Why not electronic?

I like the portability of paper literature. It is easier to have quality reading time in the bathroom when you have a magazine. Try doing that with a desktop computer or even a laptop computer.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rob Gronovius I like the portability of paper literature. It is easier to have quality reading time in the bathroom when you have a magazine. Try doing that with a desktop computer or even a laptop computer.

Amen!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rob Gronovius I It is easier to have quality reading time in the bathroom when you have a magazine. Try doing that with a desktop computer or even a laptop computer.

Some things are best left alone. If it aint broke, don't fix it. I like something I can hold in my hands. What do you do if you have a computer problem or the CD drive doesn't work?

I can just see it now, receive your magazine in the mail on CD, rush inside only to find you can't open it because of some computer problem. Or try to download the latest issue and loose it in cyber space. With a hard copy in hand, you can start reading it without waiting for the computer to catch up because the site is busy.

I've mentioned this before, what I would like is the option for both. Normally, I would like a print copy to read while commuting and lounging around. But I have 7 years of FSM archived and its taking up a lot of space. Especially when you consider the amount of space ad's are taking up. I would gladly buy CDs or DVD that contains at least 1 years of the the FSM articles archived. Perhaps FSM can have some combined subscription price.

Part of the problem is going to be the dreaded copyright issues... if you make a .pdf version, for example, the unscrupulous reader will forward it to all of his buddies, and the publisher loses that money.

And part of it, as mentioned above, is portability and convenience... right now, most computer systems just aren't much of either. I remember mentioning to a high school teacher several years ago that I wished all the textbooks could be carried around on a single laptop, rather than having to lug around all those books. But even now, as a graduate student, the technology is not at a point where I feel comfortable doing all my reading electronically (well, I have a feeling it's actually pretty close, I just can't afford it right now - edit: like this bad boy: http://www.dualscreen.com/proplus1520m.cfm).

I personally have some ideas on the direction I want things to head, but don't have the resources to make it happen and somebody will probably come up with something better before I will get them (if ever). In the meantime, as the Tablet PC market grows, I believe you will see an increase in the market for digital literature.

The Army distributes correspondance courses via CD Rom. One CD will contain course material (text books, field manuals, references) and another CD will have the program that installs with the testing material. It is a major PITA to sit at one computer and do the course. Even with a laptop and desktop (one to call up the references, one to run the test) it is still a pain minimizing one manual and maximizing another. With actual paper books, you can thumb through them, bend a page or stick a post it note to mark where you are.

QUOTE: Originally posted by ckfredrickson Part of the problem is going to be the dreaded copyright issues... if you make a .pdf version, for example, the unscrupulous reader will forward it to all of his buddies, and the publisher loses that money.

So, If one "unscrupulous" subscriber passes a copy of Finescale magazine to a nonsubscriber, he or she is guilty of copyright infringement? The publisher is still losing money? Electronic versions of the mag would be great to have. I personally would pay to electronically subscribe. To me there is no "dreaded copyright" issue. You can do the same thing with printed media.

Steve

I'm not a copyright lawyer, and what I list below may just muddy the waters further, but here's a stab at adding some clarification:

1. I don't think it's considered copright infringement if you were to pass on a copy of the magazine itself to a non-subscriber.

2. If you make a photocopy of an article or issue that you have purchased/received under subscription and file it away for your own records, that probably is OK under fair use. But if you give it to a friend (or friends) for their exclusive use, and you keep your copy, you are technically in violation of copyright as I understand it. However, when you consider the frequency with which the act occurs, the high ratio of cost to litigate to receivable damages, and the animosity inspired in the consumer, it almost always makes no sense to pursue.

3. In the case of electronic/digital files, you would have to destroy your file and printouts in the act of or as soon as possible after forwarding it on to your friend if you intended to comply with the copyright. How many people are actually going to do that?

The act of making multiple copies through distribution is what ultimately costs publishers money.

Hello Leander. Some magazines post a 'virtual' version of the book online, However-I feel that reading off the screen is tough on the eyes and printing out reams of pages can be expensive. Also the portability mentioned cannot be ignored-espicially in the WC.

Dan

Hey CK

1. I don't think it's considered copright infringement if you were to pass on a copy of the magazine itself to a non-subscriber.

This is called pass-along and magazines LOVE it.

Dan

Just saw this post. The idea of an electronic version is very good. As part of my professional reading, I subscribe to a British journal called "New Scientist". Anyone can access their companion website and read letters, news, short articles, etc., similar to the FSM site. However, subscribers to the printed copy can also obtain a password for the website that allows them access to the full text of all articles from the current and previous issues. In fact, as a subscriber I can login to the site and search it for a particlar item. The site will then return all of the hits and allow me access to the full articles in the list of hits. This is very useful not so much for the current issue (since I have it in my hands anyway), but for obtaining articles from archived issues that I never purchased or do not have with me.

It would be absolutely terrific if FSM could offer the same utility to its subscribers.

Jim

I would support the idea of having both options open, although I have to admit I would never actually get the electronic version. I like the idea of a physical magazine that I can flip through the pages with.

And what about this way?

http://www.newsstand.com

Cheers
skyraider

QUOTE: Originally posted by skyraiderch And what about this way? http://www.newsstand.com Cheers skyraider

ummmm...so how is that any different than distributing it on CD..? Basically, switching to a non-paper format creates other issues, such as those of software compatability, although that probably wouldn't be a big thing really. There is also the fact that probably not every FSM subscriber has a laptop that they can lug around. Also, why do I have to be at a laptop or PC to read a magazine? I don't live my life right next to a PC, and I'm a technical analyst, so what does that say about the rest of the populace.
Basically, offering an alternative is a good idea, but completely replacing it just isn't.

"If it ain't broken, don't fix it"

I think it would be nice to be able to order older issues of the magazine in an electronic format, or even have an electronic library built into a subscription. I mean, I need one article from 3 or 4 years ago, I've already bought the issue but can't find it, and it would be nice to get the article again without paying for the entire magazine again.

I love all the benefits the modern electronic world . The idea of a an electronic version
in conjunction to the paper version....OK. But let us not forget that there are still people
(and many) who do not own and cannot afford computers.

I myself , still love to have my sense of smell stimulated, when I walk into my
hobbyroom, the smell of printed material ie: books, magazines and comic
books just gets me high !

As one person once said in a movie,

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning !!! "