Skyand Space........please come back - Page 2

matt · #21 03-01-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_draco

Its already here...

Where?

Not until it's on my newsstand or mailed to my Inbox does it exist!

Otherwise it's just another exercise in wishful thinking and dreaming, the likes of which we've all seen and listened to ad nauseum....

Not that there's any harm in playing 'what if...' but rather than just spitballing the idea and talking in generalities...I'd like to see this up and running, and I nominate you to run with it.

You're obviously passionate and enthusiastic about the notion. Make it happen!!!!!

el_draco (Rom) · #22 03-01-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Where?

My last post included a link to a prime example of what I am talking about... http://www.astrophotoinsight.com/... and yep, I reckon I'll subscribe.

Its pretty specialised though and what I would like to see is less so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Not until it's on my newsstand or mailed to my Inbox does it exist!

You to can subscribe...

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Otherwise it's just another exercise in wishful thinking and dreaming, the likes of which we've all seen and listened to ad nauseum....

Not that there's any harm in playing 'what if...' but rather than just spitballing the idea and talking in generalities...I'd like to see this up and running, and I nominate you to run with it.

How kind of you....
Now I need another say... 20 like minded people who are also totally alturistic and this babby will fly... and the trees will be happy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

You're obviously passionate and enthusiastic about the notion. Make it happen!!!!!

Interesting thing is, I'm looking for a change and my work habits are "flexible". After February, I am either full time X2 or full time X1 and the latter leaves the option open to do a little research. Yep, I am passionate and enthusiastic about the idea but wise enough to know that this is not nearly enough.

It takes a number of people to make this kind of thing happen and, from bitter experience, doing everything myself is not a good idea.... Hey!!! How does "Editor in chief" grab you? Pay is absolute crap but the personal satisfaction from a job well done s great

Rom

el_draco (Rom) · #23 03-01-2010, 05:26 PM

Oh No... according to the latest stats...444 people have been listening....

pmrid (Peter) · #24 03-01-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuso

I miss S&S,I hope it comes back soon, I can't stand Aust sky&telescope its c&*p. Take out the ads mounts, and all you have left is 3/4 USA mag

Please come back.......if you do I promise i'll buy you

I agree. The ads in AST rarely or barely change; the content, insofar as it amounts to content, is dominantly northern-hemisphere oriented. The equipment reviews are generally for gear so highly-priced that no-one except for the astronomical glitterati can afford them; the products that have real relevance to us are not reviewed most probably because of advertiser sensitivity (e.g. when have you seen a comparative review of the QHY8 and QHY9 or the new SBIG 8300 series; or of the EQ6 or reporting/commenting on the really high incidence of problems with the HEQ5Pro; when did you read a critique of the GSO RC's commenting on their rubbish baffles and rotten focuser in the original version?

Yes, it is a magazine that is a vehicle for advertising and not for any genuine purpose of serving the wider community of amateur astronemers in Australian and New Zealand.

bring back S & S.

Peter

iceman (Mike) · #25 03-01-2010, 05:37 PM

The conversation has certainly diverted to a different topic, a very interesting one indeed.

Getting contributors, and subscribers, is likely to be the hardest part of any magazine - online or hardcopy.

Astro Photo Insight have certainly proven that the online model works - it's become a very popular e-magazine with a lot of subscribers around the world. It's not targeted at any particular region, so has worldwide appeal. Of course it's main target audience is astrophotographers, whereas another e-zine would be aimed at a broader audience, most likely.

It's definitely an interesting idea and one I've thought about in the past, but not really deep, serious thought.

Your enthusiasm has rubbed off though Rom, and it's certainly something I'll give some more thought to.

el_draco (Rom) · #26 03-01-2010, 05:51 PM

How do you blow raspberries in cyberspace....???

Rom

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #27 03-01-2010, 05:54 PM

Yep, the time is ripe for a new Australian astronomy magazine.
There's nothing like holding a hard copy in your hand either.
I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be willing to contribute not only articles but observation reports, sketches, images, atm projects and handy hints and tips. A section for astro societies, star parties and other relevant gatherings.

iceman (Mike) · #28 03-01-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrid

the products that have real relevance to us are not reviewed most probably because of advertiser sensitivity (e.g. when have you seen a comparative review of the QHY8 and QHY9 or the new SBIG 8300 series; or of the EQ6 or reporting/commenting on the really high incidence of problems with the HEQ5Pro; when did you read a critique of the GSO RC's commenting on their rubbish baffles and rotten focuser in the original version?

I haven't read things like that in ANY hardcopy magazine.

Like you said, most likely due to advertiser sensitivity it wouldn't be seen favourably if they were to print things like that.

Also unless you had 'proof' you'd be opening yourself up to litigation from the manufacturer/advertiser as well.

matt · #29 03-01-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_draco

How do you blow raspberries in cyberspace....???

Rom

Why? I don't see any reason for them?

It's all been positive and encouraging talk from where I stand, with some healthy doses of reality thrown in, to keep things 'real'. Discussions like these need a little Yin and Yang....

There's a smilie with a tongue poking out....if you feel that way inclined. But maybe a raspberry blowing smilie is something the IIS admin team can look at, while they're examining the e-zine proposal?

el_draco (Rom) · #30 03-01-2010, 06:05 PM

I would really love to see this happen and I suspect there may be a number of other people interested. I will do some thinking over the next few weeks I am on holiday and see what pops into mind.

el_draco (Rom) · #31 03-01-2010, 06:10 PM

This is really quite interesting. I understand that many people like a physical thing to read, be it in the dunny or else where, but that problem could be solved with a printer. There are about a thousand differnt things to think about and I am getting a headache, so I am going have a quiet read... in the Dunny

danielsun · #32 03-01-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

You are joking, right? Whatever you may think of Australian Sky and Telescope there is no denying it has been reliable for many years. It does present Australian content and imagery. Can always be found on most newsagents stands, no doubt it is delivered regularly on time to its subscribers. And finally to boot it's advertising content presents a good showing of Australian retailers.
PeterM.

