Latest Stunt News/ballots/Stunt News CD Option

[bill marvel]

I got my Sept/Oct Stunt News today.  Also enclosed is the ballot for the new president and Directors (Mine was not up for election this year).  Vote by October 15th and you'll have a right to complain!!!  Also on the ballot are some revisions to the bylaws.  Most of it is simply clarifying language.  What I liked about the ballot is they provided a place where you can verbalize any objections if you vote against the bylaws change.

The most interesting item on the ballot to me is the vote on whether to increase dues to maintain the size and frequency of Stunt News or decline the increased dues and accept a reduced size and/or frequency of Stunt News.  The proposition on the ballot is awkwardly worded.  Essentially, if the membership approves the increased dues (from $50 to $60 a year), the approval will also activate a proposal to provide Stunt News on a CD.  A CD copy of the Stunt News, Sept/Oct was included in the mailing.  There are no plans (repeat: No Plans!) to cease printing a hard copy (paper version) of Stunt News.  There are simply too many members who do not have access to a computer.  But, if enough members opt to take the CD version instead of the hard copy, it will reduce the cost of providing Stunt News.  Postage for a CD is cheaper.  First Class delivery is faster.

The following is substantially what I wrote in an email to Tom McClain, supporting the idea of a CD version of Stunt News.  I am posting a similar topic on Stuka Stunt. 

"I voted an enthusiastic yes to the rate increase and "Stunt News on CD" option. Nobody actually likes a dues increase but I sure do like the options proposed along with it.

Since there is no way to show my excitement over the CD option with the ballot, I thought you might appreciate a note.

The Stunt News CD worked flawlessly (except for having to turn it over in the CD tray. Big deal!!!). I really like the option of not having to store stacks of back issues but not being able to bear the thought of throwing them away either.

The CD provided several "gifts" I had not considered. First, of course, the entire issue is in color. It was so natural that I didn't even realize it until I noticed an advertisement in color, too. Even the highlights in the "O'Toole Tucker" plans were in color and provided extra emphasis. Since you are reading the issue on a computer, the internet links work. That means there is instant here-and-now on-line access to advertiser's web pages and email addresses. I expect more of the advertisers will be utilizing color since there is no cost differential for color or b&w on the CD. And, if the camera-ready ad is in color, you can still print it in b&w for the paper copies.

I found CD version of Stunt News equally easy to navigate with the Page Up/Page Down keys on the keyboard or with a mouse. Choosing to format the CD version in Adobe Acrobat was a good decision. Acrobat is easily read over a variety of platforms. Another benefit is the ability to use Acrobat's powerful search function to find specific information anywhere in the issue. Type in Brodak and you'll find 20 instances in the September/October 07 CD. You can click on any one and go directly to that page. It is almost magic. That is the way I think computers ought to work.

The most significant plus I have found (so far!) is the ability to zoom in on photos and plan details. Since most of the pictures are printed in high definition, I can focus on a single photo and enlarge it to full screen size. And, I can print almost anything in the issue. That capability makes the CD worth the price of admission!!!

The only thing that would be better would be to be able to download Stunt News. I know that capacity will come, too."

regards
bill marvel
Lafayette Esquadrille, St. Louis, Missouri

[steven yampolsky]

ok, I'll copy paste my response too:

Several points:
1) Current editor went to WAR with prior Prez over alleged "subversion" of PAMPA towards general CL interest org. Take a look at the content of the regular columns insituted by the new editor. It's full of stories of old time flying when a kid could could bring a model to a meet and compete in speed,aerobatics and combat events or pictures of FF models. If that's not GENERAL C/L interest topic, I don't know what is! Who's subverting the org now!?

2) I'd rather see less fluff. 50 pages is all that is needed to cover Stunt releted competition topics, period. Take a look at SN issues from the late 80's-early 90's for a good balance of topics covered!
When district reports become longer than "War and Peace" or the number of "regular topic" sections QUADRUPLES, it's time to re-think why one should pay all that extra money for the fluff.

3) $35 for 4 CD's? What are they made out of, gold!? I am NOT interested in paying $35 for a couple of CD's full of colorful fluff. If I want electronic knowledge, I can easily visit AMA's article archive and get all the relevant articles at a click of a button!

