Sky & Space magazine - Page 2

JethroB76 (Jeff) · #21 06-01-2009, 10:20 PM

Why has Sky & Spaces' unreliability resulted in people not wanting to subscribe to AS&T?

Greg Bryant · #22 07-01-2009, 12:07 PM

Hi all,

Just to confirm, in response to the above, Australian Sky & Telescope magazine continues on. AS&T is just one of several magazine titles that are published by our company - we also publish Australian Woodsmith, Australian Men's Fitness, and Casino (for Star City here in Sydney).

Advance copies of the February/March issue have just arrived back from the printer, and I'm certainly happy with it. It will be mailed out to subscribers later this month, before it goes on sale on January 28. Meanwhile, our April issue is nearing completion.

Regards,
Greg

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #23 08-01-2009, 09:14 AM

There is (what I'd call reliable) word from sources on other local forums that Lyle and crew are setting up their new offices over this NY break, and intend to resurrect this publication. This is fabulous news.... I hope it's factual and that these blokes can get moving again!

matt · #24 08-01-2009, 09:21 AM

We'll see.

mill (Martin) · #25 08-01-2009, 09:36 AM

Matt i suggest that you read that newsletter again and now properly.

For everyone here to read, "the statement" , by Bintel,

"It really does look as if Sky & Space magazine has finally sunk beneath the waves. No issue has been seen since last year and the website has remained unchanged for a long time. A real pity, as it was a lively and colourful magazine when it did come out."

This is written as gossip magazine style (see the word "as if" ).
This means that the good folks from Bintel dont know what is going on ?
PS: I dont think that Bintel should have done this without calling Lyle,Dave or anyone who works for S&S and get some info.

I am not affiliated with either Bintel or S&S, but some people should read articles properly and in context.

Matt dont take this the wrong way, but this is the wrong way to start a thread.

See the post above by Greg Bryant who had to respond to another post, just to make sure everyone would know that they would get the AS&T magazine.

Martin.

matt · #26 08-01-2009, 09:38 AM

Mill.

First of all, I'm not taking you the wrong way. I will, however, respond to your post.

I was simply reporting on what another 'source' had reported. In effect, I'm just relaying what I've seen/heard for the benefit of others.

My initial post never stated the aforementioned article was fact or fiction. Have a closer look at the second sentence in what was only a 2-sentence post!!! It was clearly a thread started in the interests of seeking a more definitive statement....in the absence of anything more concrete.

S&S could have done itself a big favour and communciated more effectively its state of play... It has a website, after all, and other means available to 'get the word out'....and many readers and subscribers who, for want of a better word, 'deserve' some type of updated explanation.

I was putting the question out there on behalf of many people, I am sure, who've been asking the same question.

If it appears as peddling gossip, that was not my intention. However, people have a right to ask questions and unfortunately it is in their nature to begin to make assumptions in the absence of any answers. And when one reads an article of that type by a source such as Bintel, one would assume they're founding their 'gossip' on something.

I'm not sure what you would define the right way to start a thread when it simply comes to asking what's going on? I thought that was all I did?

The first respondent to this thread was Mike...who is the chief mod of this site....who didn't have a problem with it....

Greg Bryant's (justified) response was to someone else's response to someone lumping AS&T in with S&S in terms of publication reliability and subscription, and to give folks a heads-up on AS&T's upcoming (on time) publication schedule.

I'm not sure why someone would respond that they wouldn't be subscribing to either mag based on S&S's track record....I can't take responsibility for the way people respond.

cheers....and no offence taken....and nothing taken the wrong way

JethroB76 (Jeff) · #27 08-01-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

S&S could have done itself a big favour and communciated more effectively its state of play... It has a website, after all, and other means available to 'get the word out'....and many readers and subscribers who, for want of a better word, 'deserve' some type of updated explanation.

Agree with this, instead we've had twelve months or so of people asking whats happening; generally ending with closed threads, sometimes even threats of legal action..why not just put a "we're on a hiatus" message on your website?

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

I'm not sure why someone would respond that they wouldn't be subscribing to either mag based on S&S's track record

Still got me puzzled this one.

Hagar (Doug) · #28 08-01-2009, 01:48 PM

The end result of all the threads associated with S&S is that the company has maintained a silent approach to it's subscribers. Had the subs been of a sizable amount a legal class action would have been already mounted against this company.
The lack of feedback and information has everyone making uneducated guesses as to what is happening to their subs.
I believe from reading another forum that the company is putting itself back together, but again this is just hearsay from other than the company principle.
These sort of comments, which don't come to be, only stand to hurt the company and it's reserection.

I wish Lyle and the company well into the future and hope they can get the Mag back off the ground and into readers hands and again earn the respect any company need to move into the future.

Enchilada · #29 08-01-2009, 02:41 PM

I read this post and have resisted to reply, but one main point came to mind in all of this; "Once ones trust is broken, it's very hard to regain it." C’est la ve.

mill (Martin) · #30 08-01-2009, 02:53 PM

Sorry Matt, To get back to the starting of a thread like this, quoting the article as written by Bintel would have been a lot better.
The way you have worded it, makes it appear as if Bintel has inside information and S&S is gone under already.

I myself once asked on a forum what was going on with S&S and got jumped on just for asking

This was about half a year ago.

