Underwater Speleology (UWS)

[Walter Pickel]

I received the most recent Underwater Speleology (UWS) last week and meant to post something.

Once again, I greatly appreciate all those the contributed to the article as well as Beth Murphy putting it together.

There has been much discussion about ending the printed version of UWS due to the costs. I for one, think that my membership dues are well worth paying in order to keep this fine journal in print. It may be a significant item on the CDS P&L but it is what most members (in my discussions) value the most. I am still not sure why so few people that have represented (and still do represent) the entire CDS membership want to put an end to it.

Again, it was great seeing such another great UWS! Thank You!

[fno]

I did not realize there has been any discussion at all about not printing UWS. This discussion took place a year ago and the members voted overwhelmingly (like 88 responses) to keep the print version. It is a large cost to the section and the bottom line is that the membership fee does not cover the printing and mailing of four issues. One of the reasons that we have to raise funds with sales of CDS items. I am in total agreemant that the UWS should continue to be printed. Do we need color on every page? Probably not. There are several ways to get the costs in line with our objective. I recall at the last meeting there was talk of many copies being returned for bad addresses. That has to be fixed today, not tomorrow.

Regards, Frank Ohidy, Director, NSS-CDS.

[WEPIV]

I wanted to say thank you again to Beth for the excellent job she did with the journal.
I always knew when I e-mailed her my photos that she would lay them out perfectly in the magazine -- and that's not something a photographer ever takes for granted.

[gsulliva]

I did not realize there has been any discussion at all about not printing UWS. This discussion took place a year ago and the members voted overwhelmingly (like 88 responses) to keep the print version. It is a large cost to the section and the bottom line is that the membership fee does not cover the printing and mailing of four issues.
Regards, Frank Ohidy, Director, NSS-CDS.

Why not have an additional membership fee for those people that want the printed version that would cover the actual cost. That way we could use our membership fees for cave conservation. Members that don't want the printed version can view it online. Seems like a win win to me.

[Sludge]

Why not have an additional membership fee for those people that want the printed version that would cover the actual cost.

The problem lies with fixed cost/variable cost. As an extreme example, just say it costs $1,000 to set up the presses and a nickel a copy. Two hundred copies would cost $5.05 a copy. But if only thirty people wanted hard copies, they would cost $33.67 each.

[gsulliva]

The problem lies with fixed cost/variable cost. As an extreme example, just say it costs $1,000 to set up the presses and a nickel a copy. Two hundred copies would cost $5.05 a copy. But if only thirty people wanted hard copies, they would cost $33.67 each.

Sounds perfect to me as the cost goes up people will simple want to access the online version and all the money can be used for the caves and not losing money for the CDS.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

..or the CDS loses money if people ditch because they no longer have a printed UWS copy?

[jj1987]

Sounds perfect to me as the cost goes up people will simple want to access the online version and all the money can be used for the caves and not losing money for the CDS.

The CDS buying another cave right now is about as realistic as a wet dream with Miranda Kerr.

[Walter Pickel]

CDS is down to 830 members now. Last I heard the NACD was around 1200. Continuing the same practices as before will only solidify the fact that the CDS will continue to lose members. There isn;t much being done on the cave conservation front (that I am aware of). It would be nice it the Treasurer's report was posted in the UWS or online.

[Walter Pickel]

I didn't start this thread to rehash the printed/non printed version of UWS. Rather it was to compliment Beth, and those involved.

Since there are some discussion points and I feel the CDS is, as intended, a good and need organization. I would like to ask a couple of questions:

If you are a member, why did you join (renew) the CDS?

If you are not a member, what would convince you to join?