ATM Re: Msg. for Ric et al

[Atmj1@aol.com]

The Never Ending Story Draws to a Close!!
HURRAAAAY!

I know that some List members are tired of seeing this thread go on.
Nevertheless, I feel that it is important to our various concerns. Some get
squeamish when hard decisions need to be made. But isn't the history of our
world the history of hard decisions being made and problems being solved? 

Ric was next up, so I will answer his letter first. I am placing it on the
LIST because it will reveal some of my thinking with regard to the Journal and
show that some of my opinions were not formulated over a pizza and root beer,
but rather years of thought. I DO NOT PROFESS TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. But,
60+ hours a week I work with optical repair, telescope and binocular sales,
telescope design, telescope fabrication, and ATM Journal. My first Job in
college was in binocular repair. My navy career was as an "Opticalman." My
time as a civilian worker at the shipyard was as an "Optical Mechanic" ('
always hated that term), and for 6 years I have taken your input as publisher
of ATM Journal. So, if I give the impression of one who feels that he might
have a little more insight concerning our hobby, and catering to the needs of
our little community, than the average ATM, I beg you to forgive me.  

I wrote:

>>authors that your site is better than any number of other similar sites? How
will you convince them that their work will be available on demand as
respected reference material at dozens and dozens of noted universities and
observatories in dozens of counties?<<

Ric wrote:

>>Bill: The last sentence really is the weak spot of your goals for ATMJ since
you started it and still is. The goal needs to be to serve the A as in 
amateur atms and worry about the "image" later.<<

Thanks for the kind but firm way you have shared your disagreement with me.

If the Journal was left to stagnate with our group, your plan would be fine…at
least until publication ceased. A huge amount of our new members are coming
onboard new to the hobby. My "bragging" if you wish to think of it that way,
is just to boost memberships - to say to prospective members and authors,
"Hey, if you join us, you will be in good company." This bragging also entices
potential authors. Just what do I have to offer potential authors? Big bucks -
fame. No. But I can promise them that their work will be printed on archival
quality paper and will be placed in places where it will be appreciated long
after they are gone. This means a great deal to some folks, and I try to look
at this from as many standpoints as I can.

We have a small, black and white, publication printed on porous paper. What
other foot would I have to put forward? If I do not bring all my knowledge and
experience to bear in increasing our numbers, then surely, I have failed those
who have had confidence in me. I support anyone's right to disagree with me.
However, I simply cannot please everyone at once. Therefore, I must do what I
believe is right and stand by for whatever criticism comes. It goes with the
territory. I have received many response to my recent posts. So far, 18 to 2
have been in favor of what I am trying to accomplish and the way I intend to
go about it. You are one of the two. So, if you are just concerned about this
one aspect of what I am doing, I would say that my track record is not all
that bad.

>>The "Mak" circulars were very rich in material and served the atm community
very well and it came out on stapled photocopies! Why not get off the image
thing, cut costs, add letters to the editor - lots of info there in the TM
series - and get back to basics.<<

I can't get off the "image thing" for the reasons just mentioned. As for the
Mak Circulars: please do not think that I am not familiar with them. The
Sopwith Camel was a GREAT plane in its day (at least for those who did not die
while trying to master the torque of its huge engine). Heck, that's the plane
that talked the Red Baron into going into the pizza business. Still, you would
not have long lines for purchasing one today, regardless of its intended use.
In the same way, if I cut the cosmetic quality (It ain't that pretty now!) of
the product, I would not with which to attract new members. We simply can't
afford to mess with that. 

>>If one issue has only three articles then great, the next may have more. You
may loose people but the core atm's will remain and like the Mak circulars the
info will get a great "name" in the long run. I'd rather have some material
over time on a regular interval than no ATM mag over the long run.<<

"…you may lose people but.." BOY, is that A BIG BUT! It's not ME, it's US, and
US can't afford that. If I tried, there would not be a "long run."

>>You might want to loosen up on the "criterion" of acceptability of the 
articles you are willing to publish; you might have more articles that way.<<

Ric, my criterion is that the material be pertinent to telescope making and
that data be REASONABLY accurate. How much more could I loosen it and still
have a magazine worth publishing! I know that there are those who feel that
they would never have a chance to get an article in because they feel they
don't measure up to the authors who frequently publish with us. That obstacle
is between their ears only, it NEVER, NEVER, NEVER came from me. As I have
said from the beginning, I want articles on all levels from all sources. 

One of the articles in this last issue almost got cut. It was Dick
Buchroeder's. His material was on the wall and off the wall 3 times in the
last few days. Now think about that for a minute. And as I pointed out before,
I bumped ME 3 issues once. No, I am not trying to compete with S.P.I.E.
publications. However, the first time glass pushers and the optical engineers
must realize that when it comes to ATMJ, they need each other. The Journal
could not exist without either faction. That is the reality of the matter, and
whether it is pleasant or not, I have to work with reality.

Again, I thank you for addressing your concerns in a kind way. After all I
have said, you, and others, may feel that I am on the wrong track. If so, then
we must "agree to disagree." However, it is my sincere hope that you will
understand that my heart is in the right place and that I am bringing every
part of my knowledge and experience faithfully to the task of growing ATMJ,
the ATMA, and our hobby in general. 

On a light note:

Bill Wrote: 

>>The world was known to be round since about 505 B.C.. Still, 2000 years
later, Columbus, was the only fellow in his canoe club who knew where he was
going. Everyone else thought he was MISGUIDED. Thus, I feel I am in good
company.<<

Mel Responded:

>>this is an urban legend - the educated people of the time knew the world was
round.<<

Bill Concludes:

I didn't say anything about the "educated people" of the time. I was referring
to "his canoe club" meaning his crew. I can assure you they were not the
average educated people of the day.