Obviously there are those with the skills to "fix" the website. However, most of the AMSAT members, including me, do not have those skills. I do have skills in other areas, but I have enough to do just trying to keep my own website current and it is one of those "websites for dummies" types that Go Daddy has available. Now they don't call it "websites for dummies" but that is what it basically is.
It is going to take more than an advertisement in the newsletter, which, I am almost certain many, if not most, of the members don't even notice, to get the volunteer help needed. Basically, it is going to take a "feature" article and maybe even a "headline" on the cover. I have been a member of AMSAT since the 2nd month of its creation and, over the years, I have seen people come and go as well as peaks and lows in the level of participation of the membership. Like most organizations there are a relatively few people who do the majority of the work and, unfortunately, it is really "up to" those who are doing the actual work to ask for help. Is this unfair? To quote the old "Laugh In" TV show, "you bet your sweet bippy". However, this is just one of the unfortunate "facts of life" in the volunteer organization world. I have been a "professional author" for going on 50 years (have over 1000 copyrighted articles, newspaper columns, etc.), albeit part time. My articles have been published in 73 Magazine, CQ Magazine, Ham Radio Magazine, Electric Radio Magazine, Popular Electronics Magazine, and several other publications. I was also the first FM Editor of CQ Magazine from January 1971 until September 1973. In addition, for over 3 years I wrote a three times a week newspaper column for the Belo Corporation. If desired, I can write such an article asking for help. Let me know if this is desired and to whom the manuscript should be E-Mailed. Glen, K9STH AMSAT 239/LM 463 Website: http://k9sth.com --- On Tue, 9/8/09, Bill Ress <b...@hsmicrowave.com> wrote: Hi David.....Good suggestion but the same old problem. Whose going to do it??? Your Board knows the web site needs fixing . . . but whose going to volunteer to do the fixing. It was set up by volunteers who are no longer around to fix it. We sure hear about the problems, and the web site has its share. All these great solutions but no one willing to part of those solutions. But then, it's so much easier to point out the problems than it is to try and fix then. Now I understand it can be hard to find technical talent to volunteer to build a satellite but you would think it would be a whole lot easier to find a volunteer(s) that can handle web site management. But alas...it is not to be. Oh well, lets keep hitting the Board up side the head, like that will surely solve the problem. Any of this sinking in out there? You can bitch about the broken web site all you want but until we get a volunteer(s) to do the bloody work... well you know the story. Here's a crazy idea. How about you folks putting a "team" together to share the work so that one person isn't overwhelmed with a commitment to fix the problem. Aah - who am I kidding. They'll be no response to that either. _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
