Before I started writing this last column as your editor, I took a look at my first issue, which was published in February 1997. It doesn’t seem like 2½ years have passed by, but now that I’m retiring I feel that my editorship has run its course and it’s time to move on. I’m not going away just yet, but I think I’ve done as much as I could with the newsletter and I feel it’s time for someone new to give a fresh perspective to
Sacra Blue.
Writer Recognition
When I took over as editor in January 1997, the newsletter was still going strong as a printed publication, though some authors had fallen by the wayside. The theme of my first issue in February 1997 was, “Why I Write for
Sacra Blue.” The issue was stippled with testimonials from past and current writers about why
Sacra Blue was an important part of their lives. The focus on writing attracted many new and returning authors to our pages. The result has been recognition of our newsletter’s (and authors’) excellence from many other user group newsletters and organizations.
That recognition continues today. Paul Knox’s “Surfing to Conclusions” was reprinted in the Tacoma OPEN Group for Micros newsletter
TOGGLE (May 1999) and his “A Word of Caution” article was reprinted in the Twin Cities PC User Group newsletter
The Digital Viking (April 1999). Randall Rich’s “A Tale of Designing a Color Document” was also reprinted in the May 1999 issue of
TOGGLE.
Plenty of Features
As the 15th anniversaries for our group and our newsletter arrived in July and August, respectively, the issues of
Sacra Blue for those two months featured special covers and a look back at our group’s history. Those issues also marked the end of an era for
Sacra Blue, as we started to gradually move away from the familiar-looking
Sacra Blue and into new territories. At the beginning of 1998, the newsletter sported a new format that broke from the past. Earlier this year, the newsletter’s format moved farther afield as we introduced the smaller version of
Sacra Blue with its eBlue complement.
Even with these format changes, we provided columns and many timely and interesting features that could only come from our membership. Some features that come to mind include features from Gene Weisskopf, John Myers, and several other members, a feature on Windows 98, a product reviews guide, a holiday shopper’s guide, and survey results. Speaking of survey results, this issue features the last major feature I wanted in our newsletter before I left: our Internet service provider buyer’s guide. I hope you enjoy it.
One Last Thing
Now that I’m hanging up the blue pencil and looking back on the last 30 issues, my time as editor was stranger, more frustrating, and more wonderful than I could have imagined before I started. Those feelings come from all the issues, debates (that usually centered around Microsoft), and the people I encountered during the last 2½ years. I had my low points, and at one particular low point I was going to quit. I’ve also had many high points, and those came from all the wonderful people who supported me with their time, effort, and kind words. There are too many people to list here, but you all know who you are when I say thank you. You helped make this newsletter worthwhile, helped me get through the low points, and made working on the newsletter a joy.
The only thing left that I would like to do before I step down is to complete on an online help version of our writer’s guide. This online guide would be more comprehensive than our current one-page guide, and you would also be able to download and print sections of the guide as you see fit. I hope to work with Chris Graillat on it and have the new guide up and running by the time you see this. Otherwise, I think I’ve taken
Sacra Blue about as far as I could take it.
Addressing Issues
There are some other outstanding issues that we’ve been trying to address before Chris takes over. The most pressing issue has been how to get
eBlue up at around the same time that members receive Sacra Blue in the mail. There are two major problems that we’ve had to address. |
The first
problem is that the editor and the Webmaster are physically disabled.
I’m not well, as I explain later in this column. Our Webmaster, Dave
Eden, has been dealing with a very sore right arm and shoulder. (I hope he
didn’t catch it from me.) So far, no one has been able to figure out
what’s wrong with Dave, and he can only work at the computer for 10 to
15 minutes at a time before he has to take a break for 1 to 2 hours. With
the two people responsible for the content and operation of eBlue
as the “walking wounded,” it takes a little longer to get eBlue
online.
The second problem is with formatting issues and how links are set up. Now that we have three issues of
eBlue under our belts, we have a better idea of how to approach eBlue construction. Last month, Dave held a face-to-face meeting with
eBlue members to discuss outstanding eBlue issues. The result will be an online newsletter that will be up the weekend after the Steering Committee meeting (if not sooner).
I’d like to thank the eBlue team for all their hard work in making
eBlue a success, and I’d like to thank you for your patience as we’ve worked out the bugs. I’d like to thank Dave Eden most of all, because his guidance has made
eBlue (and our Web site) a success. Though Dave is moving on to other user group activities
(i.e., president of the Davis chapter), Dave is going to help our new Web site committee take over. Dave and I will also help Chris and the
eBlue team get settled in so you won’t even notice that a transition has taken place.
Let’s Pitch In
When Larry Clark stepped down, he felt that it was a good idea to let someone else take the reins after a couple of years. Now that I’ve joined Larry in the “30-30 club,” i.e., we both have 30 issues of Sacra Blue under our belts, I find that I agree with him and it’s time for Chris to take our newsletter to new heights. As I’ve said before, I’m not going away. This column will actually move to a different page in this newsletter, take on a different name, and talk more about my experiences with computer stuff. I’ll also be submitting reviews over the next few months. (I’m working on them, Tom!) If you want to write for our newsletter, please pitch in and let’s help our new editor, who introduces herself in this issue.
Several members have asked me what I’m going to do now that I won’t be involved with the newsletter. My user group activities will be restricted to writing columns and reviews for
Sacra Blue. I’m taking a break largely because I need to find out why I’ve been so unhealthy lately.
The Next Stage
You may have heard that I haven’t been well recently, and my condition has forced me onto disability leave from work for over three months now. My symptoms include constant dizziness, headaches, and earaches. Exhaustion and ringing in the ears also make regular appearances.
I’ve been to several specialists and I’ve taken several tests, but so far no one has been able to find out what’s wrong. Now I’m in the “second opinion” stage of my treatment, and I hope to find an answer soon. In the meantime, I rely on family and friends to drive me to appointments at locations outside the Roseville/Citrus Heights area. The only good news out of this whole ordeal is that I’ve taken care of several ancillary problems. My thanks to those of you who have offered kind words and advice.
Fortunately, I have enough work to keep me occupied (and keep me from going insane). I’m receiving a steady stream of technical editing work from IDG Books, and that work may lead to authoring books. I finally have my business Web site up, and I’m working on a new version of my parents’ bed and breakfast Web site, so those will keep me quite busy. By the time you read this, I should know whether I’ve been accepted to the UC Davis graduate school of management for the fall quarter. If that doesn’t pan out, there are other educational opportunities, and I may get involved in our group’s Access Sacramento event and perhaps other SPCUG educational endeavors if time permits.
30 is Enough
I wrote in my first column that my mother’s voice was in my head, because she always says, “Here we goooo!” just before we embark on an amusement park ride. Now I hear my mother’s voice saying, “Want to go again?” That’s what she says after we finish the ride, but I think I’ll skip a second ride this time. There are other rides in the park that I want to try.
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