RTE & the Astronomy voice of Ireland

Dave,

I had a huge and lenghty reply drafted and then I hit the damn refresh button and lost it all. Actually its probably best I did. Since the real issues is that you have an opinon which you are entitled to. I accept that 'way out of line' is unfair and retract that. It was 'way out of line' to me. That doesnt mean it applies to all. I feel that comments about the uniqueness of the articles qualifies as disengenuous. Gordon and Denton basically said all I have to say I'd only be repeating their words.

I am more than happy to pay my 40 lids to subscribe to AI and A&S as are meny many others. Some people are not and isnt it great that we have the right to choose. I think A&S is excellent. I like the style. I like not having an ad farm supplied with my content. I like that its Irish. I like the writers. I like the readers comments. I like other mags too. I am really not gonna get into this too much deeper. You have your opinion and I have mine. As the say in Jamaica 'Respect maaan'

Happy new year to you and all astro nerds.

Dave.

Sorry folks, but my feathers are getting a bit ruffled now. I for one feel this has gone on too long. I actually wrote about 5 paragraphs then decided to hit the delete button, because everything I said in those 5 paragraphs can be condensed into: Where are you Mr Moore? Why have you no interest in what the people who give you a living have to say?
And: why is everyone else taking this so personally and fighting Mr Moores corner for him?
Bill H

And it was all going so well until someone used the word "nerd"! Time for a few more retractions boys!

Seriously though, it is good to see things calming down. I'm always amazed that people who could share great enthusiasm at the eyepiece, or discuss astronomical objects at great length and volume in the pub, can have fallings out over relatively small things (kind of like the pot calling the kettle black, I know, but hey!).

Where are you Mr Moore? Why have you no interest in what the people who give you a living have to say?
And: why is everyone else taking this so personally and fighting Mr Moores corner for him?
Bill H

Your right to ask that question Bill. However Dave Moore has no reason to read these boards. IFAS is an organisation which excludes his organisation why would he read these boards? Just because DM doesnt get involved in these boards doesnt mean he has no interest in what his customers have to say. If anyone has a complaint about the way A&S works his phone number is 8470777. As for those of us who fight his corner we are people who happen to like the way AI/A&S works. We are just as entitled to our opinion as anyone else. As for taking things personally. I would buy anybody who has posted in this thread a drink, shake their hand, share my scope and chat about astronomy all night long. Just because we disagree about A&S doesnt mean I dont respect them as individuals and amateur astronomers too.

....and I agree this has gone on a bit too long, however you must understand their are a people on both sides of the argument who hold very strong opinions on this subject.

I'm always amazed that people who could share great enthusiasm at the eyepiece, or discuss astronomical objects at great length and volume in the pub, can have fallings out over relatively small things (kind of like the pot calling the kettle black, I know, but hey!).

Shane, I personally dont see it as falling out with anyone. God I hope not! As I mentioned above we can disagree about such matters but at the end of the day I hope none of us cant share a pint when and where we meet up.


Regards,

Dave.

I'm confused

IFAS is an organisation which excludes his organisation why would he read these boards?

This, in my opinion, makes the whole thread even more futile and pointless. Why is a man being questioned or supported in a place where he is not allowed to state hs own argument nor defend himself? It is no wonder that the thread has gone on too long and should stop. It also raises many more questions, which would only serve to continue the thread even further, such as what part of his organisation is excluded? Where does that exclusion begin and end? why the exclusion? is it the organisation which is excluded, or himself that is excluded? Surely the whole argument, whether you are for him or against him, only serves to include his organisation.
Now, without me taking sides or being accused of disrespect to anyone, or of being insulting, this seems to me to border on stripping a man of his rights. I find it extremely hard to believe that Mr Moore, having such a strong connection with astronomy, doesn't visit these boards and read what is going on. There is absolutely nothing that can be done to prevent him, and everyone out there knows that. It strikes me like a kangaroo court that he has to read all this and know he can't do anything about it to defend himself. Perhaps it should come to a stop unless he is invited to say his piece? Could some one explain to me why his organisation is excluded, and what his organisation is defined as?

IFAS is an organisation which excludes his organisation why would he read these boards?

It excludes the IDA also and I read these boards

Again, IFAS just has a different ethos than AI does regarding what a club is. If AI seriously wanted to get involved they are welcome (I assume) to ask the IFAS committee to revise that ethos, or (more realistically) to discuss some mutual affiliation (as I have repeatedly asked with AI and ILPAC for example...). When I was a subscriber I asked AI to consider doing this, I recieved no reply and to my knowledge no request was recieved.

IFAS clubs are open to all[1], this discussion board is open to all.

Rather than criticise the perfectly reasonable and democratic principles of IFAS it might be better for those who would like to see AI be involved to have someone from the AI committee actually *ask* about how an affiliation could be arranged. If AI don't ask we can assume that AI/A&S wants no involvement in IFAS and hence IFAS won't waste effort trying to accomodate them.

Cheers,
~Al

[1] ok apart from those in universities who are only allowed to have students and staff...