Charlie Matco

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By far his most famous pen name, "Charlie Matco" was the alter ego of the late Terry Shannon, which he first used while he wrote the "Rumor Roundup" feature for the periodical Digital Review between 1985 and 1988.

Under the "Charlie Matco" byline, Terry Shannon would combine his humorous writing style with erudite and timely prognostications about IT industry trends, product releases, and major business transactions, often well in advance of the public release of such information. This information was obtained as a result of Mr. Shannon's vast network of friends and colleagues in the IT industry, who were often rewarded for their information by being sent a "Charlie Matco" coffee mug.

"Charlie Matco" was usually depicted as a cartoonish, "private eye" sort of figure, after the fashion of Nick Danger, but without any facial features (i.e., just a fedora and trenchcoat). That logo, which appeared next to the "Charlie Matco" byline on every "Rumor Roundup" article, was also depicted on the coffee mug.

The original "Charlie Matco" coffee mugs are now highly prized collectors items.

Few know that the signature of "Charlie" on the mug (and the column) is none other than that of Debra MacDonald, the then-managing editor of Digital Review.