NightSkyGuy
newbie
Reged: 12/12/06
Posts: 4
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folks...
you've probably heard that Rick Fienberg has left as S&T's Editor in Chief and that Bob Naeye is taking the editorial reins. Bob is a great guy and will lead the magazine ably. he worked with us for a couple years before taking a job at NASA-Goddard, and he was an editorial intern at S&T in 1991. so he knows S&T and its team well.
New Track Media used this transition as an opportunity to restructure our editorial operation, and my position as Executive Editor was eliminated. June 6th was my last day as a full-time staffer. (just to be clear, my departure wasn't a consequence either of Rick's leaving or of Bob's hiring.)
but don't fret: I'll continue to be a part of the S&T mix, as Senior Contributing Editor. so you'll still see my contributions in S&T's print and online offerings for the foreseeable future. it's a long-term arrangement that will occupy me half time. and, for now, I'll continue to be involved in all the creative roles you're used to seeing me in: writing about planetary science, space exploration, light pollution, and the amateur-astronomy community at large.
what I'll do with the other half is TBD. I plan to become even more involved in the fight against light pollution, both through the International Dark-Sky Association and as an individual... I'll do more freelance writing... and my wife reminds me that there's no shortage of projects around the house!
this change presents me with both challenges and opportunities. I've been on the S&T staff for 34 years, so this transition to self-employment will be a completely new experience. I'll say this much: I sure won't miss the workday commute or getting up at 5:30 to beat the traffic!
in any case, you'll still be able to contact me here or through my existing S&T email address (kbeatty@skyandtelescope.com).
clear skies,
Kelly
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o1d_dude
o1der than dirt
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 1200
Loc: The Big Tomato, California
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Welcome to CN, Kelly.
Sorry to hear of the changes you're experiencing but as a recently retired person I've to say I've found plenty of things with which to occupy my time...to the point that I use a daily list of priority items needing my "attention". Not sure how I ever got anything done while I was fully employed. Hopefully your experience will be similar.
As with any major life change, the challenge is not in the circumstance but our response to it. It's not the end of the story, it's the beginning of a new chapter.
I've always enjoyed your podcast episodes. I hope they will continue.
CS2U2!
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Kit
"There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys." - Red Green
* A bunch of old ATM stuff that cost me next to nothing
* A bunch of new commercial stuff that cost me an arm and a leg
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photonovore
Moonatic
Reged: 12/24/04
Posts: 2465
Loc: tacoma wa
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Position elimination and a transition to self-employment doesn't sound like any version of a planned retirement i have ever heard of (especially after 34 years of loyal & award winning service). What it sounds like is yet another salary transferred to the New Track Media conglomerate's profit column.
Masthead absences in editorial/art dept. since Feb 2006 when New Track Media LLC took over:
President/publisher position: gone
Executive editor position: gone
Managing editor position: gone
Two of five Senior editor positions: gone
Three of five associate editor positions: gone
One of two assistant editor positions: gone
copy editor position: gone
photo editor position: gone
three of five positions in art & design, gone
One of three contributing photographer positions: gone
But, ya know... "Nothing personal; it's just business." 
and...
Binding: cheapened
Paper: cheapened
Size: shrunk
Spin off magazine, Night Sky: terminated
O'Meara: gone
But in the *plus* column we have:
um....
anyone?
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Mardi
AR-5 ldx75 refractor, 80mm f/11 refractor, 6" eq3 RFT, ETX-70.
Whitepeak Lunar Observatory Website
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BobinKy
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 882
Loc: Country road
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Kelly--
The fight against light pollution may become your most noble project--and the most challenging.
Thank you for all of your contributions over the past four decades.
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Bob
38° Kentucky, USA
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NightSkyGuy
newbie
Reged: 12/12/06
Posts: 4
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Mardi...
> But in the *plus* column we have:
> um....
I would list the continued existence of S&T.
it's been a rough few years for publications, and we at S&T are not immune. many of the belt-tightening changes you note would have happened even without the magazine's sale.
clear skies,
Kelly
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 20977
Loc: North Texas
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Kelly, thanks for the heads-up. Maybe as part of your new-found free time  , you'll also get a chance to hang out here on CN just a bit. I know your experience and knowledge would be very welcome to all of our members...and perhaps you might find our Light Pollution forum a good place to give and get ideas in your fight against that pesky problem.
In any event, best of luck to you as you go through this transition and consider all the exciting opportunities ahead of you! 
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Steph
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory 
HansenAstro | CN Member Websites
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 3978
Loc: Inner Solar System
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Quote:
Mardi...
> But in the *plus* column we have:
> um....
I would list the continued existence of S&T.
it's been a rough few years for publications, and we at S&T are not immune. many of the belt-tightening changes you note would have happened even without the magazine's sale.
clear skies,
Kelly
And many probably wouldn't have. I doubt that William Sheehan and Roger Sinnott (and now you, Kelly) would have been cut if the health of the magazine were a major concern. (As I understand things, Sheehan wasn't even notified - just dropped from the masthead!) I have the distinct impression that we are seeing a product squeezed for the last dollar before being discarded.
