Saturday, January 08, 2005

The Last Issue

Recent correspondence has led me to include this post on the GTI Weblog by way of clarification. The original text was contained in a GTI Newsletter.

After 15 years of offering printed directories, we published our last edition in January 2003. Whilst we were very reluctant to cease production of our Directories, Internet access had become so widespread that the number of directory memberships had reduced over the preceding few years finally making it unviable to continue to produce them. Moreover, members who were relying solely on the Directories were at a serious disadvantage because by the time the Directories were printed and distributed, many of the exchange offers and requests would already have been fulfilled.

Most countries now have a reliable internet service, and most households a computer, and almost everyone now opts for the much less expensive and more immediate Internet membership option. As an environmentally conscious organization, we feel that it really is much more environmentally efficient to communicate and receive information electronically about the wonderful exchange opportunities available

2 comments:

Rebecca said...

Hi Kath

We used to be in a paper based houseswap directory but I guess I thought that these days everyone was doing it through the internet. It's certainly easier to send an email than write snail mail.

We've had a couple of great swaps (Seattle and NZ) over the two yearswe've been in Green Theme although we've had far less luck with swaps we've tried to set up in Europe.

Keep up the good work

Chris GTI Home Exchange Member ID HE13372

Rebecca said...

Enquiry from home exchange member HE13372

Dear Mr Gleeson

Your enquiry, which I believe was for Member HE15811, came to me, as this member does not have an internet connection or email contact. I have forwarded it on to Anne Leilde by post, but of course it may be a few days before you hear anything from her.

Reply from Christ Gleeson

No email or internet connection? That's a bit weird n'est pas?

Chris

Dear Mr Gleeson

Thank you for your reply. In the past we used to have many
members who relied on snail mail and their telephone and
fax for contact when we published directories, but I agree
it is a little unusual now. However, it is not a reason
for debarring them from using the system
by whatever method they choose. They are, of course,
having to rely on contacts that are sent to them rather than
having the opportunity to search the database and make
enquiries themselves.