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RMweb is now part of the Warners family


Andy Y

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Well, I've got to the end of reading this - the thread has been growing rapidly (and still is - there's been four new posts added since I started typing).

 

As to the doubters - time will tell, and I am right behind this for a number of reasons This is even bigger than the first mention of RMWEb all those years ago.....

 

1) It is much more likely now that this site will remain viable and sustainable than ever before - much as I have loved the make do and mend financial arrnagements of sending the odd few quid here and there, and donating items for fund-raising, it was unlikely to remain sustainable for ever as the site has grown and grown. I too was in the very early vanguard of the RMWebbers, and remember the days of 400 members, and waiting a day or two for the posts to update with new material.

 

2) I know that Andy has worked tirelessly for years to keep the site running, often in the face of negative comments, and always keeping us posted on how things were progressing - and all for nothing. RMWeb has always been vulnerable in that regard to Andy getting a day job - I knew that there were issues over that in the past, and I also know that if he had taken up employement that it would be to the site's detriment. To sustain and site of this size and complexity AND keep a home life going, AND maintain a day job AND try to build a new exhibition standard layout would have been an impossibility, and in the end, not only would RMWeb have been a casualty, but I suspect that Andy would have wound up so as well.

 

3) I also know that Andy has got very good creative writing skills - from MI 1 and 2, that became evident right away, so this developement will help in that area as well, as he will be able to concentrate more on this side of things.

 

4) I am happy that the assurances that Andy has offered are genuine and will be maintained - I have no doubt at all that as part of negotiations, the independence of the site would have been uppermost in his mind.

 

5) We now have a full time custodian/editor who is doing something that he loves doing, and doing it for a salary - that has to be a positive move.

 

So thanks Andy (I now know what the secretive reference in a PM some time ago meant) - you've played a blinder for years, and you've managed to make it into a long term project which will give you pleasure, income, and security - we get stability, and a long term future for the web's best model railway site.

 

Regards

Stewart

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I can foresee however issues arising in the future if a member or members decry a Warners product/service, but that bridge will have to be crossed when we come to it.

 

As long as any criticism fits within our current rules and guidelines (i.e. not an ill-informed, rude rant) feedback is being welcomed by the team (see recent Readers' Survey topic).

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Congratulations Andy and an ever so slightly cautious thumb up from me. On the whole I think this will be a positive move. Like the new look as well.

 

My sentiments exactly. Personally speaking best wishes to Andy but in the same week I learned that Ian Allan has sold all their magazine titles and with the illustrious and long-serving Railway Magazine also having changed hands fairly recently I am left wondering what's next.

 

I always receive change cautiously. I sincerely hope this move turns out as Andy expects whilst sharing one or two of the lingering doubts about commercialism raised by a few members even if that much is intended to secure the future and development of the site.

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Does this change in any way the Mods and the operation of the admin team?

 

Now that admin management has been placed on a professional footing, do the Mods get brought in to the same deal. Or, as I would hope, they continue to be part of us.

 

I would also never like for us to be seen as customers rather than as simple members. Potential customers, I have no problem with and advertisements are never intrusive when blocked so cause me no concern.

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Does this change in any way the Mods and the operation of the admin team?

Now that admin management has been placed on a professional footing, do the Mods get brought in to the same deal. Or, as I would hope, they continue to be part of us.

 

Please check my earlier post.

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whilst sharing one or two of the lingering doubts about commercialism raised by a few members even if that much is intended to secure the future and development of the site.

 

I understand people having concerns, of course I did too when discussions started and there have been many "How will this work?" questions to get things out in the open along the way. I have been wholly satisfied about 'protecting' and developing the right environment into the future; after all it's to everyone's benefit that the site is as good and strong as possible.

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Until I see how things develop I'm in the mixed feeelings camp...

 

Obviously it is positive to put the forum on a more sound financial footing, but so often with such tie-ups there can be a 'lowest common denominator' outcome, which I really hope Andy can avoid by ensuring the magazine and forum keep clear and seperate identities, and a risk of bias (whether real or percieved and whether intentional or not).

 

With specific reference to Warners;

Firstly, thinking back to the recent 'future of magazines thread', of the big 4 UK mags it was BRM that people seemed to have the most doubt about being around in its current form in ten years. If some were not confident of Warners long term commitment to what is just one of a string of titles they publish, can we have anymore confidence in their long term commitment to a forum? (dare we suggest BRM be quietly dropped in favour of a fully fledged on line mag developed from Modelling Inspiration???)

 

Secondly, the BRM shows aren't known among the modelling community for being the best organised. Fiscally I'm sure they are soundly run but compared to most 'club shows' in terms of layout/trade stand selection; hall layout; hospitality for exhibitors it really shows that they are not run by modellers but by 'professional organisers' with different perspectives and priorities. Perhaps this is an oportunity to recruit more modeller input to the shows?

 

Paul

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Great news Andy, you must delighted with this positive (IMHO) move towards the sites future and development.

