Online Newsletter - Update

[LonnieS]

-Just wanted to update those who are interested - on the status of the "online newsletter project". Weeks ago, John Bozony inquired about adding Brad Barrie's awesome newsletters to this website as an added feature, which sparked a bit of debate and testing. Well, here's where we stand so far:

I've poured hours into optimizing the newsletter in PDF format. The goal was obvious - keep Brad's newsletter in as close the original format as possible. He does an outstanding job composing our monthly newsletters, and it would be an injustice not to preserve his work. The problem was HUGE - literally. The result was a PDF file (printable with close to equal quality) that would be painful for modem users to download. Average page size was about 800+ kilobytes. Multiply this by 11 (color) pages and we have almost a 9 MB online newsletter. Not bad for those with broadband internet - a royal pain in the a$$ for anyone dialing up.

Now for a positive spin on this:

First of all - this message board is going to receive a MASSIVE upgrade soon. The purpose behind this is to speed it up (make the pages load faster) and add more features. (Hey guys, we're Legends - we need more features! ;) ) One of the key features is a "Members-Only" section. This section will be invisible and secure from anyone who is not a club member. Why? - well, for starters it solves one of the issues that were heavily debated about the online newsletter. Brad works hard on the newsletter and creates awesome work - which some have argues is part of the value of being a CLUB MEMBER - and thus warrants at least part of the membership fee. Those who questioned the online newsletter were concerned that perhaps a "free" newsletter on our site would remove some of the initial interest in joining the club since they would now get the newsletter for free.

That takes us back to the "Members-Only" section of this message board. We could potentially post the online newsletter in this section - preserving the availability to only club members. In addition, the members only section would allow discussion of club-sensitive topics that may not need public attention. Other club-materials could also be posted there too - like maps to functions, flyers, etc.

Next - to satisfy the arguments FOR the online newsletter. Many others feel that having an online newsletter would create GREATER interest in joining our club - which could ultimately increase our GTOAA membership statistics and secure our status as a GTOAA chapter. Here's my proposed happy medium:

What if Brad's newsletter was available to the public on this website - in small, graphic format only? As an example, I convert the pages into smaller graphics - still perfectly colorful and legible - but smaller than the original. This will enable the page to load quicker - even for dialup users. These graphics won't print very well though - the print quality will be compromised, so having a membership with the club, and receiving the original newsletter will still be the best option. In addition - we can still provide an archive of the ORIGINAL newsletter to club members - in a secure section. Then members can access the great newsletter in it's original quality, which is great for times when they've lost the newsletter that they received in the postmail; or if they want to review a past newsletter.

I'll be posting the "public" version of the newsletter shortly - as a test run. This will all make a little more sense when you see it.

Later.

[LonnieS]

Okay - first time is always the hardest ... click the link below to view some samples.

http://www.northwestlegends.com/newsletters.shtml

These are essentially snapshots - not the real deal. The real newsletters will be available (in color) to members only. But this will be enough of a teaser to create more interest.

[MikeS]

Sounds like the best of both worlds. I think this could work.
Members???

[1PROGTO]

Wow, all I can say is THANK YOU Lonnie. When you go on a mission, you really fly! I think everything you brought up I agree with. This sounds like a great solution. Next time we are able to get together maybe you can guide me through the process so I understand the conversion at your end. If there is a way I can create the newsletter that will make your job easier, please let me know. Hopefully we can teach each other some tricks to make this a smooth transfer.

I just wish you didn't have to stay up to all hours of the night with no sleep just for the club's online newsletter. Again, THANKS Lonnie, you really make this club great to be a part of.

Brad

[Unknown_Authority]

That Kicks Ass!! Awesome. Great work Brad and Lonnie. It's great being able to read the minutes too. Making it a member only function is the way to go also. 8)

[LonnieS]

Thanks for your replies guys - I appreciate it.

Brad - I think most of the kinks have been ironed out now. Remember your first couple of newsletters? They probably took about 5 times longer to produce than they do now. Once you get the system down and develop a pattern or template - it runs a lot faster and smoother. The one area I'm still bugged about it how large the PDF files turn out on the average. I drained hours into compressing and optimizing the PDF conversion - and I still was left with huge PDF's. What bugs me about it is that we, as a company, design hundreds of PDF's per month where I work. Many of them are color and graphic intense, and still come out around 250-400KB in size. But your newsletters are averaging 1MB! I can't figure that one out. One things for sure, though - they rock.

