Whoops!

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Phil_G
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Whoops!

Post by Phil_G »

I feel bad, it seems that I'm to blame for killing a thread thats been running happily for 9 years on RCM&E.
It was about magazine content, and suggestions for future issues. In a nutshell, it was stated that no-one was interested in retro stuff so Shauns input to the mag should stop, and that interest in electronics as a hobby is dead. All I did was to defend both points, but the mods have closed the thread now and asked that in future any content suggestions should be emailed directly to the editor, which means no prior discussion of ideas.
David Ashby was very supportive about the situation, seems he thought Erf had gone too far but overall I think its a Bad Thing :(
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RON
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Re: Whoops!

Post by RON »

So much for free speech eh

Ron
G0MBV Class A Radio Amateur, North Yorkshire
GarydNB
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Re: Whoops!

Post by GarydNB »

I'm with Ron. I left another forum because a moderator decided his opinions were more important than free speech. Caused a right performance at the time because the mod was a 'name' and I was discarded as a troll.
Gary
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Sundancer
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Re: Whoops!

Post by Sundancer »

Ron wrote: 29 Jan 2019, 22:01 So much for free speech eh

Ron
Indeed Ron, whatever happened to "I don't agree with what you say but will defend to the death your fight to say it". Shame, but not too much of a surprise and one can foresee RCM&E becoming yet another mag full of five page articles about how to bolt together five pre-built bits of the latest Chinese import.
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PaulJ
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Re: Whoops!

Post by PaulJ »

I'm not convinced that David Ashby's decision to close the thread was due to Phil's remarks which were polite, measured....... and quite correct! If you read Ashby's posting he makes no mention of what was said by Phil, Erfolg or anyone else, simply that the whole thread has been running for nine years and there are better more concise ways to make suggestions to the editor :-
-----------------------------------------------------
"I'm going to call time on this long nine year old thread.

As I've said before, the editor, Graham always wants to hear reader suggestions and feedback, so please just drop him a line at graham.ashby@mytimemedia.com

In that way your ideas will go straight to the person who commissions articles rather than rely on him finding time to negotiate a long thread.

General feedback, critique can be made by starting or joining a thread relating to a particular issue."
------------------------------------------------------

I think it is just coincidence that he chose that moment to close the whole thread. And let's face it, it had gone a bit "off topic"....... and not for the first time!

So Phil, I don't think you need to feel too guilty. ;)

Paul
Spike S
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Re: Whoops!

Post by Spike S »

I have always found Graham Ashby to be very open-minded and receptive to positive inputs (as would most editors striving to fill pages). He is well aware that the "&E" in the magazine title needs justification. However, the number of readers who are willing or even capable of wielding a soldering iron seems to be decreasing rapidly due to the 'plug & play' expectation of many.
While there may be little reader feedback from Retro articles, they are read by a number of interested parties and G.A. always prepared to consider regurgitated designs whether using appropriate or modern RC gear.
Spike S
(Tune for maximum smoke)
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Mike_K
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Re: Whoops!

Post by Mike_K »

When I read David Ashby's decision to close the thread, I too interpreted it the same Paul, that Graham Ashby (RCM&E editor) has better things to do with his time, than read the threads to gauge what is popular and what isn't and it was purely coincidental that Phil had made some of the last posts. David is suggesting contacting Graham directly by email, so that the information comes directly into his inbox and he hasn't got to do anything to find it. He is probably correct as far as Graham is concerned, but I think we have lost something as I used to quite enjoy reading the banter, even if I did not participate.

Some of the later comments were getting a bit narrow minded and seemed to be intolerant of anybody who did not share their "niche" of the hobby. Which is a shame as many (most?) of us do participate in many different niches of the hobby. Beside vintage/retro models and radio's I fly thermal, slope and dlg gliders, edf, indoor 3D and classic aerobatics. Oh and ordinary club models (whatever they are) like Acrowots and Hangar 9 Pulse XT. It must be a nightmare for Graham Ashby to decide what columns help to sell RCM&E, but I would have thought that Shaun's column appearing every other month is well justified.

