As you may recall, earlier this year I announced that EUG would be produced monthly as from April. So why hasn't this happened? Well, due to my personal circumstances (For full details send three A4 envelopes with £150 postage on each!), I just haven't been able to do it.

I can't see this situation changing in the near future (and it could get worse!) unless someone else thinks they can assume the role of 'Editor/Organiser' and do a more consistent job! Anyone interested?

If anyone is interested, there are a number of points to bear in mind; probably the most important one being that you will not make any money out of it, so don't give up your day job! The other major prerequisites are listed below, in no particular order - they're all pretty much essential:

  1. Time
  2. An understanding spouse/partner/family that will not resent the amount of time you need to spend on the user group (Thanks Alison!)
  3. Lots of time
  4. Space to work and store all letters and documents which accumulate after a very short time
  5. More time
  6. A reliable printer (Access to a photocopier is very handy too!)
  7. Time
  8. Comprehensive disk system (ADFS, DFS, 3.5" and 5.25")
  9. Time
  10. A bank account (often depleted!)
  11. Time
  12. A friendly, reliable postman (Thanks Jim!)
  13. Time
  14. A conveniently sited Post Office
  15. Time
  16. Patience (i.e. "Dear Editor, Why are you such a prat?")
  17. Time
  18. Diplomacy (i.e. "Dear Editor, Why are you such a prat?")
  19. Time
  20. Sense of humour (i.e. "Dear Editor, Why are you such a prat?")
If you think I've overdone it with the "time" factor, give it a try! But if anyone does feel they're up to the job, I'll be happy to ease them into it, I've already made most of the possible mistakes myself so everything should be pretty straight forward.

Anyway, please give it some serious thought. If someone reliable can't be found to take over, I'm not sure what will happen to EUG. At best it could end up as a far less frequently produced disk/newsletter or it might just fizzle out and die. I for one would be very sorry if either of these were to happen.

For the time being, I am continuing to work on EUG #11 when I can, but it will probably take several months to complete.

All potential new editors please contact me - yesterday!!

PS. If the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, all I can say is "Get that pitchfork out of my nostril!"

Will Watts, July 1993