I totally agree with you there Peter.
I think Sky and telescope is a great mag with all Australian retailers, images from assie amatures, on time and I look forward to the advertisment to see what new gear is out. If you don't like the US content then your reading S&T not AS&T.
If I get the slightest sniff that Sky and Space are coming back I will be jumping straight on them for my undelivered 3 year subscription.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #33 03-01-2010, 08:18 PM

WRT a possible mag. Initially I thought this would be pretty redundant, since most info is in the Australian Astronomy 2010 annual, and IIS and similar sites provide up to the minute updates anyway. But then there are a lot of astro clubs around the country, and many of them produce their own monthly or bimonthly newsletter, with one or two articles and a sky map, as well as details about what to observe at that time. And I wonder if maybe a lot of the astro clubs would like to outsource that work to a third party, so maybe they would be supportive. (Perhaps it could be rebadged for local distribution, who knows?) It doesn't have to be huge. Maybe just a few pages PDF that people could print out if they wanted.

stephenb (Stephen) · #34 03-01-2010, 08:21 PM

I would be quite happy if the next publication was in pdf format. A well presented, indexable, pdf format.

erick (Eric) · #35 03-01-2010, 11:02 PM

Here is another mag that seems to do good business online? I subscribed and read it. Actually I print it (B&W) and read - going back to check the pdf if I need to see the colour version. Just wish they could actually send me an email prompt as they are supposed to when next edition is available.

http://astronomytechnologytoday.com/?l=/issues.asp

southerncross (Jeff) · #36 04-01-2010, 02:35 AM

G'day all
Just had a quick read through this thread, and as a newbie to the whole scene and as one that has done the look through the local newsagents for a decent mag to take home and read I find that such resources are very lacking and seem to cater for the "initiated" and advertisers more than those wanting to learn.
Anything that is contained in such mag's that I have purchased I find that I can resource much better and more informative information here on IIS Via threads and asking real ppl questions. Though this still does not impart the traditional dunny read feeling it does cater to my needs a lot more and I can download charts and stuff as needed.

Here is my suggestion, IIS starts it's OWN online mag, a monthly E-Rag that is edited by those interested (read above) and bases the content upon the current make up of the IIS site categories, Beginners such as me all the way up to advanced photo buff's and string theory people.

The info is already there and contributors can be sourced readily from everyday post's, I doubt that people who take the time to make such contributions on a site they already frequent would mind having the same info they post be part of a community they make such contributions to.

Of course this would need to be vetted but I would think that people who freely take their time to help out others and share their knowledge would not have a problem with the same info being shared in an online Mag.

It would be a compiling of the knowledge shared each month and maybe after a period of such issue's some sort of remuneration could be worked out if the E-mag could be seen to be profitable for the site, and contributors in a regular publication could receive a consideration for such contributions.

IIS already has all this information in a form that is readily available to all it's members and in a format that is very relevant to us in the southern hemisphere as opposed to some publications. The calibre of some contributors is first class and comes for free already (this might need looking at) and feedback on products is evident on many threads in regards to products.

As I see it all IIS needs to do is start a new space in their forum and call it a Magazine, denote an Editor and Mod and see what happens, It might not be so easy but I dont see it being so hard. I'm sure many members will be very willing to contribute and the amount of info already available and will provide a ready source of articles for plenty of issues.

A condensed cherry picked version of issues raised on IIS each month would represent an overall version of issues relevant to the Astronomy culture in Aus and what better place to present it than here.

JMHO.

hotspur (Chris) · #37 04-01-2010, 08:14 PM

yes,it was a much better mag,(when it ever did come out) its lay out

was better,content very good,real amateurs could get there pics printed

in it,you did'nt need to own a 6 inch tak and a 200000 SBIG camera for

them to print them,all in all it ashame it gone,i dont like that Amercian Australian mag.its very 'plasticy' i dont buy it all.

mick pinner · #38 04-01-2010, 08:29 PM

Mike, nobody can be sued for having an opinion or stating the truth, if you could Top Gear would no longer exist.

Matt Wastell (Matt) · #39 04-01-2010, 08:39 PM

I enjoy AS&T.
I enjoy all astronomy mags.
It wouls appear many others do too.
I get the hard copy concerns but we should start with newspapers first - at least mags are kept.
It is more than just a US cut and paste but each to their own view.
As I like to say often 'time will tell' if it is here to stay.

matt · #40 04-01-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick pinner

Mike, nobody can be sued for having an opinion or stating the truth, if you could Top Gear would no longer exist.

Or any other review-based program on TV or radio....or in magazines.

As long as you're reviewing product performance/attributes you're OK, as it's clearly a review and therefore just your opinion.

What you can't do is express an 'opinion' which then calls the character of a manufacturer or vendor into question in a way which damages their reputation. You can't accuse them of being corrupt or crooked by, say, virtue of the fact their prices are higher than someone else's. However, you won't get sued by simply pointing out that Vendor A's price for an item is X $$$ higher than Vendor Bs. That's just a statement of fact and entirely defensible. It's perfectly OK to point out the specific vendors in a basic scenario like that. It's fair comment and in the public interest.

And any threat of litigation in a situation like that is just hot air.

Anyway....bottom line....don't get mad, get even. Vote with your wallets and buy somewhere else.

If you're not sure what constitutes libel, don't post. It's not worth the risk to the website and those who run it.