AA Ezine?

[-Wraith-]

I got an idea after reading the thread about airsoft magazines and I started thinking ( I know, scary huh? ).
Anyways, I got a web host, I used to be big on web design, maybe if Paco or Harley (or anyone for that matter) could buy a domain name you guys could all work on an AA online magazine?
Just an idea.

[Harley]

Nice idea but what would you put in this ezine that isn't already posted here?  Seems redundant to me.

[Lightning_Man]

The growth and developement of the sport will eventually need to be supported by a good magazine.

That magazine will need to provide several things, but mostly, will need to provide event coverage, and event related issues (scenario idead etc...) in order to promote the hobby. Tutorials, and stuff like that will be less important since they are all over the internet.

That said, for those who think that an airsoft magazine would be redundant, the bounty of firearms related informatrion online hasn't managed to kill off the half a dozen assorted gun rags that pollute the shelves in my grocery store, despite most of those magazines being trash.

[busta_cap]

The growth and developement of the sport will eventually need to be supported by a good magazine.

That magazine will need to provide several things, but mostly, will need to provide event coverage, and event related issues (scenario idead etc...) in order to promote the hobby. Tutorials, and stuff like that will be less important since they are all over the internet.

That said, for those who think that an airsoft magazine would be redundant, the bounty of firearms related informatrion online hasn't managed to kill off the half a dozen assorted gun rags that pollute the shelves in my grocery store, despite most of those magazines being trash.

But it sure is good just for the pics of the new stuff, or even the old rekindled.

[Harley]

I'm not saying an Airsoft magazine would be redundant, just one coming from Airsoft Arizona would be.  There already is an Airsoft Magaine out there called fps and you can get it at www.fpszine.com

[azsarge]

The growth and developement of the sport will eventually need to be supported by a good magazine.

"Sport"?  I see it more as a hobby, and have no problem keeping it from mainstream.  

As long as it's sold more as Mil Sim, rather than "action pursuit", it COULD go somewhere good.  I don't see that happening though.  We need to keep it to ourselves in it's infancy, so we can decide it's direction.

Rather than documentation and more info, we need more games! People need to go out and play more!

[-Wraith-]

This would attract people rather than sorting through threads, give forum members something to do, like writing articles, reviews, etc. We could really promote AA to an even more respectable platform by having our own online magazine, not for sale, just for viewing for free.

[Harley]

You can do all that now... what would be the difference?

[azsarge]

In addition, how would that improve the gameplay if no one ever went to games?

Rather than all this behind-the-PC crap, go out and play.  Better the "sport" that way.

Let's not turn airsoft into a geekfest.  Let's remember just exactly what it's about!  The fun, the sun, and the recreation!

[Harley]

We could really promote AA to an even more respectable platform by having our own online magazine, not for sale, just for viewing for free.

AA already has a very good respectable name in the Airsoft community.  Just ask anyone that has attended a major event and they'll tell you.  Arizona has always done it's best to do so.   An online ezine isn't going to do squat to add to that.  If you have a review you'd like to write up or an article to post then go for it.  We always welcome that sort of thing here.

[-Wraith-]

I'm not doubting AA's respect, thats why I said increase it even more, however, some people don't want to sort through a forum, AA doesn't have a site that has information laid out, some people don't want to sort through endless posts filled sometimes with useless information (depending on the poster). I'm just saying, it would be a fun project, Harley, would it be possible that I could talk to Paco and maybe he'd give me permission to do it? I mean, it can't hurt. It can only help, it would look professional etc.

[busta_cap]

Most of us are trying to keep airsoft in Arizona OUT of the mainstream, there is nothing wrong with friends of players getting involved, but the general public can be a problem. Airsoft is already getting a bad rep with people misusing airsoft guns.

I agree with Sarge on one thing, it’s a hobby not a sport. I think that airsoft should be kept more like a good secret, and those responsible and mature enough to get involved can. Even if someone "stupid" gets to an official or non official game, they will quickly be booted and asked to never come back.

If you want to create your own site by collecting and using already posted information with the correct permission, good luck to ya. If you are gonna do reviews and articles, go all the way and do it right. I did a full, lengthly, and quite professional review of the KJW Para Ord P14.45 and posted it here and got accepted at Arniesairsoft. Here's a link:

http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/?filnavn ... review.htm

[Harley]

Go ahead and give Paco a shout and see what he has to say.  The only problem I see right now is that he'll want to review anything that you put the AA name on before it gets posted and he's been pretty busy with his new job so you could be waiting quite some time.

How do you plan to mange this ezine so that as it builds with more and more articles/reviews so that people don't have to sift through countless pages to find what they want?  To me it doesn't sound any easier than coming here, performing a search, (yes that's right the little search feature up above that nobody bothers to use) and going from there?  If you build it they will come... hopefully.

[-Wraith-]

I agree and disagree, if airsoft is kept a secret, then the masses won't know and will think we're using real guns. We can control the majority of airsofters if they want to play with AA, then they have to follow the rules. If we put AA out there and say "Hey, we play for fun and for the thrill of a mil sim, we don't do drive bys or bring these to school, we responsibly use them" then we gain respect from the public, and when someone is miss using an airsoft gun, they can call the police and notify them instead of giving the police a gun scare. I really think the positive out-weigh the negative here.

[busta_cap]

I agree and disagree, if airsoft is kept a secret, then the masses won't know and will think we're using real guns. We can control the majority of airsofters if they want to play with AA, then they have to follow the rules. If we put AA out there and say "Hey, we play for fun and for the thrill of a mil sim, we don't do drive bys or bring these to school, we responsibly use them" then we gain respect from the public, and when someone is miss using an airsoft gun, they can call the police and notify them instead of giving the police a gun scare. I really think the positive out-weigh the negative here.

If you call the police and say anything about a gun being real or not, that person is in deep shit. The masses are already big enough. I can't tell you how many idiots I hear at school say how their friend was shooting them with a GBB or a spring rifle. When i was in an airsoft retail store a while back I saw some "kid" ask to see a M93R, when he was handling it he shot off a burst of air while it was pointed at one of the employee's. I could tell just by the way he looked he was a punk. Those are the kind of people I would like not to hear about airsoft or get involved, AA or not.

There was also another couple "adults" in there that day too that were handing guns, pointing them at each other. The employee did the right thing; he asked them to stop and put the guns down, if they didn't they were going to be asked to leave. Some people are just f*cking idiots. Simple as that!