Re: [amsat-bb] An observation from a non member

[Emily Clarke <w0eec@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Tim,

There are many factors that contribute to the content of the AMSAT bulletin 
board (and I should probably put bulletin into quotes) that probably 
contribute to your initial impressions. I agree with you that being a place 
to learn is not the best characterization.  I am sure it was that way once 
- in the days before the web - when email was the cat's meow.  But at this 
time I believe it is less of a place of learning but more a space for 
debate and critical conversation.  I don't mean to say that is bad, but in 
reading your comments I recall my own feelings when I first became 
interested in satellites.  If I had to base my decision to join AMSAT on 
the BB alone, I would have run away - fast.

Since taking over as the website designer about 9 months ago my hope is 
that it has become a better portal for information.  If not, let me know 
specifically when and where there are problems, and let me know how I and 
the rest of the team can improve it. We have a "report a bug" link on every 
page, and we read every report within 24 hours unless we all are 
travelling.  While AMSAT can't control the content of the BB (and 
shouldn't) we can control and improve the content of the website.  We 
listen - painfully - and spend 100's of person-hours per month to improve 
it. Although my name is on the bottom of the main page and I am ultimately 
responsible for the content of the site, there is a large team of 
contributors and IT support folks, and they are all working to insure 
information is passed on to you correctly and timely.

If you really need assistance,  whether it be help understanding concepts, 
answering technical questions or overcoming difficulties working 
satellites, seek out your local Area Coordinator.  I work daily with Barry 
Baines, VP of member services who directs and encourages the Area 
Coordinators, and are working hard to make improvements in that area to 
serve new members.  Our goals as Area Coordinators (of which I am also one) 
is to capitalize on our collective strengths to benefit you - the 
non-member - in the hope that in appreciation of our efforts you will join 
and contribute your strengths as well.  If all of that fails let me 
know.  I'm busy and may send it off to someone else, but I'll make sure 
your questions get answered.

Please don't judge AMSAT by the BB alone - we are much larger than that. 
AMSAT is a multi-faceted organization whose members are not represented by 
the mixed non-member/member subscribers of the BB.

Take the time to explore AMSAT as an organization, not as a collection of 
opinions.

73,

Emily



At 07:26 AM 11/4/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>Good Morning!!
>
>I have been lurking on this list for some time hoping to learn a bit more 
>about satellite operation and to determine if joining AMSAT would be a 
>wise use of my hard earned dollars.  I would like to point out a few 
>things that I have noticed from my perspective as a non member.
>
>The level of rancor and dispute on this list is very high.  I certainly 
>understand the need for an open forum for members ad others to air out 
>their questions, problems, and disuputes.  I, however am wondering about 
>the wisdom of doing it on a listserv that is advertised on the AMSAT 
>website as the place to find information about using satellites etc.  In 
>the past several weeks, (particulary since the symposium) the "political " 
>posts have been beating out the "technical" by roughly 3 to 1.  Even as a 
>somewhat experienced ham (5 years now)  I find this to be quite a put 
>off.  I wonder what it does to those who are new to amateur radio or 
>satellites.  To be honest the content and conduct of this list has made me 
>seriously consider wether or not I really want to join amsat.   If I was a 
>new ham who just stumbled across this list, I would be pretty well 
>convinced that all the members of amsat do is grumble, and argue and never 
>actually use the satellites that a few have worked so hard to construct 
>and orbit.
>
>Please take this in the spirit in which it was offered -- as constructive 
>criticism -- not as a slam or a flame, and consider whats happening.
>
>Thanks for listening
>
>Timothy A. Holmes
>W8TAH - Amateur Extra Operator
>Hopefull Satellite Operator
>----
>Sent via amsat-bb@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
>Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo@amsat.org



---------------------------------
W0EEC - CM87tm
AMSAT Area Coordinator - San Francisco Bay Area
http://www.projectoscar.net    http://www.PlanetEmily.com

Join AMSAT!  http://www.amsat.org
----
Sent via amsat-bb@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo@amsat.org