Try and take the courageous route
Back to print
Almost a year ago, I cancelled my final hard-copy magazine subscription, but I’m now going back.
Cancelled my final hard-copy magazine subscription today - 100% digital now. Not totally convinced, but going to give it a try.
— Robert Chambers (@robert_chambers) March 7, 2011
Moving to digital made a lot of sense:
- Always available
- Instant delivery
- Extra multimedia content
- Less clutter in the house
- Environmentally friendly
- Feel less guilty about buying an iPad!
However, I have to agree with Dan Rubin:
As much as I love reading on the iPad, it has none of the meditative qualities of holding a physical newspaper, magazine or book.
— Dan Rubin (@danrubin) April 5, 2011
This may be a generation thing, as I’m used to print, but, I do think the multi-tasking nature of tablets can be very distracting and looking at a screen is certainly tiring.
Publishers also have a lot to learn about the digital medium. Many simply distribute glorified PDF versions, which are not easy to read and offer no extra content. Others are over complicated and difficult to navigate.
In the meantime, I think offering free tablet access for print subscribers is a good way forward, as Wired are doing.
Wilson Miner - When We Build
Recorded at Build 2011
