April 2008 Smoke Signals Home Run

[stevep]

I don't consider the April Smoke Signals a home run at all. It was probably one of the worst so far. Did you try to read the feature article on the 59 Bonneville? It was almost unreadable. Apparently no one looks at the layout before it goes to print. If they had, they should have picked up on the fact that the print and backround of the article we not compatable.

[lightning]

There is no question in my mind that the Smoke Signals is a "work in progress". However, pick-up any older issue of the Smoke (before the new editor) and see how much more content was offered to the POCI member.

Reading the Smoke then took a few hours to read everything. Today, a few minutes. There were many interesting articles each month, today, not much! With all the great and interesting stories our members have about their Pontiac cars, it is a shame we do not read about it.

[super]

I do not feel the new Smoke Signals this past month exceeded any types of standards.

As "lightning" stated, the old issues of "Smoke Signals" before the new editor contained much more content from members and took much longer to review and read. It is though a "work in progress" as stated and another source for the Pontiac hobbyist.

It seems the print was made larger in the new "Smoke Signals" only to take up more space in the magazine. Not good for readers in my opinion. Less material.

Pretty much all other "print sources" sometimes take too long to get out event coverage, etc. With this site, you almost immediately get this type of coverage.

It is also great to see other member's prides and joys. These personal articles about members cars are fun to read. This site is definitely about the members!

I guess we should not get too tied up with good/bad/indifferent/etc. The most important thing to remember is that these are all good sources for us and each of them take several hours of commitment and dedication to bring to us.

[Graham]

[quote="PontiacPurest"]The Special POCI Director Election Issue was a MAJOR step forward in the magazines quality, content and size. [quote]

A major step forward over what ? Surely you dont get the same magazine that i get then, because there is no improvement at all over what the mag used to be.

If the print size wasnt so big there might actually be some content. And yes i realise it does help some of the people whose eyes arent what they used to be, but if you want to encourage younger members to join, big print isnt going to work is it ? Big print = less material, which i believe will equal less members.

Maybe its just me being impatient but the "work in progress" thing does not hold water no more, should it not be at least close to being the 'finished article' by now ? There isnt enough in there to hold my interest any more.

Shouldnt the upcoming Convention pages be condensed and use the space for another article. Shouldnt the print be at least readable over the background picture ? Shouldnt it just be better full stop ?

I'm not sure when the Old Cars Weekly 'Golden Quill' awards are handed out (its soon i know) but that will be indicative of how far the magazine has come. If the mag is as good as claimed it will be a winner surely.... wont it ?

[stevep]

Do you mean that it has improved from the time the current editor took over or are you including the job that the last editor did?

[lightning]

I also agree. Having a large library of everything Pontiac is trully "power" at arm's reach. The members of POCI are a wealth of knowledge that unfortunately to this date, our "new" editor has not yet begun to tap.

Also, I think it's great that you have a great understanding of Bio-Fuels. Hopefully, some day you can explain it to the members of Pontiac Registry. There is so little info. filtering down to the guy in the street.