By Mark Hutchenreuther
Feedback, Asilomar report, and Web and Net stuff
As I write this, I am preparing for the upcoming AMC meeting in Ft. Worth. This is NOT going to be a fun meeting. By the way, I welcome your inputs on the agenda, which LocSecs and Editors receive. I also receive it electronically and can forward it to you.
I got quite a bit of feedback on my last column. Richard Kline of Inland Empire Mensa is yet a third victim of the credit card fiasco, and another American Express card holder. Bill Rouse of Phoenix is a fourth, although his problem was a double billing for his room. I don’t know which card he used.
Fred Beeman of Las Vegas, and Editor Denise Grushon of Orange County both called me on my effort to thank myself in the third person for continuing as Editor in Channel Islands. It was a weird consistency issue, really, and an editorial dilemma. Omission would have been nearly as strange as inclusion.
Fred Longworth, Copy Editor of San Diego, noted that Dave Harper as Production Editor is really his backup and ready to step in at any time. There is some feeling that he may already be in it with both feet. Los Angeles Editor, Mary Kimball, notes that Romuald ‘Scibor-Marchocki, her Assistant Editor, is now in training as her backup. Good for all of you.
Asilomar was not adversely affected by the contracting out of its operation, and rumors of its demise are grossly exaggerated. An abnormally hot weekend was enjoyed by many from our region, including a huge group from San Diego, the usual gang from Orange County, several of us from Channel Islands, a few from Los Angeles, and a couple from Phoenix. I am sure there were more that I overlooked, and contrary to popular opinion, I do NOT know everyone in Region 9. Not yet.
Recently, some of you have asked about the status of the Region 9 Hotline that was hosted by Greg de Hoogh. I will be taking that over, but would be happy to turn it over to someone else. My vision is to make it a majordomo or ListServer reflector list, although I reserve the right to appoint a moderator. If anyone is interested in the position of Listmaster, please let me know.
I would also like to create a Region 9 web page, with links to all the pages within our region and our neighbors in other regions. Included would be information on any groups that do not have their own page. Again, I am looking for a volunteer to handle and host this.
I visited all of our regional home pages and note that we could be more consistent (and up to date too). One thing I would like to see on everyone’s page is a geographic description of your group, so prospective members will be better able to locate their prospective local group. This info might also go on the regional page.
There is still time to sign up for the Inland Empire RG, Mensavania 6-5000 on October 24-26 in Ontario. I’ll be there, and hope to see you as well!