Re:Volunteer Review Writers
Re:Volunteer Review Writers
- Subject: Re:Volunteer Review Writers
- From: michael briney <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 11:51:25 -0500
Lynn Wegley (with Fred Showaker) wrote:
"IMHO - Volunteer Reviewers
I have been debating how to talk about this for several months. Last
fall as the Microsoft representative from a user group, I asked for a
copy of Office 2004 to do a review. I got it and even borrowed an iBook
so I could run it. (It required Mac OS X 10.2.8, which will not run on
my Beige G3.)
I wrote a brief review, which was necessary because I was using a
borrowed machine. However, the editor of the group's newsletter
rejected my article because: "You have other outlets."
This is true, I have two other user groups and this forum.
However, I was not able to fullfill my commitment to Microsoft as the
representative of that particular group. I therefore resigned my
position as the MS rep.
I had never heard of an editor rejecting an article for the
stated reason and I suspect that there was more behind it. However, a
user group officer should do everything that he/she can to help the
club fullfill its obligations.
Lynn
Fred comments:
Many organization officers often take their position too
seriously and begin expecting exclusivity from their writers. I've seen
it happen dozens of times. All newsletter editors should work out
policies which will ultimately govern the publication of articles --
and publish those policies to the group. Volunteers are hard enough to
come by without introducing unusual requirements after the member has
volunteered. I personally believe that UG newsletter editors benefit
from writers who are published elsewhere. They should be thankful for
the opportunity. The alternative is much less desirable.
--------------------------------------
Gentlemen -
Seeing as I am the Editor in question and this is a subject that ALL
could benefit from, I thought it appropriate to open up the discussion
and to get an opportunity to rebut your commentary, and defend myself
at the same time - thus clear the air (so to speak) of this subject.
The article in Question was a MS Office 2004 Review written by Lynn
Wegley and submitted to me through the Apple Corps of Dallas Webmaster
and former (some 2-1/2 years prior) editor - Taylor Sharpe. I had
refused the article for a variety of reasons, as is my right as the
Editor and Publisher of the AppleGram <http://www.applegram.org>.
First off, MS Office had already been reviewed by itself and in
discussion of new product released (when it was released) in the
AppleGram. So I didn't feel obligated to run another.
Second, the article's author Lynn Wegely has a multitude of other
places where he could submit (for print) the article - to meet the
obligation made to Microsoft [a scary phrase by and of itself] as he
has so said in his (above commentary). Fred Showaker's comment about me
requiring any exclusivity of writers for the AppleGram is pure hogwash
- as anyone who reads it [AppleGram] would know that I frequently take
articles from the "TMC-NLC" postings by such excellent MUG writers,
Daniel East, Victoria Maciulski, Frank Petrie and more as they are
timely, appropriate and well written. The key phrase being "who reads
it", as I doubt either Lynn or Fred has recently - or else this comment
would not be present to refute.
Third, [and a primary reason I have so very little to do with Fred and
his cronies] is the personal experience I have had in dealing with them
myself, when I first arrived in Dallas full of enthusiasm and wanting
to help the MUG community with what talents and skills I had to offer.
It wasn't a pleasant experience - and we [Fred, Lynn and I - in email]
have already discussed this recently.
After reading Lynn's comments [at the start of this email] I realize
another issue in all of this - here Lynn is stating he was the
"Microsoft Representative" to Apple Corps and has recently resigned
this position...let me state openly and clearly - who knew?
Lynn does not involve himself in our MUG or MUG business. I don't think
we've seen him at a meeting in over 2 years! By submitting the article
for the AppleGram to the former Editor (Taylor) who had not been
writing the 'Gram for over 2 years at that point - he clearly showed
how FAR out of touch he is with some MUG he "claims to be
representing"....
Some representation!
Lynn, I a little out of line to speak for the BOD since I'm no longer
on it (4 months a free man) - but WE don't NEED YOUR type of
REPRESENTATION....I'm glad you resigned...now you should GIVE BACK the
software to either Microsoft - or to the BOD at Apple Corps...
my 2¢
michael briney
editor/publisher of the applegram for the apple corps of dallas
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Briney
<http://www.michaelbriney.com/>
email@hidden | email@hidden
214 477-2832 | 24-7-365 Support | Apple Certified
Apple Consultants Network, Apple Developer
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Editor/Publisher - http://www.applegram.org/
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"making complex simple"
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