View From HQ
A new AMA Web site means more and better-organized information literally at your fingertips
Bringing Modelers Together. I'm sure you've heard that AMA slogan before. I'm pleased to announce that we have launched a newly designed Web site that will do that better than ever. As the kids say, "check it out" at www.modelaircraft.org.
Electronic communications are cheaper, faster, and often better. Our Web site is the hub for all sorts of opportunities for information and interaction. It is a wonderful AMA membership service and value. It is also quickly becoming a window on all things in aeromodeling, or what the IT (Information Technology) folks call a "portal."
What's different besides all the nice colors and pictures? Your Web site has become more than a dry manual of information. It's now driven much more by stories, photos, and interviews that make it read more like a multifaceted publication.
While we're always trying to improve on the status quo, this new Web site is easier to navigate. You asked for a better search function, and now we have a customized, Google-driven site search engine.
The back-end architecture has been upgraded so that your Web site experience will be faster. Programs and membership benefits are no longer buried. The "Documents" section has been reordered with specific disciplines in mind. And the home page is much more friendly to "newbies" and first-timers to our hobby and the Academy.
Those are just some of the new features. And what does it all mean for you, the member?
It means more and better-organized information literally at your fingertips. It means a new emphasis on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and AMA TV, which is AMA's growing library of both HQ- and member-produced videos.
The improved site will feature sections that illustrate answers and success stories relating to common member and club challenges. You'll also have access to "out-take" photos that Model Aviation has commissioned but never printed. Unlike our magazine, our Web site has the capacity for an unlimited amount of words and images.
Coming soon should be improvements in online sanctioning, a special government-relations area outlining our advocacy on your behalf, details of in-depth partnerships with other aviation organizations, and a cavalcade of "history moments" in aeromodeling to celebrate our 75th year.
- Improvements in online sanctioning
- A dedicated government-relations area outlining our advocacy
- Details of partnerships with other aviation organizations
- A cavalcade of "history moments" to celebrate our 75th year
In addition, there is even the possibility of a mobile version of our Web site. I'm not entirely sure what that is, but I'm told that it's the future in Internet applications. Stay tuned! In the meantime, send us your flying stories, your club successes, and opinions about our growing Web presence—electronically, of course.
—Model Aviation
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
