[MR] timing of the online calendar

[Michael Houghton]

Howdy!

On Wed, Feb 12, 2003 at 03:42:28PM -0600, Brown, Tracey wrote:
> I applaud you for trying to plan that far in advance (I pretty much
> can only handle scheduling month to month) and I will admit that it is
> definitely a disadvantage to you and anyone else in the same
> situation.  However, at this point I do see publishing information
> online only after it appears in The Acorn as a benefit of membership
> and a way to (attempt) to encourage membership.  Ah, you say, but what
> about the Non-Member Surcharge?  Well, I haven't seen an increase in
> membership yet.  As a matter of fact, there were 10 fewer labels
> printed for March than for January so as of now our membership numbers
> seem to be going down.  If that trend changes and membership numbers do
> increase than I would say that is a policy I may have to look at
> changing.
>
I know the stated reason for that policy; after all, the rationale is
given as part of it (a rare thing). I just don't see how making the
information hard to get as adding value to the newsletter.

I don't really want to start a discussion about the NMS and sending money
to Milpitas and all that. It would be a distraction in the extreme.
Further, I'm not going to discuss why I personally would or would not
want to continue to get the Acorn. Again, I don't see that as productive.

If I have to work hard to find out enough about an event to decide whether
I am going to go or not, I'm less likely to consider that event, especially
when the necessary information is easily had for events in other kingdoms.
Given equally attractive events, I'd rather plan on attending Atlantian
events, but we've really gotten comfortable with a number of East Kingdom
groups and events. Heck, I called the autocrat of one to inquire about
merchant space, and she was a) delighted to hear from me and b) had saved
some space in the hope that we would come. I'm not saying that we don't get
that kind of reception in Atlantia; it was just a bit stunning to get it
in the case in question. As I said in another post, it makes Atlantia just
a little less hospitable, and it does not make me happy to say that.
>
> Now that I've had a chance to look at the East Kingdom's online
> events, I must say I'm impressed.  However, I'm more impressed with
> their autocrats than their website.  Maybe it's because we don't
> currently have a set-up to publish event flyers that far in advance,
> however it's been my experience since taking over this office that a
> fair percentage of autocrats barely get their flyers in on time as it
> is now.  Every month, about a week before my deadline I send an email
> to at least half a dozen autocrats reminding them about the deadline
> and requesting a copy of their flyer (these are autocrats who have
> events scheduled the month of or the month after the issue that I am
> currently putting together).  If the complaint is that flyers can only
> be printed a month in advance (which I hope you understand is due to
> space constraints) then you would think autocrats would make sure their
> flyers are printed for both months to get as much exposure as
> possible.  I can tell you that there is at least one event every mo
>
If there were a way to get flyers published on the web site farther in
advance, then autocrats might find more motivation to provide that
information farther in advance. As it stands, some events have flyers
sent to the Merry Rose well in advance. However, it is exceedingly
difficult to go back and retrieve them later. I would not use the
failings of autocrats as a reason to not change this policy.

> With the next rendition of SPIKE we may be able to reach some sort of
> compromise.  I definitely think it would be a good idea to list
> autocrat info, site info (as far as address, restrictions, open and
> close times) and maybe even a website URL for those groups who create
> their own pages with additional information.  I'm always open for
> thoughts, suggestions and ideas...
>
If the kingdom web site is willing to link to web pages the individual
groups host, and/or their home pages, that will go a long way toward
addressing my concerns, so long as those links are not held hostage
by Acorn publication.

Thank you for your replies, Madam Chronicler. I really do appreciate
your willingness to discuss the issue and to offer the hope for
fixing what am broke.

yours,
Herveus
--
Michael and MJ Houghton   | Herveus d'Ormonde and Megan O'Donnelly
herveus at radix.net         | White Wolf and the Phoenix
Bowie, MD, USA            | Tablet and Inkle bands, and other stuff
                          | http://www.radix.net/~herveus/