Re: ATM "The New S&T": A suggestion.

[Dave Wilkinson <dkw100@york.ac.uk>]

A suggestion: 

Maybe instead of simply email-ing S&T to complain about the gradual 
demise of "Telescope Making", we could try a different tact.

S&T has always seemed to rely largely on submissions for the TM column.
Since they are unlikely to pay large amounts of money for reader
submissions, then it unlikely that cost is a major factor in their 
decision (unless the revenue from putting the pages over to advertising 
is sufficiently large).

Now, maybe if we sent, or suggested that we might send our own
*submissions* for the column, then they might start taking an interest. 
This would not only indicate our support, but also provide them with
material for the column.  Why complain about the content when we could
have some control over what appears. 

Just look, for example at the quality of the web pages that several of the
list members run (with excellent photographs); why shouldn't these be in
print so as to extend this information to beyond those that can access
this group. 

It has been mentioned that lately the TM articles have been largely 
concerned with what many might thing boring accessories.  This is 
worse than it might seem as a prospective atm'er is unlikely to feel
inspired to rush out and build an 8 inch reflector after reading about
someone who has made an observing chair (albeit a very useful accessory).
Maybe if some of our 'scopes appeared it might inspire some more interest.
Mine at least would make people think that the couldn't do any worse than
*that* ;-).


Ever heard of the snowball effect.

Thank-you for listening,

Dave Wilkinson.