Peter thinks the solution is to raise the dues and keep printing the hard copies. I agree. Peter uses the Texas Caver as a resource - so long term access is important. We have all of the Texas Cavers dating back to 1961 on our book shelves. Computers, programs, online data storage systems crash, become outdated and change a lot, but data stored in the bookcase is stable and reliable. The last thing we want is to look up one day and realize that we have lost this source of information on explored caves.
The prospect of having trip reports available online to non-members (or to any large group of people in digital format) scares the hell out of me. Most times, people on a caving trip have absolutely no control over what is written about them in a trip report. I would not like for anything that I write about in a trip report to be easily forwarded to or accessible by the general public, employers, clients, etc. . . . I don't want to gratuitously offer any more info on anybody. The internet is grabby enough. Do we really want to feed that monster? Gezus --- On Thu, 1/15/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: > From: [email protected] <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Texascavers] The TEXAS CAVER Is Now Online!!!! > To: [email protected], [email protected] > Date: Thursday, January 15, 2009, 7:32 PM > Where in the great beard of Oztotl did you all come up with > a cost of $26 per member per copy of the Texas Caver ??? > Is that supposed to be total cost per year per member ??? > > Jerry. > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > To: TexasCavers <[email protected]> > Sent: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 1:08 pm > Subject: [Texascavers] The TEXAS CAVER Is Now Online!!!! > > > > > To all PAID TSA members, > > > > > > > > It was decided this past weekend at the Winter Business > Meeting at CBSP that in order to forestall an increase in > TSA member fees, due mainly to the cost of printing the TC, > we would like to offer PAID members the option of accessing > The TEXAS CAVER electronically. > > > > Since the bulk of the TSA budget involves printing the TC, > the current $20 membership fee is insufficient to cover the > cost of printing and mailing the TC, calculated at $26 per > member/copy. > > > > > > Do the math! > > > > > > We did not think this was the best use of membership monies > and our cash reserves would soon be depleted at this rate. > > > > > > This where you come in. > > > > > > Through the technical wizardry of our webmaster > extraordinaire, Butch Fralia, PAID TSA members can now sign > themselves up to view the latest TC online, each and every > time! > > > > But, that’s not all! > > > > > > “What else do I get by doing this and why should I > bother?!” > > > > > > Here’s why: > > > > C2 > > · It will prevent > a membership dues increase, hopefully, for quite a long > time. In these tough economic times, who wants that?! > > > > · This will free > up a HUGE amount of TSA funds that can be better utilized on > projects, other activities, equipment, and other more > > worthwhile > pursuits. > > > > · You will have > helped get the TSA “Back in Black”, hopefully, to stay. > > > > · You will be able > to view and download the latest TC in glorious FULL color, > not just the cover in color in the mailed version. > > > > · You will be able > to view and download past issues of the TC in glorious FULL > color, not just the cover in color mailed version. All of > > the 2008 issues > are already online and past issues that moi has been the > Editor of will soon be added. Any back issues we can get > our > > =C > 2 grubby hands on > will be added, as well! > > > > · That > tree-hugging part of you will rest peacefully in knowing > that you have helped preserve many a conifer by opting for > the electronic > > version over the > paper version. > > > > · And no matter > where you may roam, you will have access to the good ol' > TC and the frustrated Editor and Secretary will not have to > > deal with the > dreaded “Return To Sender/Addressee Not Found”. > > > > > > Not to mention that it just makes good financial sense. > > > > > > All new registrations will be listed as pending, initially, > while your membership is verified before you will have > membership access. > > > > Butch has added Darla and Denise as administrators and they > will verify that you are a “Member in Good Standing” and > will check this periodically. You will be notified if your > dues are about to expire and will be unceremoniously kicked > off if your dues are not renewed. > > > > In other words, “No TC for you!” (Seinfeld reference > ). > > > > The member area is linked in from the main menu at > www.cavetexas.org. Be sure to buy one or five ICS > Registration Raffle tickets, while you're there! > > > > If we could get just 50% participation in the electronic > version program, one would be hard-pressed to find any red > ink in next year's budget. The more the better, though. > > > > > > However, please do not share your password info with the > unwashed TSA non-member! > > > > > > If they would like to receive the TC, encourage them to do > the right and just thing by being a true American and > joining the TSA! > > > > > > In closing, the Board and I implore, beseech, beg, > encourage, and strongly suggest you sign up today! > > > > > > Put the word out to your Grotto and to other cavers! > > > > > > Help the TSA and help save a tree! > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Mark Alman and the TSA Board --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