Asking about what is happening with a company is very hard to do on any forum because people alway's think that you or someone else are attacking that particular company.

To sum things up,

A: S&S should have left a message on their website.
B: People not taking out a subscription on another magazine because of this, are hurting those magazines.
C: S&S will have a hard time to get the trust back from a lot of people, and this will only be because of the silence, and no updates on the website.
D: I for one will get a new subscription once my subscription ends (got only 1 magazine of the subscription) providing the mag will come out and is regular enough.
E: Support Aussie mags

My 2 Cents

erick (Eric) · #31 08-01-2009, 02:55 PM

I too look forward to seeing Sky & Space back on the shelves. I'll buy it immediately.

koputai (Jason) · #32 08-01-2009, 03:12 PM

The content of S&S was very good right up until they disappeared, and I was looking forward to the next issue.
Yes, I'll buy it too, but there's no way I'd take out a subscription!

Cheers,
Jason.

h0ughy (David) · #33 08-01-2009, 03:33 PM

I have quite some time left for my subscription to be filled, so if all the talk is correct then we will wait and see, if not then I have lost my money. Whether or not S&S has gone who knows? It has been a very long time and without knowing one could assume that what was reported could well be true? It is a bit hard to deny or affirm anything when you don’t communicate, so in the absence of a bona fide word from the business owner I think it is just that – rumour. I believe that to speculate without having any evidence would be wrong but by being dead quiet without any murmur or hint of life, one could simply assume it is dead! There is nothing like reading from a magazine – it has texture, soul and visual stimulation to crank the mind into yearning for more. I am probably a magazine junkie – I love my fixes and can get them anyway I can, even OS mags like astronomy now, sky at night and astronomy and S&T US edition, I subscribe to Aust S&T and like those that have a subscription with S&S, waiting for the next edition to pop up. But after 14 months one does have to wonder if S&S will ever surface. The irony is they are still registered as a business entity so from the taxman’s point of view they are a live trading business. So it’s a weird world we live in – get your Astro fixes when you can!

matt · #34 08-01-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mill

The way you have worded it, makes it appear as if Bintel has inside information and S&S is gone under already.

I'm sorry, mate...but I just can't agree with you.

Nowhere in that very simple two sentences in the original post could anyone get that inference.

1st sentence - a simple observation or pointing out of what Bintel is reporting. Nothing more, nothing less.

2nd sentence - offering up their 'comment' for comment or feedback of a more concrete nature.

If anything, it is a call to repudiate their report. I am just the messenger.

I fail to see how you can eschew such a standpoint from the two very short sentences posted. There is just simply not enough content there for it to be any more than what it is: a call for verification or denial of the content posted by Bintel.

I'm not sure how you've managed to find a negative in the purpose of my original post...but congrats...you done a fine job!

And for the record...again...as I've stated in prior posts in this thread...I too would like to see this magazine make a comeback. Just in case we weren't clear enough of where I stand on this, or lest I be accused of having a hidden agenda.

GrahamL · #35 08-01-2009, 09:49 PM

My comment had nothing to do with astronomy mags as such but rather the insight you both gave in how the biz can run, in that from a subscibers point of view the expectation that you will recieve what you were billed for when you are supposed to isn't exactly a given at times .

I hope it shows up again on the newstands to .. all those astrology mags are taking over the A slot

wavelandscott (Scott) · #36 08-01-2009, 11:47 PM

Yawn...why do we keep stirring this pot...how about we let it all just bubble along and take its course...

Virgs · #37 09-01-2009, 12:34 AM

Well if the editorial team communicated to the subscribers what was going on then questions would not have to be asked. Just because they are good people and friends etc does not condone their actions or their business model. How hard it is for them to actually make a comment and remove all speculation? It is a long bow they draw expecting the astronomical community to have faith in them and sit patiently whilst no information is presented or a time frame given - seriuosly, how hard would it be to release a statement on their website or in one of the forums? Some communication is better than no communication and they owe that to the sebscribers/readers...

iceman (Mike) · #38 09-01-2009, 06:51 AM

Lyle is a member here and on many other forums.. communication would be the best and only answer to remove any speculation or gossip.

astrojase · #39 09-01-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Bryant

Hi all,

Just to confirm, in response to the above, Australian Sky & Telescope magazine continues on. AS&T is just one of several magazine titles that are published by our company - we also publish Australian Woodsmith, Australian Men's Fitness, and Casino (for Star City here in Sydney).

Advance copies of the February/March issue have just arrived back from the printer, and I'm certainly happy with it. It will be mailed out to subscribers later this month, before it goes on sale on January 28. Meanwhile, our April issue is nearing completion.

Regards,
Greg

sounds like spruiking greg...*wink*

i'd love to see SKY & SPACE back on the shelves - pheonix is rising...fingers crossed...

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #40 09-01-2009, 10:52 AM

Many people here are remarkably more tolerant than myself. I can only admire such a charitable attitude being extended to an organization that is, at base, not a charity. If my morning newspaper didn't turn up, I'd be expecting answers that day. I could be pretty sure of receiving a genuinely contrite response straight away, and offers of reparations immediately. Especially once I pointed out the bleeding obvious: "You took my money!"

You put me in the shade with your generosity. I hope you guys are as kind to me if ever I need it.

Actually...