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The Foundry Newsletter: A Revival?

PostPosted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:40 am
by TaCktiX
As evidenced by both my forum absence and general lack of time and internet access, the Foundry Newsletter has not released in over 3 months. To be honest, the entire original staff burned out 4 months ago shortly after the 21st Issue. We put in a lot of work to turn out a good product that I know everyone appreciated tremendously even if there weren't that many posts to that effect. I know that people don't want the Foundry Newsletter to go away, but myself, wcaclimbing, and ZeakCytho have retired.

I wish to extend the invitation to any member of the Foundry community to apply to the Foundry Newsletter staff. Experience in the Foundry is not required, only an enthusiasm for maps, mapmaking, and the people who make them. Below are all of the positions that we had at one point or another and a brief description of each:

Maps in Development Editor Writes short blurbs about all maps presently in the Foundry, and updates them each issue to reflect new stamps and present development. Highly suggested that more than one person apply to this position.

Editorial Editor Solicits an editorial out of a well-known (or well-spoken) member of the Foundry, or perhaps CC. Topics are typically related to the Foundry, but there were never solid requirements.

Spotlight Editor Picks a map in the Foundry, possibly with input from the rest of the Staff, then compiles an interview question list for the creator(s) of that map. Questions mostly relate to feedback and the map's current direction and details.

A Look Back Editor Picks a recently quenched map, or perhaps one even further back, and compiles an interview question list for the creator(s) of that map. Questions mostly relate to the end result and the process.

Community Perspective Editor Gets some variety of community opinion from the Foundry. This has varied from polls about aspects of the Foundry, to "letters to the editor", to highlighting of good discussions started in Foundry Discussion (it'll always be that in my heart, even if not in name).

Proofreading Editor Spellchecks and proofreads all material of the Newsletter. Map descriptions only need to be done once, A Look Back, Spotlight, and Editorial are the ones most in need of a editing pass.

Layout Editor Compiles all of the segments for each Newsletter and assures that the entire post is ready for a quick copy/paste into the Newsletter topics.

Senior Editor My old post. Makes sure all of the above jobs are being done, sets time schedule for issue release, posts the issue (unless otherwise unable, then informs someone else to do the posting), and posts the headline on the system (I may retain this for the time being, the admins prefer keeping access to that forum at a minimum). Also coordinates with other Newsletter Editors as appropriate.

I plan to stick around for the first issue or two to make sure everyone is comfortable with how things work, so no one who applies will be left in the dark or hung out to dry. If you have any questions whatsoever, PLEASE ask them. Very likely someone else is thinking the same thing and just doesn't want to hit "Post Reply."

EDIT: Got busy with all the details I forgot contact information. D'oh. If you are interested, either PM me or note so in this topic.

Re: The Foundry Newsletter: A Revival?

PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:30 pm
by mibi
maybe you should switch up the format some how. sometimes new blood into old roles doesn't make anything fresh again.

you should let people come up with their own ideas for the newsletter and then get'r done.

Re: The Foundry Newsletter: A Revival?

PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:50 pm
by TaCktiX
That idea does have a lot of merit now that I look at it. Since I am passing this on to whoever wishes to work on it, it's not really my call for what stays and what goes. Have some fun with what goes into the issue, methinks.

Re: The Foundry Newsletter: A Revival?

PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:37 pm
by captainwalrus
If there is to be an effort in redesigning the newsletter, I would be more than willing to help. Just throwing that out there. I don't really have the time or connections or whatever to lead the effort myself, but I can write whatever needs to be written. Just drop me a PM!

Re: The Foundry Newsletter: A Revival?

PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:39 am
by MrBenn
If there are more people interested, feel free to drop a comment in this thread, or get in touch with me (or Tacktix) over PM.

With a blank canvas to start from, I think this could be a really good opportunity for people to get more involved, and could act as a springboard for some of the "not maps" projects/events that are floating in the ether.

Let's try and get this boat back on the road ;-)