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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Computer Snafu causes Data Loss for Local Chicago area Members

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Fellow Chicago Astronomers,

As computers often do, mine started to act up strangely Tuesday and just refused me access to the net. A complete and fresh reformat was looong over do, and I diligently saved all my data, including local Chicago Astronomer email addresses...or so I thought.

After a clean reformat and OS installation, my email client said it
did not like the data that it saved itself - in the saved folder, and refused to import the addresses and mails back. Never had this problem before, and I saved it twice in different locations before the reformat, but it did not matter. I guess the OS was so corrupt that any burning of data carried along with it the fluke.

Sigh.

So anyway, here is the scoop...

General worldwide members of the Chicago Astronomer are fine. Your memberships and addresses are good. Apart from this email list, (that you are apparently on), I maintain a different local Chicago Area email list. That's the one where local members receive info, notices and updates on local events and activities such as star parties, screenings and other get togethers.

Now, most of the local members also maintain a Chicago Astronomer Forum membership, but not all. There is a gap between the two, and that's why sometimes some of you get two slightly different email updates of the Chicago Astronomer.

I request that if you still desire to receive Chicago Astronomer
updates and notices, or want to start receiving them- to please send me an email, and we will build this list back up.

If you know some of our members, please do notify them of the situation and have them email me too please. If you have their email addresses, send them along to me too. I will save the info more often and securely from now on.

As always, your info is kept private and confidential, and only to be used when the mother ship lands...

My apologies for the inconvenience and snafu.

Chicago Astronomer Joe
Administrator
[e-mail]
www.chicagoastronomer.com

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Local Chicago Astronomer Email Addresses building back up

Reformat Blues -

Here is a recap on the "lost" Chicago Astronomer email list status...

Some of you are aware of a recent Chicago Astronomer computer hiccup. Last week, after a much needed and overdue computer reformat, I seemed to have lost my local/Chicago area contact email addresses for those of you who subscribed to the Chicago Astronomer newsletters and notices. Even after backing up the data twice, it still did not take and would not import. In two years of sending out email notices, this was the first collapse of the contact data.

I was truly upset.

Reaching out through the membership data on the Chicago Astronomer Forum, I sent out our status and apologies to the general membership worldwide. Many of you responded overwhelmingly with updated info and confirmed email addresses. Thank you for your continued desire in receiving astronomical info and for your support. But many readers of the newsletter & notices do not maintain a membership on the Forum, and therefore - out of Chicago Astronomer list contact - and potentially lost.

I have in my archives, saved email and contact data from about a year ago. In there are most of the lost addresses that I corresponded with. I am confident that this includes just about all subscribers, but one hitch tho...

Some email directions probably are repeats, unsubscribes or dead addresses.

Not all back to Usual -

Included in this test email send list are all those "found" email addresses from many sources - (250 +). If you happen to receive double mails, desire to opt out or have any other annoyance, please do contact me, and we will correct it.

More stringent back-up procedures will be practiced in the future.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and interest in amateur astronomy.