ATM "The New S&T"

[astillma@nit.AirTouch.COM (Anthony Stillman)]

To everyone,



I learned of the change Sky & Telescope when I eagerly picked up a copy of their latest 
issue at RTMC.  I WAS CRUSHED!  I leafed through the re-organized pages with the new 
lay-out.  I even read the table of contents.  Then I went back to the booth and 
complained loudly to the two people there.  Alas, they were not programmed to be anything 
but be proud of there new magazine.

On Saturday night I went to the presentation given by the CEO of Sky Publishing, Richard 
Fienberg Phd.  He was a practiced speaker, informed, clear and concise.  He addressed his 
topic, the internet, seemed congenial and held the interest of the audience.  However, 
when asked questions, he evaded, side-stepped, and generally didn't answer.  In short he 
behaved as a politician.

When I asked what had happened to Gleanings, rather than answer the meaning of the 
question, he pointed out that the name and changed some time ago, and that it had simply 
changed again.  Otherwise, he implied, it was more or less the same and that this name 
change was designed to encourage other readers to examine the articles.  In answer to 
another question regarding content, he noted that unlike "Scientific American", "Sky & 
Telescope" had not been purchased by an off-shore company and that the same people were 
still working there. The same editors were still editing.  The same writers were still 
writing.  Later, while walking with him to the grass field near where he had parked, I 
said that I would appreciate more content on telescope making.  His response was that 
this was a common request.  Let me point out here, that when he drove away in the dark, 
he DID NOT turn on his head lights.

In my discussions with my friends and acquaintances over the next day an a half the 
feeling regarding the new format was overwhelming against.  Only one person had anything 
positive to say about the magazine, and he admitted that the science content had 
suffered.  In reading the mail on the ATM list it is clear that we are not responded well 
to the perceived abandonment, nor should we.  Hence, I have some suggestions.


1) Write, call or e-mail SKY Publishing Corporation and tell them what you think.

   skytel@skypub.com

   Sky Publishing Corporation
   P.O. Box 9111
   Belmont, MA 02178-9111

   Phone
   617-864-7360
   FAX
   617-576-0336   (editors)
   617-864-6117   (other)

2) Write, call or e-mail the advertisers in Sky & Telescope.  This REALLY works!
   I suggest Meade for a start.

3) Ask your friends to do the same.


Remember, don't be rude, or abusive, simple concise and firm.  Also, check your spelling 
when writing, this seems to be one of Dr. Fienberg's pet peeves, and alas one of my 
failings.

I was reminded that Sky & Telescope is trying to broaden its readership and grow, that 
these changes are intended to increase profits and viability.  It has been my experience 
that when executives make bad decisions, it is due to a lack of accurate information.  It 
is our job to insure that Sky Publishing and its advertisers get the correct data about 
their customers wants and needs.  If we sit idly by and do nothing, Sky & Telescope will 
go the way of Byte and we will be left pining for the good old days.  People who might 
never even know of the existence of ATMJ, will never realize that they could build a 
telescope, and we will all suffer.

Lastly, I do want to recommend we subscribe and submit to ATMJ.  Lets keep it going and 
grow it.  It may be all we have left.

Anthony Stillman
astillma@nit.airtouch.com


Incidentally, I no longer subscribe to Byte, but my copy of Circuit Cellar is anticipated 
every month.