4) Increasing dues for the sake of keeping 100 page magazine full of fluff is too much money! Here're my 2007 to date modeling dues :

AMA: $58
PAMPA $35
NEST: $25
107th club: $75

That's $193 a year! If ANY of those dues in 2008 push up the costs over $200, something will HAVE to be given up. Guess which fee will have to go first? That's right! The one that is not providing me insurance or place to fly.

5) Did ANYONE look at the stats? Less than 10% of the membership visited PAMPA's website dispite NUMEROUS mentions in SN. Why? Because less than 10% of the mebership are comfortable with a computer. Even in companies where 95% of all employees are quired to work on computers, when polled, only 5% said that they felt comfortable around computers. That means that for 90% of the membership this porposal means one thing and onething only: THE DUES ARE GOING UP!

Here's another intersting fact: No magazine gives you a CD only subscription option. Ever wonder why?


In summary, I find this proposal of NO benefit to the membership or the org. It does not address the cost question directly nor does it offer a vote option of cutting the size of the magazine content AND keeping the same dues AND no CD option. Is there a personal ego at play here or something?

[SteveMoon]

What Steven said!   Later, Steve

[Mike Foley]

  An option on not having to flip the CD over to read the entire magazine is to go DVD, just as cheap and then the TV for play back will come into play.  Would drastically cut down on costs. Say ten bucks a year for membership? But then I also like to have a magazine in my hand while in the reading room. Kinda hard to lug the PC in to the John.

Another way to cut down on costs is to stop giving away money to FAI team members. I am pretty sure most PAMPA members don't compete or have a desire to compete at the highest level. Besides, if people can afford to go thousands of miles to try out for a toy airplane contest then I'm sure they can afford their own European vacation with out my dues subsidizing.  As the previous gentleman stated if PAMPA dues go up then something has to give considering all the other dues and fees required on an annual basis. Besides, If I have to choose between Control Line World and PAMPA then, well...get the picture?

[Bill Little]

Ok, guys, this is going against the ground rules, sorta.  But.......

Knowing the discussions about the dues increase, and the CD option, I know that there will HAVE to be a dues increase!  It hasn't occurred in about 10 years, more or less, probably more.

As to the FAI Team members, that has been a recurring item every two years for a long time.  $2000 out of the budget doesn't EVEN begin to solve the problem.  We lose money on every membership at the present rate (except the $50 1st class member, it about breaks even!) when everyone gets a hard copy and then some have to be relpaced, new members that join in the middle of the year, or renew then, get all back issues for the year.  The $35 membership does not cover the cost of the membership!  I found no objection to the dues increase from the PAMPA members I talked with when presented with the "numbers".

Printing and especially MAILING hard copies of Stunt News is putting a huge strain on the PAMPA budget.  AND, I assure you the USPS is going to keep going up on it's postage rates.

A $35 Membership which chooses the CD will help PAMPA stay afloat financially.  I feel sorry for the overseas members.  The shipping rates have ballooned to a ridiculous price.

The EC did consider that there could possibly be a drop in the membership because of the dues increases, but it's either that or possibly a return to a Xeroxed "newsletter".  Stunt News, as we now know it, has become in effect THE financial problem of PAMPA.

The dues increase, and the CD OPTION, were discussed in the EC meetings quite deliberately.  Many views were given.  But everyone saw the need to do so.  WE would all like the cost of membership to be low, but the ACTUAL COST of membership is reflected in the rates proposed.

All PAMPA members need to vote.  That says more than what we do here.

[RC Storick]

I am going to unlock this thread.However I think this is a BAD IDEA!

[john e. holliday]

Ever since the NATS PAMPA Meeting I have been thinking about the CD option.  For me it would be great as it would take up less space.  If we are going to have a high class organization we need to do something about expenses.  I now have quite a few CD's in a very small space.  Of course most are just pictures of planes.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[Marvin Denny]

    My take on this is that when I go to the Dr's offices with the wife or for myself, I can tak  a hard copy mag with me to read--- not so with a DVD or CD.  Like wise when I go to sit on the porselin "throne"  I can take a mag with me--- not so for the CD or DVD.  Also going on trips or "loaning the mag to prospective new fliers and when going to agencies to promote newer field improvements etc.  A mag is Much more versatile than a CD or DVD and also is much more forgiving  to "mistreatment".

