Orbiter Magazine Article Submissions

[Columbia42]

The goal of Orbiter Magazine is to be an informative and entertaining way of keeping up with what's going on in the Orbiter world. The target audience is mostly fellow Orbinauts, especially those who don't have time to check the forums very often but still want to keep up with what's going on. These are the types of articles that the magazine will most likely include:

-Tutorials (originals, reviews of existing ones, etc.)
-Interviews (this one is a maybe and depends on logistics and things)
-Addons (development news, reviews, etc.)
-Orbiter screenshots
-Spaceflght/Astronomy news
-Resource guides (for addon developers, etc.)
-News about VSAs, OFSS, etc.
-Q&A
-Anything else anyone feels like writing about.

So if anyone feels like writing an article for the magazine, please PM it to me. You can use the above sections as sort of rough guidelines as to what to write about. If you want to contribute to the magazine in another way (graphic design, layout, editing) please let me know on the general discussions thread here: http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=23874.

 

[Mojave]

Can I include articles from my VSA "HASSESA" from time to time?

 

[RisingFury]

Please no VSA news. VSA news make the puppy sad:

 

[Columbia42]

To quote Rising Fury,

Yea, I can see it already:

This month in Orbiter Magazine: The rise and fall of 24 VSAs!

However, if you feel that you can write a good article about a VSA then go ahead and submit it.

 

[agentgonzo]

However, if you feel that you can write a good article about a VSA then go ahead and submit it.

The only VSA article that would be worth reading would be for a VSA that's been running for AT LEAST a year with regular missions. Most of them start, design patches and one mission and the never get updated.

I've only seen two VSAs that are worth mentioning (but apologies if there are more I missed because I just don't care about VSAs):

• The one started years ago by Orbitnaut Pete to create the orbiter Space Station. I think this has folded (see above) but had some good goals, good missions (based on building requirements rather than "I want to fly").
• Gary's private one, which is still going.

 

[luki1997a]

If you have written an article then it will be good to attach it to PM and send to ky. If he approve it then he should send it to me and I'll do the graphical stuff.

If you are writing an article:
-do it in MS Word or Open Office Write and save to *.doc
-Don't add any graphical effect(for example background images etc.)
-You can use any fonts but its size should be < 20

So: Just plain(or formatted with images) text with no backgrounds.

Good luck!

 

[Columbia42]

If you have written an article then it will be good to attach it to PM and send to ky. If he approve it then he should send it to me and I'll do the graphical stuff.

If you are writing an article:
-do it in MS Word or Open Office Write and save to *.doc
-Don't add any graphical effect(for example background images etc.)
-You can use any fonts but its size should be < 20

So: Just plain(or formatted with images) text with no backgrounds.

Good luck!

Correction: ky is no longer managing the magazine (at least for now) so any article submissions should be sent to me.

 

[theflyingfish]

I apologize for the very stupid question, and I realize that I should know this by now, but what is a VSA? What does VSA stand for, and why are they so hard to maintain?

 

[ky]

Virtual Space Agency.They are hard to maintain because of all the work that has to be put into it to get a good result.People want to just get all the missions done,or care about having a certain position in the VSA,that no missions are done.

 

[Mojave]

Don't worry, my VSA posts would be very minimal. BTW: My VSA is Private, has been running a Moon Space Station mission since last year, and is now getting into much more detail as a VSA. Unfortunately, Schoolwork got in the way and we were unable to finish the station.

to confirm this, check my blogs from the very beginning.

P.S. I only get VSA information by the best of people. For privacy, this persons name will not be stated.

 

[martins]

If you really want this magazine to happen, you'll have to make it happen. If you don't get enough contributions, get proactive. See what people have written good articles and blogs on the forum and approach them to see if they want to provide an extended version or sequel for the magazine. Ask authors of noteworthy addons about background information and future plans. Approach people for interviews. Amongst all you managers and directors, get writing yourselves and produce editorials (certainly for the first edition this is essential), reviews, news roundups, etc. In short, all that reporter business. (Just stop short of mobile phone hacking).

 

[ky]

If you really want this magazine to happen, you'll have to make it happen. If you don't get enough contributions, get proactive. See what people have written good articles and blogs on the forum and approach them to see if they want to provide an extended version or sequel for the magazine. Ask authors of noteworthy addons about background information and future plans. Approach people for interviews. Amongst all you managers and directors, get writing yourselves and produce editorials (certainly for the first edition this is essential), reviews, news roundups, etc. In short, all that reporter business. (Just stop short of mobile phone hacking).

Thanks, I was considering using articles that were posted in the articles forum.Lol, no phone hacking.

 

[martins]

Thanks, I was considering using articles that were posted in the articles forum.Lol, no phone hacking.

Well you can't just copy-paste them. There's this thing called copyright :thumbup:

Edit: Even with the author's permission, exactly replicating what is already available here is a bit dull. You'll have to do better than that.

 

[Izack]

Hmm, I've got some free time coming up soon... would an "Orbiter Tourism" feature be a good addition, showing off the great vacation spots in the simulated solar system?

 

[garyw]

Besides, if they can read them in the articles section whats the point of the magazine?

Now an article that builds on an existing article or tutorial would be excellent.

 

[ky]

Hmm, I've got some free time coming up soon... would an "Orbiter Tourism" feature be a good addition, showing off the great vacation spots in the simulated solar system?

Maybe it would be good as an ad,but okay that would be great.

 

[Izack]

Maybe it would be good as an ad,but okay that would be great.

That's what I meant. Just a short thing, written as a mock advertisement with some pictures, fake travel destinations, etc... Eye candy, really. Just throwing ideas out there... :tiphat:

 

[N_Molson]

Maybe a "Screenshot of the Month" contest, using the poll feature, with the best three ones published in the magazine

 

[ky]

Okay.Im working on a CST-100 ad myself.

---------- Post added at 06:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:25 PM ----------

Maybe a "Screenshot of the Month" contest, using the poll feature, with the best three ones published in the magazine

Good idea's,keep them coming!

 

[Eli13]

Maybe a "for dummies" section in the magazine? I recall a "re-entry for dummies" somewhere in the forum. (which is here)

This helped me greatly as a "newbie" and i think a guide like that would be very nice to include for some of the newer, less experienced orbinauts around here.