Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is your primary focus?

A: Our main goal is to be an information resource at your fingertips. Utilizing the many advantages of the Internet, we can provide just that. We want to report Southwest Nebraska's news promptly and accurately. Plus, everyone involved has a keen interest in learning. Sodbuster will share with its readers any knowledge we gather from places and people not every individual alone has time or ability to encounter.

Q: Why "Sodbuster?"

A: We are sodbusters. To learn more about sodbusting, try: sodbusters, why Sodbuster came into existence, and why it is called by that name.

Q: So, go back to what you said about Southwest Nebraska. What you are really saying is that this is just a local project, right?

A: Yes, and no. Because we are just opening our doors, we need to keep our news focus mainly within the Southwest Nebraska region for now; however, that is the news. "Information" was mentioned. Many of the topics we will cover within the various sections will be of interest to a broad range of people -- not just local area citizens. Sodbuster has great potential to go beyond where some may imagine…but in its own timing. We are building our foundation slowly and carefully to make sure we will stand strong for a long life of publishing.

Q: Are you going into direct competition with our area's newspapers, then?

A: That is certainly not our intention. Area news publications were notified of this project several months ago and invited to participate in whatever way they felt most comfortable. Newspapers will be in existence for many decades to come. It is our hope that they thrive and maintain the fine quality they have reached. Readers can carry a newspaper with them anywhere. It is a little more difficult to say the same about our computers. <smile>

Q: What makes Sodbuster different and unique?

A: We are an online publication in Southwest Nebraska. There are not too many of us around. Also, we have used the word "magazine" rather than "newspaper" for a very good reason -- our content will involve more than what most people think of when they hear the word, "news." Please note that Webster's first definition of news is: "new information about anything; information previously unknown." This is why we call ourselves a "news magazine."

In our vision, we will be somewhat of an informational library that answers questions many adults, lost in the maze of busy schedules and hectic labors, have forgotten to ask or simply have not had the time to ponder. We will leave it at that. We cannot give away all our secrets, you know.

Q: When is the next issue?

A: That is a very good question with a very complicated answer. We hope to keep our sections updated as regularly as we receive our information. Many of our sections are updated every two weeks. Others are weekly.

On Sodbuster's home page, we keep you informed about updates and late-breaking news articles, so you do not have to click through our pages just to find something you haven't seen before. We will work hard to make our information extremely accessible and efficiently delivered to your screens.

Q: I have registered before.  Why does the registration page come up sometimes?

A: Sodbuster is still fairly new and continues to undergo improvements.  As these upgrades and changes take place, our script that handles the registration processing might have to be changed.  Therefore, you will need to register again.  Also, if you delete or change web browsers, you will be asked to register again.  While this might be an inconvenience, it is necessary to make Sodbuster a better, more enjoyable place to visit.

Q: Could I be a contributor?

A: Yes, and we would love to have you! We could use more area reporters, excellent article authors, and creative writers. Please see our contact page for more information.

Q: Have I heard something about a credit system? What is that about?

A: Contributors will provide the stories and footwork that allow this idea to work. Economically, it will work only if the start-up costs are kept low until the advertising revenue begins to come in. The way this is accomplished is by providing credits for work done. For example, for each story run, the contributor earns a certain number of credits. The editor earns credits for organizing the work and choosing which stories to run. The webmaster team earns credits for doing the layout. The host earns credits for storing the current issue and an archive of past issues. At some agreed-upon point in the future, credits will be redeemed for cash or for ownership in the operation. Credits will also be earned for bringing in advertisers.  Actually, our writers, photographer, and editing/webmastering staff are all doing this on a volunteer basis, for the sake of sharing their ideas and hard work.  THANK YOU, SODBUSTERS!

Q: How many readers do you have so far?

A: Since our registration process was established in mid-August of 1997, we now have over 200 registered readers. We have received over 4,000 "hits," too.

Q: Who do you have helping Sodbuster now?

A: A wonderful team of authors and webmasters have been working hard to present Sodbuster. Kimberly Bartholomew is our editor.  Stephen Haberman is our main programmer. Our host, Steven D. Smith, is the originator of this whole idea.

Several folks came to our first meeting, and we appreciate all their input and time. Many others have expressed interest in eventually helping, and we thank them for that. Most of all, a great big thanks to everyone who helped us along the way.

Sodbuster Team (1997-1999):

Deven Fortkamp, WebLord & Consultant -- wrote computer articles & consulted on web design; now living in Kansas.
Stephen Haberman, Programmer & Consultant -- wrote computer articles and creative pieces and programmed much of Sodbuster; now going to college, but is still consulting remotely.
Liz Clark -- wrote a few news articles and creative pieces and acted as Sodbuster's Creative Writing Editor; now going to college.
Julie Chandler -- wrote a few articles; not currently writing for us, but cheers us on.
Nicholas Colton -- wrote computer articles; now going to school.
Marcy Nesbitt -- wrote herbal articles for us; got busy with life, but still cheers us on.
Frankie Lou Nicholson -- one of our newer authors, Frankie wrote humorous articles from the perspective of a rural farm wife.  Still writes her articles for a few newspapers around her home town.
Jessica Schutte -- wrote a few sports articles for us; busy with school.
Gregg Smith -- wrote regular investment/farm-related articles for us; got busy with ensuring that his crops and children grow healthy, strong, & productive.

Writing Team (1997-today):

Bill Coe -- has contributed articles along the way & now has photography.
Guy Curtis -- still writes a monthly opinion column.
Wanda Haffner -- still periodically writes Herbal articles for us.
Mike Hendricks -- our newest writer on the team, Mike writes opinion articles.
Emily Hoffman -- periodically writes Kids articles for us in between raising her family and organizing a busy household.
Joe Murray -- has written several news reports for us; still writes opinion articles once in a while.
Leonard Smith -- wrote multiple nature articles and creative pieces for us; got busy with career and family, but is back to share sporadically.
Steven and Jennifer Smith -- continue to consult and act as our organizational managers.  Jennifer wrote an occasional kids article or "Crown Jewel" biography and hopes to be back once in a while to do a guest editorial.
Vernon Whetstone -- writes regular astronomy articles; wrote several recreation-oriented articles and a few creative pieces.

Others who contributed time and effort:

Paul Arterburn -- found a few cartoons for us in the beginning.
Christine Bump -- digitally created our oval picture logo and several other works of art throughout Sodbuster.
Gabe Martin -- donated numerous great Borderline cartoons for our use.

Hope no one was forgotten....if so, thank you, too.

Special Thanks:

To the readers -- for coming to Sodbuster.

If you have questions, be sure to contact us. All possible questions may not have been answered here.

Sodbuster
PO Box 760
Imperial, NE.  69033

sodbuster@chase3000.com -- Managers

sod@chase3000.com -- Editor (Kimberly Bartholomew)

Unless you see their email address on their article, all writers and photographers can be reached through sodbuster@chase3000.com.  Your fan mail can be forwarded from there.