Who has heard of the Cap magazine if so do you like it?
Are you referring to the volunteer magazine?
yep
We've all heard of it because we all get it every month. As far as whether i like it or not, it's alright. I prefered the newspaper though.
Quote from: jeders on November 21, 2008, 05:45:42 PM
We've all heard of it because we all get it every month. As far as whether i like it or not, it's alright. I prefered the newspaper though.
Every two months...
I also preferred the old CAP News.. But, I think Volunteer is better from a recruiting standpoint, it is a lot more asthetically friendly, and easier to just skim through..
How are you going to recruit if non-CAP members never see it? If a member wants a copy to send to their local library, cost is $25, up from $5.
I take mine with me to random places and leave them. I take them along to waiting rooms read them and leave them set.
Dentist, Dr, starbucks, Barnes and Noble. I actually went back to my dentist a few weeks after I dropped one, saw a guy reading it and roped him into coming to a meeting, didn't work out but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
I always mean to drop a contact label on the back but always seem to forget
I leave mine at work but they end up as coasters. :(
We hand them out during recruiting events, in addition to pamphlets and that kind of stuff...
I miss the old CAPNews.
The new magizine doesn't really cover anything I'm intrested in. With the old CAPNews, I feel more actual 'news' was covered about each Region.
Also, I think it's bull that only Spaatz cadets get their names listed in the back.
My copy normally goes right into the recycle pile these days.
Quote from: JThemann on November 27, 2008, 03:11:42 AM
Also, I think it's bull that only Spaatz cadets get their names listed in the back.
I remember back in the day when I got my Mitchell, I couldn't wait for my copy of CAPNews to show up so that I could find my name in the back.
Quote from: jeders on November 27, 2008, 04:06:56 AM
I remember back in the day when I got my Mitchell, I couldn't wait for my copy of CAPNews to show up so that I could find my name in the back.
+1. Same here, haha.
Quote from: Pylon on November 27, 2008, 05:42:58 AM
Quote from: jeders on November 27, 2008, 04:06:56 AM
I remember back in the day when I got my Mitchell, I couldn't wait for my copy of CAPNews to show up so that I could find my name in the back.
+1. Same here, haha.
I still have mine somewhere. Is it really so expensive to put in an extra page or three?
Yes. You don't just add one page, you add them four at a time. This increases the production expense, and the mailing expense.
Quote from: SarDragon on November 27, 2008, 07:15:04 PM
Yes. You don't just add one page, you add them four at a time. This increases the production expense, and the mailing expense.
Fine, try addition by subtraction then. For example, tighten up the layout on articles like the one about Lt. Col. Salos; there's no good reason to waste an entire page on one photo and a headline. The same goes for the two page photo spread opening the Hurricane Ike coverage. There's also the reprint of the PAO Academy ad on page 46 (which added NOTHING to the article) and the crossword on page 51. Getting rid of filler like this would leave plenty of space to recognize the achievements of our members.
Quote from: JThemann on November 27, 2008, 03:11:42 AM
I miss the old CAPNews.
The new magizine doesn't really cover anything I'm intrested in. With the old CAPNews, I feel more actual 'news' was covered about each Region.
I agree: seems to me that the old CAPNews was a bit "meatier" with more news, and less 'rah-rah.'
Here's a thread and a poll that I drew up a little while ago. I still think CAP News was the way to go, every month. It gave me a feeling of ownership into the program when it would mention local squadrons, cadets I knew and of course, the ever present HRO ad in the back every month.
The thread I started. <<--Click here. (http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2701.0)
When you think of it, CAPNews was like the Army or Air Force Times, whereas the Volunteer is like Soldier or Airman Magazine.
Quote from: jeders on November 27, 2008, 04:06:56 AM
Quote from: JThemann on November 27, 2008, 03:11:42 AM
Also, I think it's bull that only Spaatz cadets get their names listed in the back.
I remember back in the day when I got my Mitchell, I couldn't wait for my copy of CAPNews to show up so that I could find my name in the back.
National posts the awards on the National webpage every month. Also the obits.
