Since some time ago I made up my mind to write my editorials only about modeling subjects, leaving special dates, such as an anniversary or other opportunity to comment or talk about topics related to our on-line magazine. However, this month, I want to share with you some thoughts about our future as well as offering you a short summary about Modeler Site's last year.

If you enjoyed, and still wait hopefully for our monthly publication, I believe it would be worthwhile for you to read this editorial.

For the last year, Modeler Site has been supported by HobbyLink Japan. Not just a simple advertising contract, but a friendship and consultation relationship as well. We've learned a lot from Scott and we thank him for his useful advice when we've come across difficult moments during this year.

Whenever you undertake an activity, you intend to reach a target; in our case, we've succeeded in reaching our goals for 2002/2003, far above our expectations, in fact. Thereby, it's time to think about a new horizon to move towards.

Three months ago, our policy regarding notes was changed. From the very beginning, Modeler Site has been absolutely free and without restrictions, but as quality and complexity of the publication increased, we have to spend more time in order to keep on with all necessary tasks. It's now a full-time activity that needs at least three people to be accomplished.

On the other hand, the costs of having such an extensive web site online, plus the fact that we try to reward the best notes, (many of them, written by request, following our editorial style as a goal) have compelled us to make some painful decisions.

To have a true virtual magazine online while thinking that money is not an issue is a mistake that prevents the viability of this kind of project. To think that a company like HobbyLink Japan could or should supply all of our financial requirements is a mistake, too.

Thus, in May 2003 we faced two options: whether to go on with our own life, trying to earn our living, and not spending more time on Modeler Site, or to ask for some money as a reward for the effort and time devoted to this project.

If we decided to discontinue future issues, leaving online all the work published during three years, we would deprive many modelers of an earnest and high-quality site which provided a venue to show their models in a way they deserved. In addition, of course, would be the mountain of frustration left to readers who looked forward to each issue, and our anguish as creators, too.

To ask for money for something previously free also meant a severe blow for those who couldn't afford the payment or didn't have credit card, etc. We also considered a login or pay-and-read system to allow access only to people who pay, but that is a system that I could simply not accept.

Ultimately I took it upon myself to hopefully resolve the matter with a slight modification to our policy: we would go on offering notes free of charge, but with some restrictions to encourage readers who could pay to buy them; this would provide us with some support at least. This system is handled by our friend Peter Radcliffe in the U.K.

We've received much support from friends and readers in general; they know what we're made of, understand our feelings and understand that we work with all our heart. On the other hand, there has also been some frank criticism, which we've also paid attention to, giving those people the fair consideration they deserve.

Our goal is now to go on with every issue, producing the best and most in-depth articles, especially for beginners, and providing a place for those who wish to show their models on the Internet like in the best paper magazines around the world.

During the next year, we won't concentrate our efforts on how many notes will be published, but rather on their quality and content.

Once more, we ask for your kind understanding, and express our most sincere gratitude, buoyed by the absolute certainty that you will go along with us in this, Modeler Site's new period.