REFLECTOR:Scott's question "VV is it worth it?"

[Tony Babb]

Ok, here's my .016euros.

The last issue went overboard on Williamsburg - I too counted 6 pages + and
I stopped reading after the first couple of lines because getting there is
just not feasible for me. I've already read and filed away this last issue
so going from memory here - always a dangerous thing to do at my age. In
that issue was a note from Duane asking us to contact him regarding various
options. From the way the options and his comments were posed it was obvious
that he was pushing us to support the current VV approach and not really
asking an open question and I kind of object to being pushed in a particular
direction. Velocity is not a democracy so if Duane has a preference he can
do whatever he wants however if he's genuinely asking his customers for
input a more neutral tone to the options and comments he offered would have
been more appropriate.

I will be very surprised if many or even any V builders do not have internet
connectivity - if they don't they can always go to the local library for
free - porn filters ought to let VV through - but you never know. Having
said that I subscribe to Aviation Safety and Aviation Consumer and IFR and
IFR Refresher all of which have a similar format to VV and arrive in the
mail and I think they're all about the same price as VV. All of these mags
end up in the bathroom and are read over several sittings. I hope I never
get to the point of having a phone or terminal in the bathroom. VV is a
little different from the other mags, to me it's more important and gets
filed away in a binder, that said I'd prefer to be able to file it away
electronically along with Reflector postings that I think may be useful in
the future - it's much easier to find stuff electronically - especially
stuff I forgot about completely until I did the search.

Again going from memory I think Duane commented about extra costs of
publishing online, frankly there are none. His staff are already creating
the articles anyway and it takes just a couple of minutes to upload them and
add a link - probably about as long as it takes someone to e-mail the
articles to Rick. It seems to me that ongoing customer education is not only
good sense but an excellent sales tool that Velocity could point it's
potential customers to. Like many V builders, I suspect, this is the first
and probably only airplane I'm going to build in my lifetime and the
knowledge that there is continuing education and support available was an
important factor when I chose Velocity.

While VV continues to be the only way to get the factory written articles
I'll continue to subscribe however I'd prefer to see it all available
online, preferably free but if not I'll pay.

Now where's my sanding block.......

----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Barber" <CBarber@texasattorney.net>
To: <reflector@tvbf.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 8:38 AM
Subject: RE: REFLECTOR:Scott's question "VV is it worth it?"


