Editorial

It seems that the word of the month is "change," so the RAG fits right into that bag as we launch yet another version of our publication. There's nothing political about the RAG's change, however -- it's simply because I need to find a less demanding way to continue publishing the RAG while confronting serious health issues.

As many of you know, the decision to convert the subscriber-based Online Rag to a free website-based publication was a sudden one, made in late November when medical tests confirmed that I needed to lighten my administrative workload. But, to complicate matters, we were tackling this new format during the holidays when time is at a premium. Luckily, I have the most dedicated webmaster in the world -- Jeff Holman, who dove into the project and came up with a really wonderful user-friendly design in record time. Like Dave Lindquist of ProType Design, who created the beautiful PDF RAGs we published in 2007, Jeff has endless ideas -- more, in fact, than I can actually absorb. So, we're concentrating on establishing a basic design this month, and adaptations, bells and whistles will follow later under Jeff's direction. Please let us know what works for you and what doesn't.

I'm happy to say that Dave Lindquist will remain associated with the RAG. Both he and Jeff have been unbelievably supportive, and their enthusiasm for the RAG's mission has kept me going when I could feel my battery running low. .

Because of the time crunch, this issue is coming out later than we had hoped, but we'll be able to catch up as the year progresses. As before, the RAG will be a monthly with most of the same columns and departments. Unlike before, you won't be able to print out a magazine-like issue, but you can easily print out as many or as few pages as you wish, using the same techniques as you do with other websites. (Just remember to print in landscape mode!)

A major difference between this and previous RAGs is that it's free and will need to be completely supported by advertising revenue and sales from our online Rag Store (back issues, Ultimate Festival Guides, posters, T-Shirts, and, coming soon, a 34-year index of the print and PDF Rags). This first issue includes ads from terrific advertisers who've stayed with us through thick and thin. Other advertisers recently contacted us for space, but we were still determining ad sizes and rates and couldn't move fast enough to include them this time around. Watch for some very enticing ads from both established and new advertisers next month.

Although this issue contains our usual free listings, there will be changes in future issues, primarily in the "Onstage" section. Since 1973, the RAG has spent countless hours culling through newsletters in order to compile extensive listings promoting musicians and events, but that process needs to be streamlined now. The RAG is happy to list events, but now all musicians, jazz clubs and producers are asked to submit concise information that can be easily converted into our listings -- essentially name, date, place and contact information. (Many listees already do this, and I'm very grateful for that.)

I can't end this editorial without thanking the many subscribers who've contacted me with caring e-mails, letters and phone calls. You've been patient and loyal over the years, and you've made it clear that you love the RAG. You are the reason I have chosen to continue publishing the RAG. So, hold onto your hat! We're entering the third life of the RAG!

Warm regards,

Editor/Publisher

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Editorial