PAMPA

[Steve Hines]

I still don't see how to sign up online, is it working now or is it just me.

Steve

[wwwarbird]

 Login to the site and look at the left hand column on the Homepage below the magazine cover photo. A little way down you can find an application form.

[Steve Hines]

I should have said pay online, thru pay pal. there was something on here about it should be up and running last week.

[Bootlegger]

 Has anyone gotton their printed copy yet??

[James_Mynes]

Ditto what Steve said. I had it on good authority that online signup was coming soon, like last week. I'm not a threat to win a stunt contest, so there's no reason to keep me out of the group. Maybe I should just go join MACA, they offer online enrollment.

[john e. holliday]

I wish at times that I had  the talent or wisdom to do this computer stuff.   I can't thank  the people enough that keep PAMPA going.   It  also irks me that people will complain  instead of downloading the form, fill it out, put it in an addressed envelope with a stamp and mail it.   Are we really getting that lazy or impatient to do things.   

[Steve Hines]

I WAS NOT COMPLAINING, I WAS JUST ASKING IF IT WAS ME OR NOT. I DONT DO THE CHECK THING ANY MORE. I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THESE THINGS ALL THE TIME. SILL DONT KNOW WHY I CANT GET E-MAILS FROM BOB HUNT. I WENT WITH G-MAIL THIS WORKED, BUT NOW I CANT GET ON THAT. I WOULD LOVE TO HELP BUT I THINK THIS WOULD BE BAD FOR PAMPA. SAMANTHA IS LEARNING SOME THING AT SCHOOL, BUT I HAD TO TAKE HER LAP TOP IN 2 TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A COPIER THAT WOULD SCAN AND SENT, IT WORKED ONE TIME FOR PAMPA.NOW I HAVE A $250 COPIER. I DONT KNOW WHAT I DID BUT IT DOES NOT WORK FOR ANYTHING MORE.

STEVE

[James_Mynes]

I wish at times that I had  the talent or wisdom to do this computer stuff.   I can't thank  the people enough that keep PAMPA going.   It  also irks me that people will complain  instead of downloading the form, fill it out, put it in an addressed envelope with a stamp and mail it.   Are we really getting that lazy or impatient to do things.   

It's not a matter of lazy or impatient. I have the utmost regard for those who volunteer their time and effort to make PAMPA happen. When I heard from a reliable source that something was going to happen soon, I waited (eagerly) for the convenience of using that new feature as it suited me to do so. I now understand that the timeframe is flexible, and in my impatience I have chosen to download the form, fill it out, scan it, and email it in. Almost as convenient as the method I was hoping to use.

[Steve Thomas]

Good luck with this - I think it'd be very beneficial, particularly in attracting overseas members.  If I could join online via Paypal, I'd do so immediately.

[Bill Little]

I was told by the Secretary at the time, a few years ago, that there had to be a "paper trail" so I had to send in the complete form, not just give my Debit Card number as in the past.  About that time cancer hit and I have not renewed since.  I feel bad about that and need to get back on the Membership rolls.  Worst thing is, my District Rep could not tell me the membership fee for getting the printed Stunt News mailed to me instead of the CD or online options.  Great guy, I like him a lot, but he let me down there........

BIG Bear

[Bob Kruger]

I WAS NOT COMPLAINING, I WAS JUST ASKING IF IT WAS ME OR NOT. I DONT DO THE CHECK THING ANY MORE. I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THESE THINGS ALL THE TIME. SILL DONT KNOW WHY I CANT GET E-MAILS FROM BOB HUNT. I WENT WITH G-MAIL THIS WORKED, BUT NOW I CANT GET ON THAT. I WOULD LOVE TO HELP BUT I THINK THIS WOULD BE BAD FOR PAMPA. SAMANTHA IS LEARNING SOME THING AT SCHOOL, BUT I HAD TO TAKE HER LAP TOP IN 2 TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A COPIER THAT WOULD SCAN AND SENT, IT WORKED ONE TIME FOR PAMPA.NOW I HAVE A $250 COPIER. I DONT KNOW WHAT I DID BUT IT DOES NOT WORK FOR ANYTHING MORE.

STEVE

Steve;

Here is the rub.  Administering the website is not that difficult, albeit time consuming.  Our multitude of membership options makes website design difficult.  I tried (and failed) to design a site that allowed for online payment and would account for basic membership, US membership with magazine, US membership with CD, US membership with magazine and CD, US membership with magazine (1st class mail), International membership with magazine, International membership with CD, International membership with magazine and CD.  Old infantrymen like myself tend to be good shots, but bad web designers...

