Re: ATMJ Help

[Atmj1@aol.com]

>>Gary Seronik wrote:

Whoa there Anthony - let's nip this in the bud right now.  The essays that
appear in Focal Point do NOT represent the views of S&T. Randall Wehler was
expressing HIS views.  I hope this is clear.

Regards,
Gary Seronik<<


To Anthony AND Gary Seronik:

In my PROPOSED article, it is not my intention to take S&T OR Mr. Wheeler to
task. I feel that Randall has written an article based on "urban legend,"
which, even though it might be supported by a lack of activity in his area,
falls short of representing what is actually happening in our hobby both here
in the states and abroad.

Randall is a prolific writer of articles for things related to astronomical
gizmos and gadgets and I have been pleased to publish his work in ATM Journal.
I believe that we have another of his articles upcoming. Everyday, however, I
am in contact with ATM's all over the world and what I am hearing and seeing
tells me that his position has been, perhaps, overstated. I would hasten to
say that, if I know anything about Randall, he would be ecstatic to learn that
he has underestimated the ATM communities staying power. This is a hymn that
no one has been singing of late and I just feel that it is time update the
record a little bit based on more that speculation and 10th generation
hearsay.

As for S&T: I do not view these folks as the enemy. Who among us is more
prepared to be called an ATM than Gary? When it comes to ATM Journal, some
folks just think that I can snap my fingers and do this and that without
regard to our audience - or market if you will. Well, the fact is that while
telescope making is still healthy, the ATM community would have to triple or
quadruple in size for S&T to give more space to telescope making topics.
That's just sound business.

I am pleased to have been acquainted with a number of the associate editors of
S&T for a number of years and I am pleased to call many of them "friend." If I
felt they were out to mislead or help kill off our hobby, that would not be
the case. If some feel that is "sucking up," well, so be it.

It is often stated that S&T is trying to curb interest in telescope making
because their advertisers find telescope making a threat to their sales. At
first glance, that might seem a logical assessment. However, if you doubled
the number of ATMs worldwide and each of those could be responsible for the
loss of 3 large amateur instruments PER YEAR, the big guys would not even
notice the loss of dollars. Consumers are being born faster than ATMs. So, in
this sense, Joe Gordon and Alan Hale would not lose any sleep if S&T tripled
their coverage.

Please keep your comments coming, but let's not throw the baby out with the
wash.

Kindest Regards and Merry Christmas,

Bill Cook
Editor / publisher, Amateur Telescope Making Journal