Online/Email Newsletters?

[Unknown_Authority]

Just wondering how many people would forgo getting the club newsletter snail-mailed to them if they could have it sent to them in an email or download it off the web site? Some of the positives would be:
1. It would save the club money in printing and stamp costs. 2. We could have color pages more frequently.
3. New members or people curious about our club would be
* *able to read about our past exploits.
4. It could be interactive with links to places in the web *
* *site.

Some of the negatives would be:
1. Lonnie's work load would increase.
2. Some people don't have computers.

Solutions:
1. Pay Lonnie something - Free membership?
2. This would be voluntary. If people still want the mailed version they could have it.

I would be up for getting either the newsletter emailed or just reading it off the web site. There's nothing better on an interesting web site than going back and reading about all the stuff that happened in the past. Anyone else think that this is worth the effort?

[LonnieS]

Here's my two cents, and Brad - jump in here any time...

Many of our club members *ahem J.P.* are not, nor ever will be, electronic. Some of them actually resent the internet. Look at our club roster – nearly half of us don’t have email addresses. For those people, the paper newsletter is a great thing. Brad’s hard work makes it a privilege to read, and the contributed articles from other members are awesome.

On the other hand, making the newsletter available via internet/email would be a great plus – especially as John pointed out, because it could be both color and interactive. Hell, we could even add multimedia to it – put some video – some Flash special effects – the works.

The fact that Brad puts together the news letter gets us more than half way there already. The assembly of the newsletter by Brad – just before it gets mailed out – could serve as the template for the electronic version. I could take Brad’s hard work and just tweak it enough to make it ‘net ready. I don’t want to steal any of Brad’s thunder – he’s definitely the king of the newsletter realm. But if he would be open to it, I think it would be cool to make it available electronically too. That way everyone wins.

I’ve been working on a PHP conversion of this site – which would make it interactive – above and beyond just the message board. And an electronic newsletter would be a kick ass test run. (Don’t worry John, I’m hard at work on your site too ;) All I would need is an .eps format of the newsletter. Brad knows what I mean. With that, I could convert it into multiple electronic formats – including PDF, HTML, etc. Add some links, some color, maybe some special effects and video on occasion, and !POOF! – just another Northwest GTO Legends club advantage. ;)

… okay, so that was more than two cents worth…

[1PROGTO]

Hi guys, I finally got a chance to catch up on everything club-wise.

I like the idea of the electronic newsletter for those who can receive it. It would actually motivate some to go digital so they can get the newsletter in full color as it is designed, (every page). I need to get together with you Lonnie and figure out the best way to convert the files I generate to your format. Maybe at the Christmas party I can sit down and discuss with you. Basically, I design using CorelDraw 9. It consists of vector graphics, type, or text and bitmapped pictures embedded into documents. Where the bugs exist, is when I try and convert to another format. Adobe will mess with graphics sometimes, especially intricate outlines, and such. Also the layers don't get translated well. I'd rather not convert the whole page to a bitmap and lose the clarity, but we'll have to see. I have the files with me here while I'm away so I can always try sending you a page to mess around. Let me know your thoughts Lonnie. I'm all for it if we can figure out these details.

Sorry to miss the meeting, sounds like quite a few GTO's in attendance. I'll try and stay up with the happenings via the website while I'm away.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Brad

[1PROGTO]

Another point I forgot to cover is past newsletters. I have saved all of them since going digital and we could archive as well. Might take up alot of web space, but members may want to check this sort of thing out.

Later,

Brad

[LonnieS]

Brad, I should have read your post before responding to your email - sorry for any overlap.

I'm excited to incorporate the newsletter into the site - I think your newsletter would boost the quality of the site at least 10 notches!

I agree that the disconnect is between Adobe's line of products (i.e. Acrobat, PageMaker, Illustrator, etc) and CorelDraw. That disconnect is the obstacle we need to get past to make this thing work. It's not a show stopper, since there are obvious work-arounds like redoing a lot of the work to retro fit it to the site. But that means a ton of work. Obviously, generating electronic newsletters would be a MUCH simpler process if the conversion from the Corel file (your work) was smoother.