You can see that the number and flexibility of membership options has made website and payment design very difficult to automate.  Now, there are companies out there that can do this, but their fee was quite high.  While I know people would like the ease of on line payment, I also know that if the site is not working perfectly and their funds are debited, we will probably never see them again.  That would be a loss on many scales.  So, we err on the side of caution.

For the time being, we are stuck with a manual system and a group of very hard working members (volunteer and unpaid) who try to placate everyone.  Sorry we may not placate you.

By the way, typing in all capitals is considered shouting in the cyber world.  You might want to remember that in the future.

To everyone else who has stuck with us volunteers who try to make PAMPA work at the same time we are making a living, supporting our families, and, oh yes, finding a little time to build and fly, my sincere thanks.  I consider it an honor and privilege to know and work with you, and hope to keep so for many years to come.

And, as Bob Hunt said, if anyone has the requisite skills to assist in getting a complicated membership system on line with automated payment and is willing to donate the time and effort, we would all be most appreciative.

Until then, we will muddle along, always trying to make it better, but protecting the integrity of your personal and financial information and making sure that whatever your membership option, we will get it right by whatever means we can.

Tight lines to everyone.

V/r

Bob Kruger

[Howard Rush]

My observation is that PAMPA leadership is one of the biggest abusers of its volunteers.  I wish it would put some effort into the decisions it makes to see if they are viable or how much effort it takes to implement them.   

[Doug Moon]

Hello Bob K,

Your post makes it sound like nothing is in the works...  Bob H just told us what some already knew. A new website has been written along with some information on running and updating. Sure it will take time to learn it and get up to speed on it and that is why it is not in production now.

Bob H has once again stepped up to the table and lumped more on his own plate. Thanks Bob H. I have enough trouble writing a single column each month. He must get 25 hours in his days as opposed to my 24.

 Eric V has spent the time and resources, taking money off of his table to get us a new site. We all will be thanking him for that right??

Bob K we all thank you for service over the years. I know that time takes away from your resources a well.  We wish you the best with your new bride.

[Howard Rush]

Amen what Doug said. 

[Randy Cuberly]

I hear people who have done great work for us in PAMPA apologizing for things that some folks are complaining about...even though they claim not to be complaining.  
My opinion is that no one needs to apologize for anything.  It's a volunteer situation and with out these wonderful people that volunteer and do their BEST, most often at things they are not professionals at doing, there would be no PAMPA.
I personally think it's ridiculous to have so many different payment schedules and fees.  This is an Amateur organization and the fees simply pay for costs.
I say take the average cost of fees for maybe two different schedules and average them and everone pays that.  Yes some may feel they are paying for others more expensive options but that's just the way it works in organizations like ours.  Wait till you see your Obama care bill!
You're paying for all those other folks if you're below the average age!  

Randy Cuberly

[Randy Cuberly]

Hey I hear that most of those guys that did the Obamacare webb site are looking for work now.  Maybe we could hire them!!!

Randy Cuberly

[Bob Kruger]

Hello Bob K,

Your post makes it sound like nothing is in the works...  Bob H just told us what some already knew. A new website has been written along with some information on running and updating. Sure it will take time to learn it and get up to speed on it and that is why it is not in production now.

Bob H has once again stepped up to the table and lumped more on his own plate. Thanks Bob H. I have enough trouble writing a single column each month. He must get 25 hours in his days as opposed to my 24.

 Eric V has spent the time and resources, taking money off of his table to get us a new site. We all will be thanking him for that right??

Bob K we all thank you for service over the years. I know that time takes away from your resources a well.  We wish you the best with your new bride.

Doug;

Nothing of the sort was meant.  Bob Hunt and his son have stepped up to help, as has Eric V.  Perhaps I should have said: "Until the new site is in place, we will muddle along..."  

Does that sound better?  I regret any possible lack of tact that you might have felt.

I think PAMPA members sometimes have short memories on how far we have come.  Regardless Doug, that neither minimizes what others have done, nor does it reduce my respect for my fellow PAMPA members who have stood, delivered, and continue to do so.  That includes you.  I doff my hat to you.

Are there any other ruffled feathers out there?  If there are, feel free to contact me directly.  

