In the January/February 2006 issue of Computerized Investing, I wrote my first Editor’s Outlook. John Bajkowski had just turned the CI reins over to me, entrusting me with the publication he had shepherded for nearly 13 years. Over the last (almost) 10 years, CI has undergone some significant changes. It first shifted to a quarterly publication from a bimonthly schedule, and then it moved to a monthly digital service. Along the way, we have also redesigned the CI website and added a number of new features, such as Technically Speaking, Spreadsheet Corner, and Gadget Corner. There is now the CI Blog and the Market Dashboard. We are in the process of redeveloping our Tracking the Tech Sector column and, as always, are on the lookout for compelling topics in the realm of technology assisted investing to help our readers become more effective managers of their own investments.

To paraphrase, “an editor’s work is never done.” But with this, my 57th Editor’s Outlook, this editor’s work is done—or at least it is finished as far as overseeing Computerized Investing is concerned. John Bajkowski, now as president of AAII, has tapped me to oversee the content strategy of AAII. So, therefore, I pass the CI baton to Jaclyn McClellan. Jackie, as she prefers to be called, has been with AAII for three years, starting first as an intern and then joining us on a full-time basis last year. She has written extensively for CI since joining AAII, including the Spreadsheet Corner articles such as the one she authors this month. She also oversees AAII’s Dividend Investing newsletter and the Quarterly Mutual Fund Update. I am looking forward to seeing what new ideas she brings to CI. I know I am leaving you, the readers, in very capable hands.

Best of the Web

This month we offer an update to our Best of the Web segment by highlighting nine sites that offer the best collections of news and analysis for individual companies, sectors and industries, as well as the U.S. and global economies. While these are the sites we deem to be on the top of the heap, any “best of” list is somewhat subjective. We are interested in hearing your feedback about the sites you use for these different categories.

Spreadsheet Corner

Lastly, Jaclyn McClellan offers a thoughtful analysis of some of the top spreadsheet alternatives to Microsoft’s Excel program. In her many Spreadsheet Corner articles, Jackie uses Excel as her analysis platform. However, for many, Excel is either too expensive or is too much program for what they are trying to do. Jackie’s article covers both desktop and cloud-based alternatives to Excel.