Sky and Space Magazine

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

WOW. Have I hit a sore nerve or what?

I honestly didn't expect this many replies to my original post.

I was in Sydney today 9th June, and visited a good newsagent, still no issue of S&S.
I bought AS & T instead. It was a good read on the flight back to Brisbane.

To be honest, what use is a May/June edition of what is happening in the astronomy circle that doesn't appear on time? To me is is a total waste of money, it's like buying a month old newspaper.

I think we should end this thread, it has only served to get people annoyed again, and has obviously done no good, we have not heard from S&S.

Mike

[h0ughy (David)]

your ok mike, just don't mention the war !!!!!(aka fawlty towers )

[Moonman (Michael)]

In the past they have actually skipped and issue and gone straight to the period in which it is issued so if there is a holdup we may see a June/July or July/August Issue. Who knows because they will never respond if asked so this will always be speculation untill it happens.

Kind regards and best wishes to all at Sky and Space.

[beren]

looks like your right Michael on their site in the subscription section they have July /august as next issue

http://www.skyandspace.com.au/cache/....html?cache=no

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I'm not rushing to fill in the 3 year subscription.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

I'm not rushing to fill in the 3 year subscription.

why not ROD? What more could you do but play a guessing game, what month will I receive my mag. 36 months for 18 issues. that could mean 6 years before you get them allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllll

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Houghy, I guess a three year subscription could be looked upon as a Life Subscription?!

[jdb]

Dear Astronomy Enthusiast

INTRODUCTION
The ‘New’ SKY & SPACE Magazine has certainly come a
long way since the re-launch of our publication. We
are now in the process of moving to the magazine’s
next big stage of development.

FORTHCOMING ISSUE
We currently have a 'New' SKY & SPACE Magazine in
production and this issue will be released early
July. In due course, full details of all future
publishing dates will be announced.

Our last issue was Mar/Apr 05. Subscribers have had
their subscription period extended to make up for
the missing May/Jun issue.

OVERVIEW OF EXPANSION PLANS
The Company has recently been restructured with a
new equity partner.

Additional funding is being arranged to carry out
activities such as: the acquisition of new graphic
design equipment, new systems and procedures for a
more-efficient magazine production, newsstand
distribution into key overseas markets, the
refurbishment and restocking of our retail shop, the
launch of the ‘SKY & SPACE News Update Email
Service’ together with various new services and
initiatives that will soon be announced.

OUR THANKS TO EVERYONE
We thank all our supporters – friends, staff, editors,
writers, astrophotographers, advertisers, readers,
subscribers, suppliers, the media and many other
people who have all expressed a keen determination
to see that a 100% locally-produced, high-quality
magazine continues to provide a much-needed service
for the Australian & New Zealand astronomical and
space science communities.

If you wish to forward this announcement to any
other people then please feel free to do so.

*********************************** ****
FULL DETAILS OF OUR PLANS CAN
BE SEEN IN THE ATTACHED PDF
*********************************** ****
Clear Southern Skies

The 'New' SKY & SPACE team

[Rodstar (Rod)]

JDB, I find your "reply" entirely unsatisfactory. I respectfully suggest that you re-read this thread, and actually respond to the issues raised. No amount of puffery about a restructure addresses the abject failure to provide what you are contracted to provide.

[mick pinner]

l was under the impression ( maybe misguided ) that this restructuring was done when the new staff took over from the old regime, why does reorganizing the distribution procedures stop the publication of the very thing you want to distribute? The magazine is surely at the heart of the whole operation and with the lack of astronomical publications generally, one would think that keeping the existing readers happy would be paramount not to mention those of us that subscribe and spend our money in advance.

[mick pinner]

ps. l agree 100% Rod.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Rodstar Said

JDB, I find your "reply" entirely unsatisfactory.

I have to agree. There's no excuse for not answering emails.

[astroron (Ron)]

As I have said in one of my other posts they have been coming out with the same old excuses for the last 18 years, every excuse in the book has been given, I will only believe what they say when the put more than two issues out ontime, (pigs might fly)
astroron

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

What a cheery condescending post by S&S, it's as if nothing is wrong, so perhaps they haven't taken in what has been expressed here, or don't care about us.

Perhaps it would be prudent to inform subscribers, that delays in publications will occur, "BEFOREHAND", giving an explaination and telling us that we won't lose any issues.
An apology certainly wouldn't go amiss, even if too late. I didn't see one in the "post".

Mike

[castor]

Although I am not a subscriber to S&S, I regularly buy this magazine off the shelf.

Over the last few years since I have been involved in this hobby, S&S should be congratulated for including a considerable number of interesting, insightful, and informative articles.

However, in my experience, the tardiness of publication and the number of issues that seems to have gone missing has remained an issue that has yet to be addressed. When this magazine was published once every two months, it usually did not go on sale until the middle of the second month for which it was to have been issued.

Since "new management" took over this magazine there have been some very good expanded editions and even the odd time where the publication was released on schedule. However, missing an issue has happened regularly. This is not the first time. AS&T this year has come out spotlessly on time and if S&S even hopes to compete with them on a par, much improvement in their publication administration is warranted.

Australia needs an astronomy magazine that is independently published by Australians with relevant material, and one that is released on a REGULAR BASIS. Canada and Britain have both been able to achieve this. I thought that your change in management was meant as one of its goals to fix up this issue, and you clearly seem to have failed utterly.

**collapses into a black hole**

[xstream (John)]

I don't believe it........How long can they keep fobbing everything off with the same old story? As Ron said after 18 years it's starting to wear thin.
As far as I'm concerned they no longer have any credibility at all.
Maybe this could be a challenge for AS&T and make their Aus. Mag 100% Australian content, the opportunity is there for the taking.

[Brendan]

I have to agree with rod, the reply in this post certainly by its self dose not address the issues raised . How ever i did read the attached pdf.

it addressed some issues but i wonder if its a case of running befor walking?

changes made to improve readability

[h0ughy (David)]

Yes I have heard most of the reasons given many times before. I have every issue, and most of the other quarterly mag as well, but I must say, as a business you need to get the product out there, and if you have'nt got enought then bung it in the next issue, but send it out on time regardless. Why you could even call the leftout articles, new bumper edition special features for the next issue. But just do it. I am ashamed to say that they have lost my support as they have not proven that they can stay in the race. I agree with Rod on every point.

[rmcpb (Rob)]

I don't even look for this mag any more and if I see it I don't think I would bother buying it. The only effect of that is to draw out the pain, if we don't support it at all at least we all know where we stand. Sky & Telescope is at least regular. RIP Sky & Space.

[mick pinner]

l wonder what the buisnesses who advertise in S & S think about all this, surely they pay in advance.