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RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Important PSUBS Info - Please Read
I'd suggest things are far better as is than with these proposed
changes. The volume of emails is not such that I have any need to
segregate them by topic. All I have is a rule set up in my email program
that diverts all PSUBS emails to a separate folder, where I catch up
with them from time to time. I certainly don't need "official" cards or
lapel pins!
Jon and Ray put a lot of work into the site essentially from the
goodness of their hearts. Perhaps we can have an annual voluntary
contribution to help defray their costs. PSUBS is invaluable to me, I
wouldn't mind it one little bit if I was asked to make a contribution.
Thanks,
Alec
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From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Jon Wallace
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 02:11
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Important PSUBS Info - Please Read
Hello,
At the August 2008 PSUBS Convention, the subject of membership was
raised and a consensus of attendees indicated that they were in favor of
creating a PSUBS membership program with certain features and benefits
targeted only to the membership. Of primary interest were targeted
mailing lists for specific discussions, active monitoring and moderating
of topics, a stated commitment to safety, and discounts from industry
partners that might be available to us.
Although not yet complete, we are ready to accommodate any "early birds"
who wish to start their membership at this time with limited benefits.
Available immediately are six targeted mailing lists for members-only,
and members may suggest others that may be appropriate:
1) "MEMBER-FORUM" for general topics and discussions
2) "1ATM" for discussions specific to 1ATM submersibles
3) "AMBIENT" for discussions specific to ambient submersibles
4) "EXPERIMENTAL" for non-traditional submersible design/construction
topics
5) "ROV" for discussions specific to ROV and AUV vehicles.
6) "SAFETY" for topics specific to safety, standards, and guidelines
As a condition of PSUBS membership, you must indicate that you have read
and accept the "PSUBS Membership Agreement" which is available at
http://www.psubs.org/membership/PSUBSMembershipAgreement.pdf This is
an important legal document in which you give up certain legal rights,
so please read it carefully.
You can pay for membership online via PayPal or send us a check or money
order. All instructions are at http://www.psubs.org/membership
Details of "planned" membership features are listed at
http://www.psubs.org/membership and include:
- Official membership card with unique ID number
- Official PSUBS Lapel Pin and Bumper Sticker
- Access to member-only discussion lists
- Member BIO page and web-publishing your project photos
- Discounts on PSUBS sponsored conventions and meetings
- Discounts on products from our industry partners
- Discounts on various items from the PSUBS online store
At the 2008 convention, it was specifically requested that a PSUBS
coffee cup be distributed with every paid membership. Unfortunately, it
turns out that custom logo coffee cups are relatively expensive. The
cheapest price I could find was $10 (not including shipping). Although
the price goes down when buying bulk, it isn't reduced all that much
(about $8 each I think). Since we have no way of knowing how many
people are actually interested in becoming a member, purchasing 100
coffee cups in bulk just won't work since we don't have $800 to spend on
a bulk order. I even looked into purchasing our own thermal transfer
printer for coffee cups, but they are quite expensive as well, at
between $600 and $1200 (not including coffee cup blanks) which we also
cannot afford. Therefore, we have settled upon providing a PSUBS lapel
pin and bumper sticker free with your paid membership. For those that
still want a coffee mug, clock, or something else, we will set up an
account with cafe express or similar provider and let you order your own
item at whatever the actual cost is.
I expect numerous questions regarding membership. I have anticipated
some below. Please try to ask any other questions on this discussion
list so that everyone else can view the answer. If you have a question
you want to ask privately, reply to my psubs email address and I will
address your concerns.
QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
Q) What is the cost of PSUBS membership?
A) $35.00 per year
Q) What do I get with my membership?
A) Tangible items include a membership card, lapel pin, and bumper
sticker. In terms of services you receive, access to members-only
discussion forums, discounts for various products and services as we
negotiate them, discounts from the PSUBS online store, and anything else
that we add. Got a suggestion for something else you want? Let me know
and we'll try it.
Q) When will *all* the membership features be available?
A) We are working diligently to finish up the BIO and Project Area
features. However, work on such is done part-time (usually evenings)
after our "day" jobs are complete and time permits. I cannot provide a
specific date of completion, but our target is now June 2009.
Q) Is PSUBS.ORG only going to be available to members now?
A) No, the vast majority of the website will remain public. However,
expect some features to become members-only, such as providing web-space
for project areas.
Q) What happens to the publicly available mailing list
(personal_submersibles@psubs.org) ?
A) Nothing, except possibly a change to the name of the forum. This
mailing list will remain in place and non-members will still have access
to it. It's possible that the name may change to "questions" or
"public-forum", but that has not been decided at this point. In any
event, unless you remove yourself from this list, you will continue to
receive mail from it and be able to participate in discussions
associated with it. Furthermore, we expect that members will continue
to monitor and participate in this list so that they can share their
expertise with the general public as appropriate. One of the things we
need to do, is to make sure our members with advanced knowledge help
spread accurate information when questions from newcomers are sent to
the public email forum. In general, "psubbers" should always attempt to
help newcomers come up to speed. We all started with no knowledge and
we all benefit when knowledge is delivered to others. However, we also
expect that the bulk of advanced topics will occur within member-only
forums because of the more targeted environment it provides. If the
membership program is successful, you should expect that the public
mailing list will become an entry point for general questions by
newcomers. Newcomers are certainly welcome to hold detailed
discussions, but we anticipate that most of the "expertise" for advanced
topics will occur within member-only forums.
Q) You say things will mostly stay the same. Yeah, maybe now, but what
about the future?
A) We have always had a commitment to sharing knowledge, not hoarding
it. Especially when it comes to issues regarding safety and helping
newcomers "learn the ropes". Ray and I share the same desire, to make
as much information available to the public as possible. This has been
the goal of PSUBS from day one, and we are not likely to change our
philosophy after all this time.
Q) What about existing photos and project space on the website?
A) We still need to finish up the "photo" section that use to exist and
is now under reconstruction. Anyone is welcome to submit a photo of
their submersible and have it published on the web site, and all photos
we currently have will eventually be published again. This is just a
matter of time. Relative to project space, the current plan is that
eventually only members will be able to obtain such project space on
PSUBS.ORG and have photo-journals that document their work. Non-members
will still be able to view member projects, but non-members who want to
display their own projects will need to secure free web space with other
providers such as frapper.
Q) What about video?
A) No changes here. We do not have the resources or bandwidth to feed
video from PSUBS.ORG. Our video policy for everyone is the same. Find
a provider where you can upload your video for free (youtube.com for
example) and then send us a link to it. We will gladly publish a link
to your submersible video whether you are a member or not.
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PSUBS.ORG
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603-529-1100
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The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.
If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of
our server receiving your request.
PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 53
Weare, NH 03281
603-529-1100
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