> Yeah, but I agree with Scott.....even though I may use different verbiage.
> I like the VV and read most of it cover to cover.  However, all that stuff
> on Williamsburg annoyed me.  If I wanted to know about Williamsburg I
would
> find it on the internet or even, dare a say, a travel magazine.
>
> I have noticed appeals to us about submitting articles to fill VV.  I
> respect this request, but if I just want to read fluff, I will read Jana's
> "People Magazine".  That is not the kind of reading I do......I like
> technical/how to articles and such.
>
> I want new developments (new rudder pedals), updates, pictures (like the
> twin building progress....or the two place version that was talked about),
> HOW TO's (like installing auto-pilot's or installing a headliner) and
> information on events.  But focused on my dream....uh, Velocity.
>
> I enjoy VV, but I think the internet is a MUCH better forum.  Even though
I
> respect that not everyone has access, I feel this is an EXTREMELY weak
> argument for not more quickly moving to the web for business support.
> Especially since not everyone subscribes to VV.....they all can, but
don't.
> Same thing with the internet, they can subscribe and get all of its
> benefits, but choose not to.  IMHO, we are way past the point when the web
> is bleeding edge technology....or even leading edge (heck, I have had a
web
> presence since the mid 90's, 9 years ago.....and I am not in technology as
a
> business.  Today it is just another, and IMHO, much more powerful tool)
>
> Folks move, sell, die etc, I understand. But, based on that, I do not see
> how VV serves a need better.  (some folks don't have mail boxes....ok,
very
> small percentage or the RV types. RV as in Recreational Vehicle, not Van's
> stuff <g> but that is not who is being catered to). I think it was
mentioned
> that about 450 kits have been sold. That being the case, it would take
about
> $167.00 in postage and well less than a ream of paper  to mail every kit
> purchaser a letter to find out if the web would be a more useful forum or
if
> they have access.....but wait, we could just publish it in the VV. Oh, not
> everyone subscribes to that. Never mind.
>
> I know Mr. Swing made his appeal in the last issue and I am encouraged by
> the interest.  It just seems at this point in time this is a no brainer. I
> do not think VV is a profit center for anyone (even though I hope money is
> made.....profit is good). I pay only $10.00 a month for my web hosting.
The
> web seems to have EVERY advantage with the ONLY drawback other than the
> initial set-up being not everyone chooses to access the net......but,
> everyone can (i.e. can we say Library).  I admit I like the net a lot.  I
go
> to the net before and usually instead of the yellow pages or Best Buy.  So
I
> admit a bias.  But it is a bias based on experience.  Also, I concede that
> most of y'all would agree with most of this since you are obviously
already
> linked to the rest of the world via email.
>
> It seems the hold up is a resistance to what is now very established
> technology.  Kinda ironic from a aviation firm.
>
> Finally, like I said, I like VV, and look forward to it and want it to
> continue, but I think it should be the back-up, not the focus.  I even
enjoy
> moderate fluff to add an overall flavor.  I think the cost is a non
> issue....I have pissed away a lot more on a lot less....and I am sure I
will
> again....probably tonight <g>
>
> As to credit cards, it would make it easier but the extra charges bite.
You
> don't need terminals anymore, programs like QuickBooks will do it online
> (but is still cost monthly fees and %).  As to the not being allowed to
give
> cash discounts.....I know it is only semantics, but I think, cash
discounts
> ARE allowed, charging more for credit is not.
>
> Wow, this may be my longest post to this site....or maybe not....uh,
sorry.
>
> FWIW.
>
> HAPPY FOURTH to all (in a country that lets us bitch about stuff like
> this<g>).
>
> Now to call the factory....I gots me a question.
>
> All the best,
>
> Chris
>
> Christopher Barber
> Attorney and Counselor at Law
> 11930 S Sam Houston Pkwy E
> Suite 103
> Houston, Texas 77089-4755
> 281-464-LAWS (5297)
> 281-754-4168 (Fax)
>
> CBarber@TexasAttorney.net
> www.TexasAttorney.net
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-admin@tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org]On
> Behalf Of Milton Mersky
> Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 7:10 AM
> To: reflector@tvbf.org
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR:Scott's question "VV is it worth it?"
>
>
> Scott:
>
> Why do you hold back.  Please say what you really mean.
>
> Milt
>
>
>
> Scott Derrick wrote:
>
> > I think this topic has been run through the mill numerous times, but
> > Duane asked so here goes.
> >
> > Last year about this time I was on the fence about re-subscribing.  I
> > bought my V already built though it was in need of numerous repairs
> > and tweaking t get it fly able.  I want to fly a safe plane and try to
> > avail myself of all available information to help me maintain and
> > modify my aircraft. SO the question is does VV provide this service
> > and the service it provides is it worth the cost of $45 a year.
> >
> > There were 20 pages in this quarters news letter.
> >
> > Here's how I broke them down.
> >
> > 6 pages on the Williamsburg Fly In,  Wasted bull shit.
> >
> > 1/3 page on KPC's, Good stuff!
> >
> > 1 page Builders hints, good stuff.
> >
> > 2 pages Factory News, 1 page on the WIlliamsburg Flyin, 1/2 bullshit
> > 1/2 good stuff
> >
> > 1.5 Factory notices, most a repeat every issue,  2/3 bullshit 1/3 good
> > stuff
> >
> > 1.5 pages Scott Baker, 1.2 on Williamsburg/Oshkosh, 1.2 bull shit, 1/2
> > good stuff
> >
> > 2 pages A&P Talks, good stuff
> >
> > 1 page Electronics, good stuff
> >
> > 2 pages Subscription info, all bull shit
> >
> > 1.5 builders Forums, good stuff
> >
> > 1.5 ads, most repeats good stuff
> >
> > so we have about 11 pages of bull shit and 9 pages of good stuff all
> > printed on very nice paper in a magazine format.
> >
> > The last issue I noticed had a large amount of fluff(bull shit).  I
> > realize that the intrinsic worth of the VV is very large but the
> > current implementation sucks.
> >
> > Scott
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
>
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