Quote from: Cecil DP on November 29, 2008, 03:26:59 AM
National posts the awards on the National webpage every month. Also the obits.
Yeah, but nothing like heading into school with a CAP News in your
ruck sack backpack to show everyone in class. It's just more personal.
The old CAP News stunk to high heaven. It rarely had anything like a feature article and basically consisted of reprints of squadron or wing press releases and articles by various national staff members that nobody ever read. I about beat my head against the wall wondering why in the world somebody thought
an article about an SLS class held by Snuff Smith Composite Squadron was worth publisizing to all of CAP.
As usual, you're all full of joy. If you don't like it, it's absolutely the worst idea/product/school/uniform/etc ever.
Quote from: RiverAux on November 29, 2008, 03:43:05 AM
The old CAP News stunk to high heaven. It rarely had anything like a feature article and basically consisted of reprints of squadron or wing press releases and articles by various national staff members that nobody ever read. I about beat my head against the wall wondering why in the world somebody thought
an article about an SLS class held by Snuff Smith Composite Squadron was worth publisizing to all of CAP.
The reason, is because it gave you a sense of attachment to the Program, and to the paper. I'm sure that the Cadets' and SM's of Snuffy Smith Squadron were proud that there SLS was publised.
'Course, we need to get back to more important things, like not discussing how to determine if someone's service in CAP is worth of a pension or not.
QuoteThe reason, is because it gave you a sense of attachment to the Program, and to the paper. I'm sure that the Cadets' and SM's of Snuffy Smith Squadron were proud that there SLS was publised.
Its all about a sense of scale. A national-level magazine should publish articles that could potentially be of interest to be read by the entire membership. An article about an SLS would be great for squadron, group, or wing newsletters, but no one from across the country is going to read beyond "Snuffy Smith Squadron held an SLS...." They certainly are not going to read the several paragraphs containing the names of those who attended. So, for 99.9% of the members, that space was a total waste.
RiverAux you are correct. The idea of the magazine is to appeal to a broad range of the country, both in and out of CAP. The magazine is a "House Organ" and nothing more. It has it's purpose. And that is to put CAP out there in the best light and hopefully impress and recruit a little... The old Cap Newspaper was more like the local/ hometown newspaper with all it's pimples and blemishes.
For the most part the magazine *is* well done. Other than the photo shopping on the cover.. ugh.. don't get me started... It represents CAP in a very good way. I was thinking that Officer was kind of cute.... She's my type... ooops I digress....
The online version of CAP news was intended to take the place of the newspaper. Rather than have it as a list feed, I would have rather see it as an online newspaper such as what Gannet has been doing with all their newspapers. However, that would be a lot of work just to maintain it. that is more money that CAP has to dish out and resources shifted from more important things. Would we benefit from having something in a different online format vs the RSS? Here's a question how many of you actually read the RSS feed from national?
I pull the RSS feed from national onto our Group and Squadron websites. This is automatic so there is no additional work involved. I am trying to figure how I can make it into more of a news layout vs RSS list.
Now the big issue... getting good photos and better stories is a MAJOR issue. I published a newspaper for a radio network for 13 years before they switched to a magazine format. I had a heck of a time getting images and stories, as I am sure CAP is having the same issue.
Until CAP place more emphasis on getting PAO;s who are willing to participate and trained we will always have these issues.
The national PAO academy is a good start but there needs to be more regional. Then again we tried to have a regional academy in NY last month, yet we could only get 8 people who would come to Syracuse! Most were coming from Long Island!!! We could only get one person from the Syracuse area code to come.. how sad is that!?!?!
Quote from: Cecil DP on November 29, 2008, 03:26:59 AM
Quote from: jeders on November 27, 2008, 04:06:56 AM
Quote from: JThemann on November 27, 2008, 03:11:42 AM
Also, I think it's bull that only Spaatz cadets get their names listed in the back.
I remember back in the day when I got my Mitchell, I couldn't wait for my copy of CAPNews to show up so that I could find my name in the back.
National posts the awards on the National webpage every month. Also the obits.
Also the Eaker cadets.