Happy New Year. Thank you for your support in 1998 and I hope you'll enjoy what we have in store for 1999. While at a trade show, a MagWeb member chatted with us about the fortes and foibles of our service, and made the suggestion that we should take time to let our members know a little bit more about MagWeb--some behind the scenes 'nuts and bolts' news, and so on--and to continue to update members throughout the year. Being a new year, I think it's time to act on that suggestion. I hope the following gives you an idea of MagWeb's progress and direction. Analysis 1998 I'm feeling very positive with our accomplishments of 1998. First, let me dazzle you with some numbers: MagWeb Postings Year Issues News Items Bonus Reviews and Articles Sample Chapters Interviews Battlefield and Travel 1997 143 19 51 15 12 5 1998 229 71 76 22 4 21 As you can see, we went from about 12 issues per month in '97 to over 19 per month in '98! With the exception of "Interviews," we showed equally healthy increases in the other categories. And we added a pair of new MagWeb original items: War Lore (for those that wish to submit articles) and Hall of Heroes (so we can recognize these contributions). And let's not forget we expanded from 44 magazines to 57 through the year. The bottom line: we went from 5,000 articles in our archive to over 10,000 articles! So, content proved king in 1998--and will again in 1999. In addition, we made evolutionary improvements to the navigational look of MagWeb--such as adding a column and pushing the magazines further up the "Master Magazine List" page (less scrolling needed), adding a "Subject Article Posting" feature (to speed up finding new articles on specific topics), and adding a Membership Status Check and Membership Renewal function. You may note that these changes are a direct response to the 1998 survey, where the top three "needs improvement" categories were "more back issues, more magazines, and more articles." #4 was "Better navigation," and #5 was "more issues" (not specified current or back issues). I believe we have addressed these needs and fulfilled such goals, and will continue to do so. Incidently, #6 needs improvement was "nothing wrong at all" (we certainly did that!); #7 was "fix typos" (trying to do better), #8 was Create Index by Topics (done), #9 was "better discussion forum" (not soon, but in long-range plans), and #10 was "better search engine" (again, in the longer range plans). And even though "Better Maps" was down at #13, we've increased our efforts at providing a small and large size (and occasional jumbo size) versions of maps so you can select the speed vs. detail factor. Not to worry: The 1999 survey is being prepared and we will be e-mailing it out on February 1, so you'll have the opportunity to formally rate our efforts and provide other "Needs improvement" ideas, as well as other interesting questions and options. MagWeb Priorities Strategic Plan MagWeb follows a strategic plan I created back in 1996, which focuses on particular objectives. It has had some slight modifications, but we continue to follow it as we build MagWeb. Year 1 (1996 to 1997): Technology. You have to be up and running 24 hours a day, each and every day. Search engine, credit card, discussion, security, and royalty processing must work. It took a little longer than expected, but we've been pretty stable the last year. Year 2 (1998): Content. Convince more magazines to join the coalition, post more issues, add original and bonus articles, chapters, etc., start the "Mall at MagWeb" and really beef up the archive. Year 3 (1999): Marketing/Advertising. Begin public relations campaign to start getting noticed by the general as well as specific topic press, begin advertising, attend trade shows as exhibitor and speaker, and generate awareness in MagWeb and its archive. Year 4 (2000): Value Projects. Release of MagWeb exclusive features. Of course, we do all four items every year, but the focus of the year remains. For example, although technology was the theme of year 1, we certainly went to trade shows and signed up new magazines to the coalition. Likewise, although 1999 is the marketing focus, MagWeb hired a PR company in early 1998 with the idea that it takes a year for a tiny company to get to pick up momentum. Tactical Plans We'll continue the production schedule to keep up the new postings. I'd like to see production go over 20 issues per month, which will drive the cost down to under 25 cents per issue (it's currently 26.1 cents per issue)! We plan to increase the number of MagWeb exclusives as well, including sample book chapters. Next, there's no price increase for 1999. Oh, we thought about it, especially since our credit card account fee doubled, card processing rates jumped, and other rates inched upward. Our archives surpassing 10,000 articles makes the $14.95 for a month "Take a look" too good a bargain. But for at least the first 6 months, MagWeb will remain at current pricing. One thing we didn't implement was a monthly e-mail to let you know what was posted. We tried the less intrusive posting to the newsgroups and forums of interest, but that didn't work as well as I thought. I don't want to spam because I hate getting spam, but I am beginning to think an occasional message is OK. The question will be on the survey. Privacy I've stated it before and I'll state it again. MagWeb does NOT sell, lend, trade, or give away ANY information about our members, visitors who enter our contests, or any one else. 'Nuff said! Things You Can Do to Help Many members contact us to suggest new magazines and newsletters that they'd like to see on MagWeb. Often, we have already contacted the magazines, othertimes, it's a magazine new to us. If you know the publisher, editor, or owner of the magazine, please let us--AND THEM--know that you think they should be on MagWeb. Contacting the editor/publisher is very important. It lets them know about us and helps us gain an introduction. You see, MagWeb grows in a cycle. The more members we have, the more magazines are interested in joining MagWeb. The more magazines, the more members we attract. And so on. And the bottom line is that your membership becomes even more valuable. Review MagWeb for a Newsletter If you are a member of MagWeb, please take some time to write a review of MagWeb--what you find valuable, you like or dislike, how you use the information within. Don't worry about style--just put down the substance. Editors love to get these hands-on reviews, you'll help MagWeb, and you'll help your fellow readers. Write a Letter to the Editor Mention what you found in MagWeb, as well as let the editor know that MagWeb is an important source of information. It's quicker than a review to write, and also important. With e-mail, it is also extremely easy to do. Thank You Again, I would like to thank all of our MagWeb members for their support in 1998 and wish them a happy and healthy 1999. Russ Russ Lockwood CEO MagWeb Military History and Product Publications This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com