Before signing on as editor, I used to look forward to Operations showing up in my mailbox. Nowadays, by the time I see the finished product, the only parts that strike me as new are, of course, the "typos" (that is, errors.) While I beat myself up for printing "you" instead of "your" and so on, you might like a quick look at the way Operations comes together and how you can be a part of it.

All contributions go-by mail, fax, e-mail, or on a diskette-to The Gamers in Homer, unless I've been in touch with you and said, "Send it to me." Sara does the typing and a good job of initial editing. She sends me a package of articles, errata, game ratings, Out Briefs, and product updates. I maintain the contributors' list, track the errata, update the "Clubs & Cons," and prepare the Game Rating Chart from a spreadsheet of your votes Dean compiles. In the case of scenarios and variants, I check to make sure the set-ups make sense, and I keep the rules handy as a touchstone for all articles. I edit the content, draw the diagrams, "paste" everything up, do copy editing, make suggestions for illustrations, and return the guts of the magazine to Homer. Dean then adds the maps, photos, covers, and late-breaking news.

Most articles appear essentially unchanged, since you guys know what an Operations article should be like. If you're unsure about an article idea, write or call to discuss it. Designers' previews and articles on recent games go stale quickly, while rules variants, replays, and analysis pieces work well in any issue. Therefore some articles may sit in the "ready" file for a long time while others show up in print soon after they're written. The point is that even though you submitted a piece a year or more ago and have not seen it yet, I have not forgotten about it.

We reserve the right to edit the material, but I usually use a light hand. In cases where I think a piece needs more reworking, I can contact you. One recent article started as a letter to the editor; I suggested expanding it into a feature and the author followed through. Unlike errata, articles presenting house rules and variants are not "official" rules changes, and the opinions of outside authors about anything from rules to other game publishers to the hobby in general to our current President do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gamers, Inc.

I think the NBS has received less attention than it deserves in Operations, and I'm hoping that the release of Marengo, with the revised NBS rules, will generate some submissions regarding this excellent system.

Thanks very much to all of you who have worked hard on contributions to the magazine. The variety and thoughtfulness of your ideas make up the core value of Operations.

On with the housekeeping. The Gamers Retreat drew such a big crowd this year that we'll have a 50-participant limit next year. The point is to keep the event manageable and give everybody room to play. See my sidebar on page 8 for the details.

The now-traditional Repls and Variants countersheet is going out free to everyone on our mailing list. If you have ordered a game direct from us or sent in a registration card, you should have yours before Christmas. This year's freebie includes breastworks and enhanced extended line markers for CWB games, variant H39 tanks with crummy WWI-era guns for GD'40, and other assorted goodies.

The countertrays turned out to be a disappointment. They don't snap shut tightly enough. Dean has decided to discontinue them in new games. See page 30 for details. Furthermore, there have been a number of changes in the discount and mailing policies, see page 31.

Shirley has a few pragmatic reminders to help ensure you get prompt and accurate service from The Gamers. If you have return-address stickers, use them on your registration cards. Stickers make data entry easier for both you and her. More importantly, be sure to notify us if your address changes. Yes, the Postal Service can forward your mail, for a while. But if your mail comes back for half a year marked undeliverable, you drop off the active mailing list and stop receiving new product announcements, errata updates, and free countersheets.