Dec newsletter

[IanT]

No, sat by the letterbox all morning and then.....just Bills   

IanT

[LankyTank]

Well Guys, this one is down to Royal Mail, handed over to them last Monday afternoon, 30th.

Still waiting for mine, 8 days later & just 8 miles from the printers. So it's into Leeds sorting office - over to Garforth delivery office, out for delivery to me - just not happening.

[John Candy]

Not yet reached Cambridgeshire.

Perhaps it is time to "go digital" and save the high print and mailing costs?
Offering a PDF download would be acceptable to me. A DVD version could be offered (at cost) for those requiring a "hard copy".
My loft is already groaning under the weight of 60+ years of various rail and model rail mags.
It would also make it easier to locate articles, with issues stored in a dedicated folder on a hard drive.
I know what some will say : "People like to thumb through the pages" (I heard the same when I was editor for the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway and suggested a "Kindle" version).
Fact is, a digital distribution would be more environmentally friendly, saving paper wastage and the "carbon footprint" involved in paper manufacture, printing and associated transportation, plus ultimate distribution of the finished product.

Regards,
John.

[AshleyW]

firstly, i believe this delay, is a combination of xmas deadline for international post adding to the strain of the royal mail, along with perhaps some staff being off isolating. it's not often since i've been editor, that we have had the newsletter at the printers prior to the 1st and we did this time, so it's a shame. i hope and suspect the spring one will be more timely.
all good points on digital, for me i think it depends where your device is, i don't have a laptop, or a tablet that i regualrly sit with on the settee in comfort. my desktop is in a small room and the mouse is on the r/h windowsill and after a short while i get shoulder ache, i have the 7,25" society magazine digitally, but i must be honest, i only scan read it and look at any factors i'm really interested in, due to the access. when i look at the hard paper copy at my M.E club, i'm much more likley to read it more.
i suspect this type of scan reading of digital matter may apply to others, Barry already has a hard job persuading members to pay subs in Jan , via the newsletter, which gets overlooked time and time again. so i'd anticipate that'd happen even more if we were all digital.
i personally agree, i don't like hoarding or clutter and once i have a few copies of our newsletter at home i leave some at the M.E club, in the hope that some one will take note and possibly join. on monday i left the autumn deition at Station Road Steam, whilst i was there for them to look at.
perhaps the best way forward would be to offer an option, with a cost incentive, so any one wanting digital only can pay slightly less subs, that would encourage the environmental aspect and still leave those wanting a paper version the choice.
that would then require a member to volunteer to distribute the electronic versions via email, so that'd need considering.
so maybe this item will come up at the A.G.M ?? Ash

[cabbage]

Personally Ashley, I would always opt for the printed page. During my professional life I have been surrounded by manuals. Anyone who has ever used Novell will tell you that the most important one was "Guide to Manuals"...

You cannot jot notes on an electronic document or scribble prospective locomotive thoughts on them. Yes I am afraid that some of your editions now resemble an art attack...

I have a Kindle and it is well stocked - but it will never replace the book by my bedside.

Regards

Ralph

[MikeWilliams]

IF you wanted to go down that route I suggest a question on the membership renewal form - so 90% of members will be sending it back anyway.  No good doing it on here as we are not representative of the membership.  Not good asking the AGM as only 1/3 of members are there.

Whilst I do a lot on a laptop throughout the day, I read the Newsletter at home, in the car, and at other places where its not practical to power up a device just for that, and I won't pay hundreds of pounds for an Apple I-thingy.

Mike

[John Candy]

Post has just been delivered and still a "no show" here.
Anybody received their copy over past week?
In the "good ole days", when mail went by rail, it was not unheard of for a loaded van to be accidentally shunted into a siding, only to be discovered, filled with mail bags, weeks or even months later!
These days I guess it is possible that mail gets damaged/destroyed in a road accident or even stolen.
After almost two weeks since despatch, prospects are, I have to say,  not looking good.

John.

[AshleyW]

Hi Ashley

Unfortunately there is nothing we can do regarding Royal Mail there excuse for all the late deliveries is if someone in a sorting office tests positive for Covid 19 then the whole sorting office is shut down and everyone has to be tested. Everyone should get there magazine at some point.

Yours

Steve T....

[AshleyW]

looks as if for a stop gap it may be put out digitally on the mms board . ash

[MikeWilliams]

I really wouldn't worry about it Ashley.  It will come when it comes and there's not much in it that is urgent and topical except the subscription and you can't put that online anyway.

In a few months the fact it was late will have been completely forgotten, but the fact it was (we hope!) good will be remembered for a long time.

Mike

[IanT]

For G3S Members, a PDF copy of the Winter 2020 Newsletter has been placed in the Members section of the website as an interim measure.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Regards,

IanT

[John Branch]

Thanks for posting the newsletter on the G3S website.  A good meaty number, lots of good pics as well.  Congratulations to all involved..

I found that, whilst readable and clear (I have a 221n screen), I am still tempted to print it, even on a printer with less resolution than my monitor, fo9r comfortable study.

My vote would be for us to continue with hardcopy.  (And put a bomb up the post office)

John

[Richard T]

My G3 newsletter arrived today 👍

[John Candy]

Mine too!

John.

[John Branch]

Mine arrived in west Devon this morning, thanks, all

John