Quote:
Originally Posted by matt
Tell us more. What sort of content do you envisage as 'relevant to us'?
How often would it come out?
Etc etc
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I hate hard copy. Ends up as landfill or loaded in cardboard boxes; dead technology, ecologically unsustainable and slow.... the top reasons I DONT subscribe to hardcopy magazines. I'd far rather have a high quality PDF sent to me on a regular basis with a decent indexing system.
Cost to produce compared to a hardcopy version?, negligible, cost to distribute, even less. Subscriptions? Advertising? Maybe pay a few people to coordinate production, report on specific events etc.
Distribution could occur on a regular, (ie weekly/fortnightly/monthly), basis with access to alert systems for a variety of purposes, nova for example. Would not need much money to finance I suspect.
Coordination would be the key. I'd suggest a free cut down version widely distributed with extras available by subscription. Hell, just thinking about the options/opportunities makes my head buzz.
What would go in it? Content from a world wide audience of amateurs and professionals with regular contributors from "experts". Major manufacturers could be invited to promote/demonstrate their wares for example.
The content could be as specific or broad as desired and anyone could submit copy. If contributors were given specific guideline for submissions, the compilation/distribution process could become relatively easy.
What content "would be relevant to us"? Anything you like. The universe is not divided into hemispheres but the observing targets are, to a point anyhow.
A Southern Hemisphere approach may actually include an increased focus on targets from the Southern Hemisphere.... LMC, SMC etc etc.
Having seen M31 from the Nevada desert, I understand why its a focus for Northern latitude amateurs. Alas, from here, its almost invisible. The LMC, on the other hand, is not invisible and, IMHO, is massively more interesting from an amateurs point of view. I would appreciate more focus on this object for example. (a magazine in itself I suspect)
I'd love to see this happen but it takes effort, and I suspect utilising an existing membership base of 6000+ through sites like IIS, would be a great way to get credibility... yes? I for one would subscribe as fast as I could type in my debit card details!!!
Lets see, for arguement sake, $50 p.a. x 6000, plus advertising revenue... phew!! oh, and thats only based on the IIS membership. Worldwide?
Note, you are not reading hardcopy at the moment are you? I spend most of my reading time online as it is. Would be nice to see it more concentrated....
I would like to know what other members, and the IIS administrators, think of the idea... Hey folks... run a POLL!!
anyone listening?
