[R-390] HSN Status -- and a poll

Sat Jan 22 23:22:51 EST 2005

Barry,

	It would be worth a reasonable subscription amount to me to access the 
back issues and have the current content available with less lead time.

             Dennis

Barry Hauser wrote:
> Hi Harry & List:
> 
> I'm still the editor of HSN.  Of course, that and $2 bucks will get me a
> ride on the subway. ;-)
> 
> Not all that surprising, but I have encountered the same problem as the
> previous editor -- a combination of the lack of willing contributors and
> suitable material in view of the ever increasing role of the Internet.  Very
> short items are more suited for places like the reflectors with periodic
> accumulation into the "Pearls of Wisdom".  Lengthier subjects and
> construction arcticles call for more space and detailed graphics.  The
> hardcopy newsletter format is limited in terms of graphics and, almost
> always, a better presentation can be made on web pages and/or pdf files.
> 
> I have tried to come up with material that would be suitable, but each idea
> vaporized into cyberspace. I have a problem publishing something that's
> already out there or pops up before the ink could dry -- doesn't make much
> sense.
> 
> It may well be, as the previous editor (Reid Wheeler) concluded when he
> handed it off, that the time for a snailmail newsletter has passed us by.  I
> thought I'd give it a shot to keep it alive and did manage to get three
> issues out. There are two that have been "almost "in the can", but remain
> unfinished for a year or two now.  For a time, in the early days, a previous
> editor (Dallas) generated most of the material himself and continued to
> contribute original material.  I'm not in a position to do the same -- 
> unless the readership would be happy with pure fiction, some rants and an
> occasional screed. ;-).
> 
> At some point, HSN included a number of very brief articles -- of a few
> lines.  Most of this kind of material is much better handled on the nets and
> it is, so I took the position of doing full issue articles.  It also used to
> carry some ads, but the lead/lag time makes it unsuitable.
> 
> At one point, I had discussed this with Ralph Sanserino, the publisher,
> whether HSN was obsolete and it should fade into the past, or be adapted to
> an online version, whether by subscription or free.  It would be much easier
> to publish online in both terms of logistics and format and result in a
> better product with sharp color photos, etc.  Ralph pointed out that there
> are a number of old timers who are not wired to the Internet -- but I'm not
> sure that's a significant enough factor.
> 
> Dave Wise's recent work brings up the same issues again, with an additional
> consideration.  If he had ready copy right now and photos or line drawings,
> and I jumped on it, it would still be a month or two before you'd see it -- 
> at best.  I would still need to fill out another 4 pages or so before the
> issue were ready.  At the moment, this becomes "Plan B".
> 
> As far as money is concerned, it's not really a factor.  The subscription
> price for HSN is something like $5 or $6 for 3 issues, and set to barely
> cover the cost of printing and mailing, thus even a free website would be
> more cost-effective.  (While some of you are owed issues -- and Ralph has
> the records -- I doubt that it adds up to very much, if so can be refunded
> or whatever.)
> 
> What I'm doing here is trial-ballooning -- running it up the flagpole to see
> if it gets any salutes (or generates "incoming").  Methinks it's time to go
> Web-oidal with HSN, if it is to have a future at all.  If you wish, you can
> certainly print it, three-hole punch and bind 'em.  It would also be
> practical to amend and update articles and provide a revision numbering
> scheme so you would know if you had the latest and greatest - for
> refinements such as "Well gents, I subsequently found that a 220 ohm
> resistor works much better .."  I would scan and put up all the old ones I
> can find.
> 
> My thinking is to have it free and probably open access - no subscriptions,
> however might take paid advertising -- of the type that would be of
> intrinsic interest..  I'd rather not get involved in classified listings, as
> there are better, established venues for that and it creates a maintenance
> obligation.  ("It's sold, please take my ad down."  "Please change to $XXX
> or best offer.", etc.)
> 
> Of course, this does not solve the lack of inflow of publishable material
> problem immediately, though it makes more types of arcticles and notes "fit
> to print" -- even if some are redundant with other sources or reflector
> archives, etc.  Increased exposure might motivate more people to contribute.
> The pieces don't have to be any particular size.
> 
> As for the few who do not have Internet access, that could be on the buddy
> system -- friends can print and mail to them as a favor or in trade for a
> toob or two.
> 
> So, what do you folks think?  I have a website available, and/or could get
> another going rather quickly.
> 
> Barry
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <DCrespy at aol.com>
> To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2005 9:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [R-390] Ending The Moment Of Silence
> 
> 
> 
>>Dave, and all.  I should still be a subscriber and have not seen a  copy
> 
> of
> 
>>HSN in at least 2 years.  I think it has died a quiet death?   Please
> 
> consider
> 
>>some other way to make the info available?
>>
>>Harry  KG5LO
>>Saline MI:
>>
>>.
>>
>>I'm going to try to put it all into an HSN  article.
>>
>>73,
>>Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>
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> 
> 
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