Harold,
 
I apologize for not being precise in my initial note on this topic.  The major concern I have is that nothing short of highly critical projects will direct IT effort away from the needs of MVP.  The most basic of these needs appears to be to modernize MVP operations to the point at which they no longer are so labor intensive.
 
I won't go into the litany of tasks where MVP has failed to meet reasonable member expectations this past year alone.  Nonetheless, in my mind it is becoming increasingly apparent that IT should be used only for tasks that meet an existing, major need such as improving a faulty member service.
 
Regarding the Editorial Department, editorializing is their job.  If they can add an online QST to their existing duties with creating any glitches, this is fine.  I do not believe the situation with IT is similar.  For starters, IT is down in strength. 
 
The bottom line for me is that as much of IT's resources as are not involved in fulfilling other critical needs should be assigned to support MVP.  The only provision to this generalization that would seem warranted is that the number of IT personnel assigned to modernize MVP do not get into each others' way in providing this support.  As much as I support the concept of an online QST and  of you investing time to explore how best we might make one available to our members, I cannot support devoting precious IT resources to it until such time as the shortcomings of MVP are resolved.
 
Jim
 
 
Jim Weaver, K8JE
Director, Great Lakes Division
5065 Bethany Rd.
Mason, OH 45040
Tel. 513-459-1661; e-mail K8JE@arrl.org
ARRL:  The reason Amateur Radio Is
Members:  The reason ARRL is
 

From: arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Kramer, Harold, WJ1B
Sent: 22 June, 2011 11:43 AM
To: arrl-odv@arrl.org
Subject: [arrl-odv:20010] FW: Re: Digital QST Survey

 

I sent this email this morning directly to Jim in response to his message.  Sorry, I forgot to cc the entire ODV list.  Here it is.

 

73,

Harold

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Jim,

 

 

The digital edition of QST will not require much involvement by MVP or IT.  In fact,  MVP will have little to no involvement except for their usual editorial responsibilities for QST.  The impact will be on the editorial department and, if we start with a replica edition, that will be minimal. I believe that the question was discussed at the A & F Committee Meeting during my presentation. 

 

As far as IT work goes, the digital edition will be hosted on the vendor’s platform.  The vendor will create the digital edition using the same digital files as our printer.  IT is not involved in that process.  Some minimal IT work will need to be completed to add a page to the Website that refers a signed-in user to the digital edition.  Another page, or functional element, may have to be created that  offers a monthly notification option for members.  Some additional work will be required to connect the digital rights management (DRM)  system.  I asked Jon Bloom about the amount of work required to connect the DRM system. He provided me this statement that I added to the PowerPoint presentation that was given at the A &F Committee meeting.    “The ARRL IT Department has discussed security with the two vendors identified and has concluded that there are user-access solutions from each that will provide adequate security and that can be implemented with moderate effort on the part of ARRL IT.”

 

If you have any other questions, please let me know.  I will be reviewing the status of this project at the July A & F Committee meeting.

 

73,

 

Harold

 

 

Harold Kramer, WJ1B

ARRL Chief Operating Officer

860 594 0220

From: arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Jim Weaver K8JE
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:43 PM
To: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B; arrl-odv
Subject: [arrl-odv:20004] Re: Digital QST Survey

 

Harold,

 

Are the operations at HQ (most particularly those in MVP) in good enough shape to consider adding work to support a digital form of QST now and in the near future?  I would suggest we not take effort from drawing IT effort away from upgrading DXCC and all the other tasks MVP supports until these tasks are run smoothly throughout the year.  This past year, in my opinion, has been an extremely rocky year for MVP regarding the VUCC, DXCC, clubs and possibly additional programs that have proven to be so difficult to make appropriately functional.  MVP's tasks seem to deserve more IT support than we can give to them in the near future.  This would seem to be especially true with IT being down in personnel at this moment and at least functionally into the foreseeable few months as new members of the IT staff become fully skilled in ARRL needs..

 

I apologize for missing the discussion over "digital QST" at the last A&F meeting, but am I not correct that internal IT is and will remain involved with this project?

 

Tnx,

 

Jim

 

 

Jim Weaver, K8JE

Director, Great Lakes Division

5065 Bethany Rd.

Mason, OH 45040

Tel. 513-459-1661; e-mail K8JE@arrl.org

ARRL:  The reason Amateur Radio Is

Members:  The reason ARRL is