From: "Kreig McBride" 
To: 
Reply-To: "Kreig McBride" 


In regards to all who have spoken about, or have read the comments
concerning Sky and Telescope Magazine, commercially built telescopes,  and
ATM.

First, the popular telescope magazines (Sky & Tel, Astonomy, etc.)  are
doing an excellent job!!  What would we have without therm???  I would be
very unhappy not to see my monthly issues.   Have you looked at the
thickness of the magazines?  There are many more articles, a much larger
variety then ever before!!! (Yes there are more ads, you get what you pay
for.)

 If you are unhappy with the ATM part of the magazines, then ask yourself
what have YOU done to make a difference?  Have you submitted articles that
are of interest to the ATM group??   Did you continue to support ATMJ
magazine with its wonderfull articles and SUPPORT for ATM's?  Without the
vocal and writtin support of us, as ATMs; not only did ATMJ die but so will
articles about our hobby.  (Gleanings)

In regards to commercial telescopes.  I started out my astronomy hobby with
a commercial scope, and expanded it greatly with one of those dreaded
commercial 8" SCT 's.   My SCT gave me over 20 years of great
observing,
wonderfull memories, and a continued interest in astronomy.   I am greatfull
for the support of the SCT industry for giving great support to all of our
periodicals, a great start to beginners, and continued influx of people
into our hobby.  I truely wonder where our hobby would be without the SCT
industry. There will always be cheap telescopes for sale, so dont badger
the big guys for entering this part fo the market.

I hope no one at a star party is ever treated any differently whether they
have commercial or home made scopes. There are lots of terrible home made
scopes out there, probably a higher percentage of poorly performing home
made scopes then commercial ones. Quit gripeing about the magazines and
quit gripeing about SCT's.  Ask yourself what you have done to improve our
hobby and what you have to to encourage new peolpe inot our hobby.

I do hope, we as ATM's encourage those with commercial telescopes to enjoy
what they see through their scopes, what they can share with us, and how we
can have a common bond of telescopes, observing, and life long friendships.
I learn a lot from newbies and enjoy sharing with them.

Lets all work together to make our hobby a better one.  We have a lot to lose!!!!

Kreig McBride
Bellingham, WA
USA

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-4