So, how do you folks like the newest incarnation of The Tech Talk?

I have to say, it's hard to hide my personal excitement about this little redesign project and its relatively painless changes.

They say old habits die hard, and journalists apply that zealously to the way a newspaper looks.

The proverbial "they" say a lot to keep things comfortable, don't they?

Louisiana Tech is better than compromising. It's better than not fulfilling the potential it holds.

This paper was once "The L.I.I. Spizzerinktum," back in 1920. Imagine how it would feel today if that had never changed.

The point is I just got sick of looking at that sketch of the clock tower in the old front page logo, the header we journalistic types call our "flag."

Not to sound like an awards speech, but this wouldn't have worked if one lone dude tried to change things.

Special thanks go first and foremost to my partner in redesign. Julie Miller of Shreveport, The Lagniappe and New-York-magazine-internship fame, is a firecracker of a girl. You guys should be happy she is on my editorial team here at The Tech Talk.

I also give credit to John Patrick Adams, photography student extraordinaire and graphics editor for The Tech Talk, who took the opportunity to overwork himself by taking part.

Also, I'd like to thank Production Manager Rita Pepper for her invaluable expertise, discerning eye for seamless design and her patient confidence in our ideas. The support you showed to our creativity is appreciated.

Thanks to The Tech Talk editorial staff for making things simple and smooth for me in my first week as their chief. You guys made it possible for me to tie up innumerable loose ends.

Thanks to the paper's staff writers for their understanding and intelligent input about what felt good and didn't while we were putting finishing touches on the redesign.

I can see the urge to change things in some of their eyes, as well.

This time, a guy who has done every rough job the paper has to offer, including delivering it, chose to lead the way.

More will change; that much is a certainty. What might be is all that remains unknown.

In the years after every student who reads this graduates, what will be remembered about The Tech Talk?

Will it be the stories, pictures, headlines and cutlines that make up our paper every Thursday publication day during the academic year?

I think not. When we look back, we reach out to grasp the feel of the paper as a whole, its anima.

But, enough waxing philosophical; I hope you like it, because times are changing. If I may borrow a clichŽ, so should we.

Nick Todaro is a senior journalism major from Shreveport and serves as editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to nst005@latech.edu.