Ed and others have raised some interesting points. There are a few other points that I'd like to suggest for consideration:
1) one aspect of the paper magazine venue that has not been mentioned is that subscriptions (assuming there are some) generate a revenue stream that pays for a PROFESSIONAL to spend WORK time on the effort. Sure we all spend time helping others usually gratis -- but that cuts into our hobby time (unless we are retired and have lots of free time :-) ). And their are some who write articles, contribute photos, etc. gratis. But to expect someone to do this -- produce high quality magazines or web sites or ... for free using their hobby time is I think an unreasonable expectation. And web hosting expense (~$10/month) is such a small number these days that from my perspective it's the least significant piece. 2) Two other key aspects of the magazine venue are depth and quality. Web sites can also have these, but many (most?) these days don't. One more web site of links or uncaptioned photos or or lists is less and less appealing. And both of these aspects (depth & quality) require skilled folks (both in content and other skills such as editing) considerable time investment to achieve. Also if you think back onto quality magazines, much of their content is timeless, while on on many web sites, it's just the reverse. None of this is meant to imply that web sites can't exist at the same quality level as a quality magazine. But if you do, then the only portion of the cost & effort that has been save is printing and mailing. And I still think that many would prefer to pay for that instead of sitting in front of a computer. To me quality & depth are further impetus for compensation of some sort (other than the intangible visibility and fame) to those who do the work. 3) Where do people read? While many of us do spend time in front of a computer, I find many S modelers do not. And many would choose to spend a lot less time than they do. More time modeling! Several years ago I reduced my magazine subscriptions from a large number to a very few who do it very well. I don't really care how often they arrive -- I care more about depth and quality of the materials. And most of those I read cover to cover eventually. And I almost never read them is a setting where there is a computer -- in fact just the reverse -- anywhere there is not a computer so I can get away from it :-) I do get one non-model railroad publication in electronic form, and each month when it arrives I'm faced with one question -- do I hit print or file since I never read it online. Even though I have a reasonable color printer for printing, the quality is never as good as a printed magazine...nor as convenient as a magazine...and of course if I hit file, it is likely never read at all... Just a few thoughts... Michael At 2/14/2008 12:07 PM, Edward Loizeaux wrote: >Posted by: "Alex Binkley" >An editor should only have to read the exchanges on this list to have a >countless supply of story ideas. > >Alex.....Ya just hit the nail on the head -- this list is our S scale >magazine. There is no other publication -- electronic or paper -- that >comes close to matching the content right here. As John Degnan said, it is >time to creep out of our caves and do something with the newer technology. >Perhaps an upgrade to this list to somehow have a more organized and >structured format. Regular columns, layout photos, construction articles, >etc. That will take time and will need a volunteer -- of which there are >few -- although Michael Eldridge spoke of something similar not long ago. >But it is a lot easier and cheaper than starting up a new cellulose-based >publication. Not too mention saving trees and reducing global warming. The >bigger problem is how to let others know about this list. Perhaps an >advertising/marketing guy could lend his talents here and tell us how to >accomplish this. Posting on other lists, small ads in print publications, >direct mail to NMRA members, etc. are possibilities to be explored. Then >the big question: How to charge for it? Or should it be free? > >Just some more ideas for others to do. I gotta go write an article today. > >Cheers...Ed L. > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Greene Dunstable, MA, USA Member: NMRA(Life), NASG, Bristol S Gaugers, The 470 Railroad Club National Assoc. of S Gaugers http://www.nasg.org DCC Corner http://www.dccinfo.com Maine Railroads http://www.mainerailroads.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
