Sky and Space Magazine

[rowena]

at least we got a response!....

did anyone read the attached PDF?? some interesting bits in there...
i.e.couldnt access design equipment due to fire/flooding...

[astroron (Ron)]

Rowena as I have said they have used every excuse in the book over the last 18 years. astroron

[jdb]

Thanks R...!The next issue will be available soon (in the mail to subscribers)...

Could everyone who has expressed a concern here pm me their details and I will endeavour to look into it for you.

Cheers and clear skies,
jdb.

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

I think, the problem is money.

In order to put items into the magazine, they have to pay royalties to the writers, so to keep costs down they miss an issue or two or three per year.
Maybe there are not enough advertisers to pay the wages of the staff and the royalties. maybe the cost of advertising is too low.
Normaly ads cover all the costs of production and make the profits.

Will we see an issue with nothing but adverts in it?

This mag needs an enema of biblical proportions to make it viable.

Mike

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

Maybe the wages of the staff are way too high!
Mike

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

jdb has come back and posted again after reading the rest of the posts (even including the mention of no apology)

and still he hasn't use the 'S' word or the 'A' word.

'Sorry' or We 'Apologise' for any inconvenience.

That is tasteless to me (especially after it was mentioned there was no apology). I won't be buying their rag!! Goodbye S&S.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by jdb

Thanks R...!The next issue will be available soon (in the mail to subscribers)...

Cheers and clear skies,
jdb.

jdb

As Ron said, you,ve been saying that for 18 years. You indicate the next issue will be released in early July, I'll bet its not.

I have been buying this magazine whenever it is available, which recently has been very irregularly, off the newstsands since 1991. I have by choice not subscribed to the magazine for the simple reason you have no idea when the next issue is going to be available.

Someone else asked the question what do the magazines advertisers think ? Let me tell you from speaking to a lot of them, they are suitably unimpressed.

Aust Sky and Telescope may not be 100% local content but at least its produced on a regular timely basis, which is what advertisers and readers and subscribers want. I can see Aus Sky and Tel's circulation growing at a rapid rate and also the % of local contribution increasing and also the support of local advertisers as at least suppliers ads get into readers hands.

Please note that my criticism is in no way directed at the quality of the magazine. I think its a great magazine with excellent content. I wouldn't have continued to buy it for 14 years if it wasn't a great product. My criticism is solely related to the spasmodic and untimely publication of the magazine.

IMO its move over Sky and Space, Aus Sky and Tel is coming through, unless you people pull your finger out and pull it out very quickly.

CS-John B

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

Aust Sky and Space may not be 100% local content but at least its produced on a regular timely basis,

CS-John B

Oops! I think you meant to say Aust Sky & Telescope.

[jdb]

Thanks ausastronomer,

You'll be delighted to know that the next issue should be available this week.

As always, we appreciate all your comments.

jdb.

[xstream (John)]

I don't believe the gall of jdb, still nothing.
I wouldn't care if it was the last astronomy mag. ever, it certainly wont be going on my coffee table.

[atalas]

Well John, seems "sorry is the hardest word" pride has destroyed many a great men!


Louie

[xstream (John)]

You're not wrong there Louie!

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

JDB,
If I were you I would be of how you have treated we .
There are alot of people out there, you should be that we will abandon your mag.
Your mag is getting here, yet you still make out that you are
Are you or just
Why not and admit that you have treated us badly.
Mike

[h0ughy (David)]

come on guys, can't you see the humour in jdb's post. take a long hard look at the cover on the right in the middle.

[atalas]

Hahaha I see It ! and yes you will go out with a bang.



Louie

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by atalas

Hahaha I see It ! and yes you will go out with a bang.



Louie

are you callen me a dinosaur Louie

[atalas]

Only the bottom half David !

Louie

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

A Prophetic front cover!

How clever of them to write about their own demise.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by atalas

Only the bottom half David !

Louie

Oh so cruel

[jdb]

As I said in a previous post, pm me your individual concerns and I will look into it. TO this point, no one has pm me...this gives me the impression that there are no legitimate complaints - if you are upset with the irregularity of the magazine - this has been explained and no subscriber has lost an issue. If you have any other gripes, as I said, pm me and I will look into it.

We are sorry for any problems that you may have encountered, it is not our intention to upset people.

I am also sorry for the hostility that some of you are displaying towards the magazine - if you have unresolved issues, pm me and I will look into it for you.

In the last couple of years we have had some major incidents (not excuses) - fire, flood, serious illnesses with key staff, major capital developments in our area which have seriously effected access to the shop, key staff moving on - 'basically', for a small community-based business, things that would have stopped many other companies dead in their tracks. I am not trying to make excuses - we know that we have to get the magazine out on time - we are just asking that you at least understand our circumstances.

As far as your humour regarding our fate is concerned - very clever...!...but, we are still here after 17 years and all of the above, and strengthening our commitment to you.