 

I wrote and published a small engineering web site for 10 years until it simply became too time consuming and expensive for a family man with a full time job, so I can fully appreciate the relief and joy you must be feeling that the hard work has at last been recognised in a practical manner.

 

Personally, I welcome the new and secure future for RMweb .

 

regards

Stewart

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Firstly, thinking back to the recent 'future of magazines thread', of the big 4 UK mags it was BRM that people seemed to have the most doubt about being around in its current form in ten years. If some were not confident of Warners long term commitment to what is just one of a string of titles they publish, can we have anymore confidence in their long term commitment to a forum? (dare we suggest BRM be quietly dropped in favour of a fully fledged on line mag developed from Modelling Inspiration???)

 

Although not wishing to blur any lines here about what the magazine is and what RMweb is I could see perceptions in that topic which (although they could be considered as reality to the individual) that were wholly different to discussions I was having as part of this process and I did my homework too.

 

Within Warners there is currently a very strong commitment to progress and develop, their business is in good health and they were looking to the future. In this context they took an initiative before others did and I have nothing but praise for their interest in and commitment to the future of the hobby, not just their magazine. Their commitment to the RMweb 'brand' is very strong.

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As long as any criticism fits within our current rules and guidelines (i.e. not an ill-informed, rude rant) feedback is being welcomed by the team (see recent Readers' Survey topic).

Like I said though Warner Leisure are a good company to work with, I'll look forward to seeing the Rmweb stand at the Western Motorhome Show in August.

 

 

Thanks for the answer Andy, I will now go forth into the world and resume my normal service.

 

 

:stinker:

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Congratulations Andy, I am sure you must be relieved to have a secure future both for RM Web and yourself.

 

I look forward to the future with confidence.

 

David

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OK, brilliant news for Andy, and I'm dead "chuffed"(sorry) for you, Hope you are putting in an overtime claim for your 7 am start! I do share some others' concerns about commercialism, but we live in a real world.

 

In the past several people on here have been critical of Warner's shows, implying that they have abused the co-organising clubs, and being mean with exhibitors' expenses. Nobody forced them into it though, did they?

 

As far as I am concerned the Warner's shows have been amongst the best because they have been in brilliant venues, and not been so crowded that things are hard to see.

 

I am aware that the BRM site and forum have changed lately, has this been due to the forthcoming merger/take-over? I presume there will be some rationalisation of the different web formats.

 

Any way, well done again, and the very best for the future!

 

Ed

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Guest jim s-w

I had a dream job once. Turning my love of illustration into my income. Ended up hating it and haven't drawn anything for over a decade since I left. It takes a special kind of person to do their hobby for a living an that wasn't me.

 

I don't mean to sound negative here but I think it important that Andy bears this in mind from the outset to avoid ending up disillusioned with both. (although I do think andy can pull it off)

 

Cheers

 

Jim

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After noticing the West Ham theme it took me a while to read to the end of the thread, so I'll just add I'm very pleased for Andy and I'm sure he will continue to provide us all with an informative (and fun!) resource.

Tony

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Hi Andy,

 

I always wondered how you were able to devote so much time to this fantastic web-site!

Thanks for all your efforts in the past and all best wishes for the next phase of RMWeb - glad your hand will still be on the tiller and that your financial situation is secured.

 

Bazza

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I'm sure Andy has done what Andy needed to do but It's very difficult to see how Warners are going to make any money from their investment if so little is going to change on RMweb. They will be making all the right noises just now but rest assured things will have to change before too long as commercial realities start to kick in.

 

Much as Warners 'Festival' exhibitions are 'spot the layout amongst all the competing and duplicated trade stands', RMweb will probably become a 'spot the posting amongst all the competing and duplicated trade adverts' web forum, with the choice of paying a subscription to get ad free content.

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Congratulations and well done Andy. I have admired the way you have administered this forum....and kept you're cool. I am also a strong supporter of Warners and their exhibitions as well as being a subscriber to their publications. I strongly believe that yours and their commitment to the railway modeller will now go from strength to strength and if I can personally be of any to assistance to you and Warners in the future... it will be a pleasure.

Best Wishes

Grahame

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Good News for you Andy:

I have now gone back on social security after being dismissed from a job that was not totally suitable for me so I know how it feels to be job hunting and balancing the personal books. If you are down at Alexander Palace let me know as I hope to be there on a swapmeet plank. Perhaps Warners can give you a corner of the stand and call it Pedants Corner just a thought :rolleyes: . Does this mean any future RMweb modelling completions will be in conjunction with Warners and not Model Rail or is the door open to them. I wish you the best of luck with it and look forward to the updates and improvements.

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Well, frankly, RMweb could be owned by the Omicronians from the planet Omicron Persei 8, but if this means that we have a continued quality outlet for our collective ramblings, assistance and advice, then I'm all for it!

 

Thank you Andy, and good luck with the next stage in RMweb's development!

 

Tom.

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