I think the first key step is getting the original Corel version newsletters from you - either on CD or whatever. I'll play with it and find the best way to convert them. My intention is to prevent you from having to do anything extra, since your newsletter work is time-consuming enough.

-Thanks for responding.

[THOR]

Since you seem to be seeking opinions from members on this, I will chime in to say that I would be pleased to receive only an electronic newsletter but I'd be worried about going all digital, so as not to alienate those that are not online. I have broadband at home and it's super easy for me.

Thanks Lonnie and Brad for all of the hard work you do on website and newsletter ! :) !

[LonnieS]

My pleasure Bruce! Thanks for the good word!

Just to be perfectly clear on this matter, no one is even considering going all digital. Rest assured, the club will always include our nearly 50% of members who are not digital. The electronic versions are purely a plus - never meant to replace the paper versions.

No worries, ;D

[G6T8O]

I agree with John .. and Bruce, What an exellent idea, I strongly believe the newsletter would be a great addition to an already awsome website. I like the idea of saving money on postage and printing *:) :) but also having access anytime you want! I would love to scan the past letters to see just how the club has evolved into what it is today. Also its exciting to see all the enthusiasm created by the desire to improve our club and website ;D ;D.

Bill P. 8)

[Pontiacshack]

Whooooooaaaaaa, slow down the train. First of all, I don't have computer access in the SHACK, so that would be a problem. Now I'm all for making the website bigger and better,( not that it isn't the best right now), but I kinda like getting the paper in the mail. It gives me something to read when I'm, well, you know. It also gets picked up by friends that stop by from time to time and gives them an idea of what the LEGENDS are all about, not to mention that I caught my wife actually reading it tonight, what a shocker that was. I'm sure whatever you guys decide to do, it will be the right thing for all. Thanks for the great work all you guys do, and maybe someday when I drive a car with paint, I can move out of my cave and into the modern world. *;D

[LonnieS]

Stefan, as we stated above ;D we WILL NOT REPLACE THE PAPER VERSION OF THE NEWSLETTER. The electronic version is MERELY AN ADDED SERVICE on the club website. You can still read the paper version when yer out in the shack ;D

Thanks bro.

[Pontiacshack]

:P Okay, my bad. I guess I didn't read your last post all the way through before the caveman mentality set in. Next time I'll pay more attention. ;)

[canonbkr]

Greetings,
* As one of the newbies on the block, I think it would be great to have an electronic version available. Like many others, I also use such things for "critical reading times" but the electronic version means I could also read it (or share it) else wheres without losing it (and if I did, I could print another one).
* *I also have heard (haven't actually seen one yet) of Brad's prowess with the electronic pen. I am about a mile away from you so if you want assistance I have some experience with computers (small *;D amount).

Jeff

[LonnieS]

Thanks for the offer Jeff. This next test run will reveal all the hoops I have to jump through to get the newsletter digitised on the website. Hopefully it will be more streamlined in the future. The main thing is knowing that it isn't a waste of time. Since we all already get the paper-based newsletter, I had always figured no one would care to see it on the website. Aparently there's some folks out there who'd like it.

[GTO_AL]

Shoot, I'd love to see it on line. I for one would be willing to have just the one online, I could print my copy out and have a printed copy if I wanted too. This would cut down on printing and mailing cost a little for the club. Also, just think of those who browse the internet and see our already fantastic web page, they'd see just how much fun we have with our cars. Hat's off to all that support and do the clubs news letter and web page. Man.... just think what combining two really great publications will do ;D. This has got to be one of the best GTO club web sites I've seen!

[canonbkr]

Greetings Again,
Just thought here... (Yeah I have them once in a while) ;D

The entire newsletter could be online for the members but the public would only be able view teasers of what it contains. This might also add numbers to our masses as they would see the fantastic newsletter (or the portions available) and would want more!!! Think about it, Who wouldn't want more???? ;)

Just a thought....

[LonnieS]

That's a valid point canonbkr, but I think the real teaser is seeing all the pics, articles, and stories in the newsletter, and not being a participant. That would be a real incentive to join, or at the very least get involved in the forum discussions. ;D