And I'm afraid that many branches of our hobby are getting niche, as they are getting quite specialised and in many cases costly. We have to accept that not everybody has the skill set to make a S/C transmitter and fly it (though Phil has made it as easy as possible to get started). While there were 150 people at Ponty, many there were flying "SAM35" type models with shiny new Spektrum or Futaba transmitters with rudder, elevator and throttle, so the true figure is probably 20 or 30 who were actually flying S/C. And I'm knocking the SAM35 lads, as I too was flying some multi models, albeit with a converted Skyleader from the early 70's and a Graupner Variophon from the 60's. But there was enough interest for 150 people to turn up for a retro and S/C meeting, either flying or just watching. And there are not many events that get that many people, the only ones that come to mind are some of the Old Warden weekends and the Nats. I went to an aerobatic meet last year and there couldn't have been more than 20 people there, yet aerobatics gets a regular column in RCM&E. And the cost to compete was eye watering, £1000+ molded airframes, 12S lipo's or a YS200CDI engines and £100+each digital, brushless servos. At least retro is affordable!

So we should all email Graham suggesting we enjoy the retro content and with a few new idea's. Hopefully this will ensure we keep Shaun's column :)

Mike
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Re: Whoops!

Post by Colonel Blink »

I've never frequented the modelflying forums much, because I can't get on with the way it's laid out, but I had to have a look and see what horrendous havoc our very own trollmeister Phil had wreaked......

My take on it is that the exchange between you and Erfolg took place over 3 days directly after the thread had been dormant for 13 months; this would have put it to the top of DA's 'unread posts' list and would have led him to shut it down as not really being relevant to the way he wants to gain that information. So not your fault, Phil!

As far as the content of the exchange goes, I really enjoyed it - especially Phil's measured and patient postings. In fact I'm not really sure what Erflog's point was, other than that the world is a far better place for his opinions being known. I think it is a given fact that an ARTF foamy is far more popular in terms of units sold or flown than a homebrew 2.4GHz S/C model, but that doesn't mean that the mag should be full of it. People want to read about 'other stuff' they may want to try, be it a foamy, a jet, a rocket etc etc. As someone once said to me on a different subject, if it was all down to popularity of purchase or use, every library in the country would only have Mills & Boon or 'Take a Break' magazines. Perhaps that's what Erfloss wants?

I'm sure Erflob feels he has made his point and is victorious. I'm also sure he is the guy that gets avoided down at the field......
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Mike_K
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Re: Whoops!

Post by Mike_K »

Phil

I didn't mean you!

I thought you were quite reasonable in your comments and defense and I was referring to those who think a column is pointless if they don't enjoy it. If they had their way we would have a magazine with say, just pylon racing or just large scale models. You probably did exaggerate a bit to say 150 people flew at Ponty, but you you didn't need to. One hundred and fifty people attending any event, flying or not, is an amazing turn out (and in no small way thanks to you and Shaun).

In fact the above sums up the point I was trying to make, I and many others enjoy reading columns about niches of the hobby that we don't participate in. I don't fly pylon racers (well not since club 20 days) and I don't have anything scale larger than an 80" 30cc Seagull Nemesis (hold on that's a pylon racer), but I love reading about those 30K+ rpm 40 powered pylon racers or 400cc DA twins and 5 cylinder Saito's in large scale models. And half the country has no readily accessible slopes, yet RCM&E would seem incomplete without the slope column. I would like RCM&E to keep as broad as possible and that includes Shaun's retro ramblings. I get the impression that pylon and large scale will always be included, but we may have to occasionally remind the editor that there are large numbers of people who do retro as well.

Cheers

Mike
Stew
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Re: Whoops!

Post by Stew »

Bummer.
Shaun's well written and enthusiastic articles were the only reason I got that mag. Ah well, at least I'm liking Aeromodeller again. last few issues a damn good read.
Happy to be a natural born tinkerer, covered in blobs of solder and balsa shavings.

Stew.
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