[THOR]

Gee Lonnie,
These are smokin' and look great !
Thanks a ton for your hard work and trial and error experimentation to come up with a solution on this.
We're dang lucky to have such a dedicated dude like you helping us out. Hammer down and thumbs up 8)

[Rick]

Lonnie,

I'm impressed....this looks first class to me.

Rick

[G6T8O]

Brad & Lonnie >>> The Newsletter looks great!!!
What do you think about a Newsletter "Highlight" section on the public site with the full letter on the Member only section?

Bill P 8)

[LonnieS]

Not sure what you're saying, Bill. Are you suggesting that only part of the newsletter be visible in the new "Newsletters" section? And then the full letter be visible in a members only section?

I think the way it's set up now works out pretty well because the public web version is somewhat limited quality, where the full version is awesome, clear, and colorful. The greatest part about viewing the pages in the Newsletters section is that it's a sort of "public" record of the activity that this club's involved in. It projects the interest and enthusiasm the club shares, which I think is interesting to our visitors.

Any other thoughts or objections? If no one's seriously opposed, I'd like to continue placing the "snapshot" sized news letters in their current section.

[Icelander]

Go for it! It looks great! ;D

[G6T8O]

Lonnie .. It just seemed some people didn't like the idea that the whole newsletter being public etc.... So i thought some highlights from the newsletter just might peak more interest in getting the full version. Thats all ... It was just a thought...
I really love what you have done with this site, and really value your opinion. I for one have absolute confidence in Any decisions you make regarding this site. I am sorry for the confusion. :)

Bill P 8)

[LonnieS]

Hey don't get me wrong Bill - I appreciate you speaking up - I was just trying to make sure I understood you.

I was sort of on the fence about it after I considered all of Brad's hard work. He spends a lot of time creating the newsletters - which was intended to be one of the advantages of being a club member. I didn't want to spoil the intention - I just wanted to broaden the audience. I think one of the things that set this club apart from many others is that fact that there's no snobs here.

Peace

[1PROGTO]

Lonnie, man every time I check this site out it is even better! The new downloads area is great. That will be a bonus when renewal time comes arond in MAY/ JUNE. I see all kinds of poosibilities here.

I have archives of Tiger Run video, as well as tapes from the beginning of the NW GTO Legends back in 1984 when a couple of us put on an All Pontiac Car Show at Marymoor Park in Redmond. It was there that three GTO nuts turned into 10, then 30 etc. What do you think of having short video clip downloads available to "peek" into the past happenings?

Back to the online newsletter point: I feel a small less detailed version to the public, and full blown accesss to members is the way to go. Just my opinion.

I want to ask everyone to get out their pens, or sit down at their computers and write up some tid bits, bios, tech artilces, jokes, stories.whatever to include in our future newsletters. (Next one should be in late January but I need some material!!!) Send to me either e-mail or regular mail. Any pics would be great too. That Frank Nagy bio is just one exaple of what I'm looking for. How about stories of GTO's that got away, or your first encounter with one.

Nuff said..........THANKS Lonnie,

Brad

[LonnieS]

The only problem with stripping down the newsletter for the public version (i.e. just a newsletter highlights for public) is that I would have to alter your original letter. That means there would have to be an executive decision whose articles to keep, and whose to discard. It would also double my work load when putting the newsletters on the site because as of now - I go through three conversions to get the newsletter snapshot, which is the public version. If we use a scaled-down newsletter, I'd have to add that work involved, on top of the conversion process.

Bottom line for me is, it's easier and quicker not to have to alter your newsletter before I convert it to the website. Maybe if you decided ahead of time what to include and what to exclude - then sent that to me (in the same original format as the regular newsletter - Corel) then I could convert that the same way I do the newlsetter right now.

Love the idea about adding the video clips, Brad. I say lets do it! I want this site to be (among other things) a historical landmark. It would be a total mind trip to view the evolution of the club - from it's first handfull of members to the Pontiac Powerhouse we are today! ;D

[G6T8O]

Hey Lonnie ... No problem here ... :) Thanx

Bill P 8)

[1PROGTO]

Keep the newsletter as is. The last thing you need is more work. It works great the way you have setup.