>From Jack Vanderwhite on COMP.SYS.CBM:

Rather than reply to all the messages asking about DIEHARD I will tell
all what has been happening over the last few days. 

Brian Crosthwaite, Publisher of Diehard, contacted CMD, Loadstar, and
Commodore CEE this week with the following form letter faxed to each of
us:
-----------

Diehard, the Flyer for commodore 8bitters is planning to cease publication
and we are looking to transfer our subscription fulfillment. Our number of
outstanding subscribers is approximately 8,400 and I would be willing to
throw in the balance of the list, totaling approximately 12,000.
   
Please call me at (xxx)xxx-xxxx if you are interested in acquiring these
readers and names.
  
Sincerely, 

Brian L. Crosthwaite
Publisher

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Each of us did contact Brian for further details. They are bleak. The
total number of paper issues due to subscribers is approximately 64,000.
This does not count the approximately 1,200 spinner subscribers which
would make approximately 10,000 disks due. 
  
The cost of publishing alone would amount to approximately $100,000 for
printing, layout, disks, ,mail cost, etc. Not taking into account the
cost of articles, etc.
  
when asked about money Brian's only comment was "There is none. It's gone."

a further complication is that Tom Netsel told me last week that General
Media says that Brian has assumed the obligation to deliver the balance of
the Gazette subscriptions. I questioned Brian about this. Brian says that
general media faxed him the terms of transference of the obligation and
that he faxed back an acceptance of the terms. While I have not seen the
actual faxes involved it does sound like offer and acceptance of a binding 
contract from here.

Obviously, all of us have rejected this offer. I have been told that there
is an issue of Diehard at the printers, probably printed. However, the 
printing bill alone is over $8,000 plus the cost of mailing. Since there is
no money it sits there.
   
If anyone where willing to assume the total obligations they would have to
assume a liability of well over $100,000 over the next year before any 
returns from renewals would even make a dent in this huge obligation.
 
Please Note: I am putting this out as a public message. This is ALL I know.
Please do not come back at me asking questions. I have nothing more I can
add to this.   

Jack VW