If the new management of S&T continues to divest itself of everything that made it what it was, its continued existence is very much in doubt. S&T used to be like a bunch of observing buddies, and spoke directly to the amateur. To me! Now, the faceless corporation is sacking everyone I "knew", and the quality of the magazine has been nosediving in every area. S&T now has what, about 50% of the circulation that Astronomy magazine has? How did that happen?? S&T used to be the undisputed champ of American astronomy magazines. Now it's become a shadow of itself. I never thought I'd be looking for a substitute, but I am now.
In fairness: I suspect the climate at S&T has become one of fear, and I certainly can't blame the remaining staff if the work has suffered. But still, the quality goes down while the price stays up. Not a combination that evokes optimism or continued loyalty. 
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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
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desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28736
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
Mardi...
> But in the *plus* column we have:
> um....
I would list the continued existence of S&T.
Yup. Can't maintain the "quality" of a publication that has ceased to exist.
As for all the rest, if you're cool with this, 'nuff said.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
amateur: [ama-cher, -ter, am-uh-tur]–noun 1. a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons.
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 13251
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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Well, eliminating the exorbitant salary of Mr. Beatty will surely go a long way toward saving/improving the publication, won't it Kelly.  
In all seriousness though, I think the light pollution fight could do with a lot more pictoral examples of bad lighting vs. good lighting. Sadly, there aren't many places (yet) to get a good "before-after" set for direct comparison, but please do keep this in mind as you proceed. I think anyone presented with a good many examples of bad, glaring light, replaced with well shielded, or indirect lighting, would immediately see the value. 
Soldier on, Mr Beatty. 
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- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike
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chexmix
sage
Reged: 12/01/04
Posts: 335
Loc: Arlington, MA, USA
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Quote:
In fairness: I suspect the climate at S&T has become one of fear, and I certainly can't blame the remaining staff if the work has suffered.
I hope this is not the case. I have been through this process (in a large media company which I will not name) and it is not fun. I remember how we all used to dread Fridays and wonder where the ax was going to fall next. It was toxic.
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8" Discovery DHQ
Celestron C102-HD
9x63 Orion mini-giants
(2) Frontally-placed visual organs, incl. lens, vitreous/aqueous humors, assorted rods, cones.
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Scott Regener
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/31/06
Posts: 824
Loc: SE Minnesota
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I had the chance to compare the June issues of both magazines (S&T through the mail, a checked-out cope of Astronomy from the library) and have to say that for me, S&T was still the clear winner. O'Meara was a big loss, but Levy, Seronik, French and others do an excellent job. I won't be jumping ship any time soon...
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Orion SkyQuest 4.5XT
Orion SkyQuest XT10i w/COL
Urban (red) skies
Limiting Mag 3.5-4.0 Average
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Wilsonman
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/30/07
Posts: 754
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As someone who has issues of S&T from every decade back to the 50's, I wish for the publication to be successful and available far into the future. I've had my little quibbles with its evolution over time, but it remains a wonderful resource and a publication of great beauty.
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Jay_Bird
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/04/06
Posts: 660
Loc: Nevada 36N 115W
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Just want to say thanks for "the new solar system" which I've been reading lately, and your many other past efforts. Hope to see your contributions regularly in S&T and at CN.
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'these things stand like stone - kindness in another's troubles, courage in your own' Gordon
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kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 1825
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Welcome to CN!
Fred
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Trinity College - Cambridge England
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TomC10
sage
Reged: 12/21/04
Posts: 206
Loc: Land of Enchantment
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Quote:
S&T used to be like a bunch of observing buddies, and spoke directly to the amateur. To me!
This may be an inevitable progression, enthusiasts to success to big money to uninspired corporate profit center.
If you want a new career challenge.. find a format that satisfies the observers and enthusiasts of today. From many threads at CN there is an unserved demand in this community. How to do it.. 
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------
Tom C
C10 NGT
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chexmix
sage
Reged: 12/01/04
Posts: 335
Loc: Arlington, MA, USA
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Quote:
Just want to say thanks for "the new solar system" which I've been reading lately, and your many other past efforts. Hope to see your contributions regularly in S&T and at CN.
_The New Solar System_ has long had a place of honor on my shelves, and I hope to see a new ed. some sunny day! 
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8" Discovery DHQ
Celestron C102-HD
9x63 Orion mini-giants
(2) Frontally-placed visual organs, incl. lens, vitreous/aqueous humors, assorted rods, cones.
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Dave Mitsky
Postmaster
Reged: 04/08/02
Posts: 5538
Loc: Pennsylvania, USA
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Kelly,
Good luck in your new endeavors!
I happen to know Bob Naeye, who is a lifetime member of ASH, and have heard him speak a number of times both at ASH meetings and star parties. The magazine is in good hands.
Dave Mitsky
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Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
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JupiterJons
member
Reged: 05/04/06
Posts: 12
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I stopped at Borders today to check out the latest Sky & Telescope, since I haven't looked at one in a few months... wow! it was THIN (both content and paper). I almost wept when I thought of all those great intelligent columns and articles of the old Sky & Telescope, written by brilliant astronomers, both professional and amateur. I have an S&T from 2000 on my desk right now (been planning a double star run). Over 150 pages! And the articles didn't treat me like I was a moron. If anything, those older issues made you "stretch" to be a better observer and amateur astronomer. This latest issue took me 15 minutes to look through and other than the short article about building your own break-down 'scope, there just wasn't much meat at all, especially compared to what we used to get. So sad...
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