We are heading into a year where it will be important to keep a close eye on what is REALLY happening amid the hype.

VillagePRESS has developed a world-wide profile in relation to Scammers who attempt to get moneys from Hosts (accommodation providers) all over the world. By Hosts sending in the emails they have received and VillagePRESS publishing names of Scammers, other Hosts have gained protection. It has been interesting to receive such emails from Hosts living in all parts of the globe.

This service has meant that VillagePRESS has maintained a readership averaging over 4000 visitors a month.

We think too that we need to support people providing good service and commodities; we think that advertising should be accurate, honest and of some value. In 2009 we will attempt to give our readers information derived from actual experiences of real people. Some readers may not know that public relations (PR) firms sometimes invent people, call them experts, and then write what the industry that employs them wants YOU to believe.
[See "The Final Pollution" by Robert Anderson, Tauranga, 2005]

What we envisage is one reader recommending a product or service to others. How will this effect our advertising revenue? Unlike the daily printed publications, we do not need substantial returns and have no staff overheads -- we all do what we do, voluntarily. Our costs are met by donation.

Whether we succeed or not will depend on our readers. If you are particularly satisfied with something that cost you money -- or have a group you support, etc -- do write and tell us. Again, it is not necessary that your name is published but the editor must know who you are -- he is bound by his personal code of ethics to protect your identity to the utmost limits allowed by the law (by his ethics as a psychologist).

We also plan to provide practical information -- again calling on readers to inspire us with their interests. Gardening and cooking ideas are welcomed but other ideas would be welcome too.

And if you want to write on any subject, please do.

All information and photos (sketches…) does need to come by email.

Keep safe, keep well, keep positive - for every negative there is always a positive.

Arohanui