More importantly, is there anyone else out there with the requisite skills to help out the Hunts, Eric V, et al in improving the website?  Your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

V/r

Bob Kruger

[Bob Kruger]

I was told by the Secretary at the time, a few years ago, that there had to be a "paper trail" so I had to send in the complete form, not just give my Debit Card number as in the past.  About that time cancer hit and I have not renewed since.  I feel bad about that and need to get back on the Membership rolls.  Worst thing is, my District Rep could not tell me the membership fee for getting the printed Stunt News mailed to me instead of the CD or online options.  Great guy, I like him a lot, but he let me down there........

BIG Bear

Bill;

Email me directly.  I will insure that you get the latest membership form that spells out all of the membership options.  Ball is in your court.

Tight lines.

Bob

[Geoff Goodworth]

As a long term member in Australia, I cannot understand why you guys have a problem.

Certainly, payment of membership by PayPal would be nice but here is an equally secure method.

Get the membership form or print out the electronic one.

Fill in all the details and sign it.

Scan the filled form as a picture and save as a PDF. This is the default setting for most of the cut down programs that come with scanners.

Email the PDF.

By scanning the form as a picture, web crawlers do not see recognisable patterns of numbers, just ones and zeroes for the whole page.

I've been renewing my PAMPA membership like that for years now and have had no problems.

[Steve Hines]

Well Randy I was not complaining, but you can think what you want. I called Bob Hunt and ask if I could do something to help did you. I support a lot of RC clubs that I don't fly at, or maybe once a year. I even pay at the Tour D. Michigan when I don't fly. You think that I need to be a member of PAMPA? I'm the only one of 10 guys of our club that was a member, I wont even say what they say the PA stands for in PAMPA. Just about every gets Control Line World what does this tell you, They like it better or it is just easier to get. I paid at the nats last and got half of year for full price, no big deal I @#$% away more money than this all the time on things I want but will probably will never use. Maybe we should privatize PAMPA and we will get what Obama care got. It all comes down too it's my money and I will spend it on what I want. The easier you make it for me the more likely I will spend it.

Steve   

[Randy Cuberly]

Well Randy I was not complaining, but you can think what you want. I called Bob Hunt and ask if I could do something to help did you. I support a lot of RC clubs that I don't fly at, or maybe once a year. I even pay at the Tour D. Michigan when I don't fly. You think that I need to be a member of PAMPA? I'm the only one of 10 guys of our club that was a member, I wont even say what they say the PA stands for in PAMPA. Just about every gets Control Line World what does this tell you, They like it better or it is just easier to get. I paid at the nats last and got half of year for full price, no big deal I @#$% away more money than this all the time on things I want but will probably will never use. Maybe we should privatize PAMPA and we will get what Obama care got. It all comes down too it's my money and I will spend it on what I want. The easier you make it for me the more likely I will spend it.

Steve   

Well Steve,
I never accused you of complaining...there is one individual however that definitely came across as complaining even though he later denied it...He even threatened to "Go Join MACA"
instead because they had on line payment!!!  That's complaining.
I think if you had read carefully through your own thread you would have realized that it was not you I was referring to!  Be HAPPY!  Don't be so paranoid!   

[James_Mynes]

Actually I did go and join MACA. Three clicks and a password, very easy. My PAMPA membership application took about twenty minutes of printing, filling out the form, scanning, and emailing. Convenience makes a difference in today's world whether you like it or not.
This is not a complaint, just facts.

[55chevr]

I went to the MACA site and it is infinitely easier to join.  It looks like the site designer created a commercially oriented site. Really just point and shoot. The PAMPA site is less graphics and more informational. It is much harder to navigate.  If PAMPA adopted a similar simple sign up method it would attract more members.

[Steve Fitton]

Is Hunt talking to himself?  I thought I read that we have a new better website.  Oh, thats right, we do.  Its just as easy as MACA, IPMS, AMPS, Tripoli, etc etc etc.  It just doesn't have anybody to be the administrator yet, as Bob pointed out as well.  The point is: WE GET IT! WE MADE A WEBSITE THAT IS EASIER AND BETTER.

The problem is that Pampa as an organization is running out of people, and that means running out of capable competent volunteers.  It has zero to do with politics, wars or anything other than the aging of CLPA modelers.  It does not matter what *other* organizations are doing.

Pampa is what it is.  You can bitch all you want, but the reality won't budge.  We all just have to deal with it.

Steve