We are planning to start sending out regular newsletters via email and would like to know what our community would prefer. The newsletters will probably be sent out once every month or two.

There are two parts to this poll. Please indicate your preference in both parts of the poll.

I think the newsletter should be as inclusive as possible with all the different categories listed above. I do think publishing a newsletter on a monthly basis is over ambitious. I would try for 3-month intervals. Sure you might have a lot to write about now but will you have the same next month and every month thereafter. There might be times like right after releasing a new game and/or version of a previous game that you might want to send a newsletter.

Rather than have game reviews, what about links to game reviews at other sites?

Personally, I would like to see a column for LDW Personnel. We would be able to get to know you all a little better too. Of course, we don't want it to be too personal but just to know you a little better would be nice.

Whatever you all chose will be fine, I'm sure.

a news letter would be a good idea. Sometimes I search for info on ldw and with my own newsletter in my mail I could find what I was looking for quicker.

I agree with both the above....newsletters should be informative and (dare I say?....exciting), so not too often. And, busy as you undoubtedly are, I wonder whether you would have the time to write monthly editions? Still, whatever you find feasible!

I think the newsletter should include a little bit of everything. And like the above I think every couple of months would be fine!! It'll keep it more interesting. The other newsletters I receive once a month are a bit boring because it's like there is nothing new in a lot of them. It becomes monotonous. If you send it out every couple of months I think it will allow for more new information and keep readers interested.

I would like all news, info etc and the game tips as long as there is a warning so we don't read the game tips if we don't want to!

The newsletter should be brief, with links to longer articles. Also it would be great if you could do a "click here to view as web page" version. Mac users like me generally can't see html emails properly, which is why I voted for text. But it's also nice to be able to see the newsletter online, as a webpage.

Same here and there could be a link to a separate webpage so those like you who don't want to read game tips needn't do so unless you decide to do so :).

I agree with other posters that a newsletter every two months is enough. I signed up a few months ago for several computer and games newsletters. They come so often (some of them two or three times a week) that I don't have time to read them all and I'm seriously considering cancelling most of them.

How do I get on your mailing list? I have signed up for the news letter but I never saw the survey thing. I haven't received anything since 1/1/07 when I registered and that was just a thanks for signing letter.

The newsletter hasn't been sent out yet. If you signed up for the newsletter, you will start receiving it once it starts up.

I'm old-fashioned and don't like HTML emails for security reasons. I've got Outlook set to show all emails as plain text. If you do decide to send out HTML emails, please make sure they read comprehensibly in plain text, unlike those sent out by Amazon (to name just one particularly bad offender). As istara suggested, a web page version would be good.

How about doing a spotlight on one of the employee's/owners as well? Maybe not every news letter but at least one each qtr.

If you sent out a newsletter in full-fledged, busy HTML with embedded images and bells and whistles, I wouldn't be able to read it in mutt, which means I probably wouldn't read it at all. For me it's just a convenience factor, but Arnie's right to mention security as an issue, and it's a concern for accessibility as well.

If you go with the majority (so far) opinion and opt for full HTML email, I hope that at the very least you will include *at the top* a text blurb to the effect of, "If you can't read HTML email, you can find this issue of the newsletter on the web at <URL>." But I would strongly urge you to compromise and have a text email with lots of links to further info and pretty pictures on the website.

OK, must think before voting .

I do prefer to read HTML format newsletters, but considering the number of forum visitors (i.e. potential subscribers) who seem to be on dial-up, and the various security issues and different email readers, yadda yadda... I'd prefer an HTML+plaintext newsletter with links to full HTML articles.

If a majority would prefer HTML, it would be nice if the plaintext option linked to a web page with the full version as Emily said.

-- jen

I'm looking forward to it.

I agree, spotlights would be great, like a behind the scenes look.

I too like HTML, but it would be fine as well if there were links that I could click to view more.

I think a newsletter would be great! Good luck!

i would really like to read the articles about LDW.

the newslettter should include all of the above

Just curious as to the current status of the potential newsletter whether it be in email or its own web page.

I would also like to add a suggestion of brief random user interviews. Maybe ask some quirky kind of questions and get a tip or two from the top ranked folks. Also highlight some of the creative fan fic as not all players venture into the forums.

The first newsletter was sent out, via email, to everyone who had already subscribed at the time it was distributed. There hasn't been another one yet, but you can see the first one by clicking the appropriate link in this thread.

plain text only and i like all

it should have as much info as possible!!!

Agreed. And when is the next one coming out?

Great idea as long as it's not to much work for you peeps, and that we still have the on line ver.

Is there a date on a newsletter coming out?

The newsletters don't come out very frequently, but you can always view our last newsletter by clicking the link in this thread.

I agree with Magick every other month would be just fine. I too serf the web to find out about LDW happenings. So a newsletter would be a grate idea.

WE WANT ANOTHER NEWSLETTER!

If its is easier u can always include the choice, i know my isp email always offers a would u like to download or stream option. As they only allow plain text emails with links, or a would u like to view this email in text or html format option in the email is possible.

I think instead of a random user for interview it should be chosen by the ldw person being interviewed.

Or maybe one of those annoying "you have won" pop ups should randomly choose when a person logs into forums, saying you have won an interview for ldw newsletter. Would be better than most of those pop ups and then it can allow person to click on it to accept the interview.