  Stay with the Mag.  or is that Rag?

  Bigiron

[Bob Kruger]

The great thing about all this is PAMPA members have three choices:

1.  Stay with the hard copy magazine
2.  Get only the CD
3.  Get both

Choice is good.

V/r

Bob

    My take on this is that when I go to the Dr's offices with the wife or for myself, I can tak  a hard copy mag with me to read--- not so with a DVD or CD.  Like wise when I go to sit on the porselin "throne"  I can take a mag with me--- not so for the CD or DVD.  Also going on trips or "loaning the mag to prospective new fliers and when going to agencies to promote newer field improvements etc.  A mag is Much more versatile than a CD or DVD and also is much more forgiving  to "mistreatment".

  Stay with the Mag.  or is that Rag?

  Bigiron

[Marvin Denny]

  I would think that producing the newsletter in TWO different  styles would drive the costs UP, not down as  most members would like. 
  While currently I am not a member, the costs certainly will be a considering factor if I decide to rejoin.
  Bigiron

[Bob Zambelli]

Robert - thank you for unlocking this topic - I think it is a wise idea.

Although I am not now nor will I ever become a pampa member, I would never want any magazine in CD or internet format.

I have no internet service at home - only here at my office.
I my line of work, I stare at a computer screen of some sort for 9 to 12 hours per day.
The last thing I would want to do is spend additional hours at home trying to read a magazine from a monitor.

As Marvin pointed out, the "portability" of a magazine is great. There are many times when I go out to lunch or just remain in my office, totally enjoying one of my flying magazines or C/L World. It's truly a welcome break from the computer.

As one person pointed out, stunt news will be available in multiple formats - I consider that a smart move.

A while back, someone mentioned that they would not subscribe to C/L World because they had absolutely no more room in their house for magazines. My take on that is if someone has to live in a house that does not have a few cubic feet of extra storage space, he has one SERIOUS problem.   

Bob Z.

[Marvin Denny]

  I can relate to the guy with no more storage space.  I have been in that situation and it is problematic. But unless he is trying to keep all past issues for later referring back to, then all he needs to do is drop the older issues off at some barber shop or dentists (or DR's) office.  or school library etc.   But mags DO take up room.
  I still prefer the hard (if you can call paper hard) copy.  Other media are too fragile and age  susceptable.

  Bigiron

[catdaddy]

Ok, guys, this is going against the ground rules, sorta.  But.......

Knowing the discussions about the dues increase, and the CD option, I know that there will HAVE to be a dues increase!  It hasn't occurred in about 10 years, more or less, probably more.

Bill,
Didn't they raise the dues from 25 to 35 just 5 or 6 years ago?

[Bill Little]

Bill,
Didn't they raise the dues from 25 to 35 just 5 or 6 years ago?

To be honest, Rick, I can't remember.  I did say moe or less.   When I asked around, the consensus was that it had been a while.  10 or more years popped up, but I did not dig for a "last date of increase" since it is really a moot point.  Being a "Not for Profit"  organization, PAMPA just needs to break even.  Through the EC discussion of the dues increase, I know PAMPA is taking a loss on a $35 membership just from the cost of printing and shipping Stunt News.  The shipping costs have increased greatly through the USPS inthe very recent past.  I would have to go back and look through the correspondence for the specifics.  This was discussed in the EC a few months ago, and I have slept since then.  

[Dennis Moritz]

The shrinkage in PAMPA membership probably contributed to the higher costs for each magazine printed. The more you print, the lower the cost for each mag printed. At least that has been the case in printing ventures I've known about. The cost of burning CDs or DVDs is not simply the cost of the blank disks, which are cheap. The cost is also a function of the time required to burn each disk. Mailing costs are of course much lower for disks. Especially so for overseas delivery. Tom made that point graphically at the PAMPA membership meeting. We can bypass the CD/DVD option entirely, if we pay for on-line access. The cost of extra web storage shouldn't be that much. PAMPA members with an internet hookup can download each issue. No paper, no disk, no mail. Offering an on-line only membership for PAMPA would cut costs dramatically.