area known as the "Green Room". As of January 2006, approximately 3,600,000 posts had been made across the forums' twenty-one sections. An active community section organises 'meets' and other events regularly.

Readers and subscribers to the magazine, as well as members of the online Atomic community were colloquially referred to as Atomicans.<ref>''The Atomican Geek Checklist'', http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=96293&h= {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175535/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=96293&h= |date=27 September 2007 }}, Atomic forums</ref>

In mid-2005, the site was revamped to include regular content, both unique to the site and taken from the magazine, including daily reviews and news.

Moderation was employed to ensure that illegal or distasteful content was not posted.<ref>''Forums FAQ'', {{cite web|url=http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forumfaq.asp |title=Atomic v2.5 |access-date=2006-11-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103035458/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forumfaq.asp |archive-date=3 November 2006 }}, Atomic website, retrieved 12 January 2007</ref>

The forums were finally shut down in the 11th of June, 2020. It was totally offline on 24 June.

==Events==
At the end of 2005 ''Atomic'' hosted "''Atomic'' Live", a PC gaming and technology expo in Sydney, Australia.<ref>Atomic ''Live 2005 photo gallery'', http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/atomiclive-gallery.asp {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111043207/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/atomiclive-gallery.asp |date=11 January 2007 }}, Atomic website</ref> The event culminated in the evening with a presentation of industry awards and a celebration of the magazine's 5th birthday.

Although a subsequent ''Atomic'' Live was announced in early 2006, it was postponed due to key product launch delays in the PC and gaming industry.<ref>Atomic ''Live postponed'', http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/article.asp?CIID=60469 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007103643/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/article.asp?CIID=60469 |date=7 October 2006 }}, Atomic website</ref>

Between 2010 and 2011 Atomic MPC hosted events across Australia including the 2010 Power to the PC Tour, Atomic Unlocked 2010, Revolver Sydney 2011 and Revolver Melbourne 2011.

On 12 November 2011, ''Atomic'' and [[Monash University]]’s Faculty of Information Technology presented AtomicCon 2011 at the university's [[Caulfield, Victoria|Caulfield]] campus for technology and gaming enthusiasts.<ref>''AtomicCon 2011'', http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/atomiccon/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616091056/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/atomiccon/ |date=16 June 2012 }}, Atomic Website</ref> The event included presentations by Australian game publishers and suppliers of information technology equipment, and participants were able to play recently released games.<ref>''Monash University: AtomicCon 2011'', http://www.monash.edu.au/news/events/show/atomiccon, Monash University Website</ref>

==Atomic charity==
Since inception, ''Atomic'' and the community focussed on raising money for charity, usually the [[Multiple Sclerosis]] Society, chosen because of moderator and unofficial community organiser 'Gramyre' (Allison Reynolds) having the disease.<ref>The Atomic Live charity auction'', http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/article.asp?CIID=26388 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202120646/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/article.asp?CIID=26388 |date=2 February 2007 }}, Atomic website, retrieved 12 January 2007</ref> This was achieved via auctions of various items, and a community member 'Nodnerb' (Brendon Walker) once sang ''[[I'm a Little Teapot]]'' while wearing a [[ballet tutu]] on national television for charity.<ref>''Noddy will do Pitt Street, Teapots while wearing a TUTU for CASH!'', http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=53315&h= {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175807/http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=53315&h= |date=27 September 2007 }}, Atomic forums</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3UsAEpznU&list=PLInPGjLiJukbm69CTLK_lo0UuUALL_aYq |title=Noddy does the Teapot in Tutu 2 |date=2006-12-26 |last=Wilkshake |access-date=2025-06-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/ ''Atomic'']
*[https://archive.org/search.php?query=Atomic%20magazine&and%5B%5D=mediatype%3A%22texts%22&and%5B%5D=creator%3A%22ajb+publishing%22 Archived Atomic magazines] on the [[Internet Archive]]

{{Future plc}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atomic (Magazine)}}
[[Category:Future plc]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:2012 disestablishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Computer magazines published in Australia]]
[[Category:Defunct computer magazines]]
[[Category:Defunct magazines published in Australia]]
[[Category:Home computer magazines]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 2001]]
[[Category:Magazines disestablished in 2012]]
[[Category:Monthly magazines published in Australia]]
[[Category:Video game magazines published in Australia]]