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Originally Posted by matt
What point of difference are you suggesting other than the manner in which it is delievered?..
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The format of the publication could be similar or completely different to whats on offer now but that would be determined by market research. The real beauty is, the format could be easily changed as required... Not so easy with paper.
For instance, it could include both professional and amateur content. I would like to know what is happening in a lot of areas that you just don't hear about in the current offerings because of the cost involved in producing hardcopy. I would also like to see images that are direct from the author. Imagine being able to click on a link to a full resolution original image rather than getting something on a printed page.
Quote:
Originally Posted by matt
As for it being possibly weekly or fortnightly...are you suggesting a 4-page PDF?..because that's the struggle you're going to face with garnering enough content - at least enough to make it worth opening the PDF. What you're talking about then is a newsletter or pamphlet..
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No, I am not interested in a newsletter type of publication. There are plenty of those around. I'd like to see a good quality product with a wealth of info, atleast 50+ pages. The frequency of issue would be determined by the volume of contributors I guess.
If 200 good submissions came in per week, then that may justify a weekly publication... who knows. If there were a significantly large pool of contributors, the frequency could be increased. I suspect monthly would be the obvious start up frequency with the possibility of a fortnightly bulletin and instant alerts when required. This format is currently done by Sky & Telescope in a limited way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by matt
And then there's the quality of writing and editing. Whether or not you place any value in those issues is a personal matter. I know what I prefer...
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As I said, this would need coordination. No product will gain popularity in this market unless it has real guts to it.... the audience is to intelligent, sophisticated and good looking
. That means good editing and excellent content, requiring contributors and editors with credibility from the start. If you plan to have a subscription base, then it MUST represent value for money. Thats basic common sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by matt
And at the end of the day I like to have hard copy. A magazine I can hold in my hands and leaf through, saving in a binder for later easy access. I'm just a bit old school that way, I guess.
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Old habits take time to change but I suspect that this change will become inevitable as time goes by. Hardcopy newspapers are already dropping like flies, or going online, and when the cost of a mag becomes excessive, as I believe it already is, the demand for online content will ensure this change happens.
If, for example, each issue of your hardcopy mag costs twice what it does now, or you could get double the content for half the price online plus "extras" would you be so resolute in your support of the hardcopy? Wont happen?"... Hmmm Carbon TAX!
Perhaps the fate of the magazine that started this thread should be seen as a warning of things to come.
I distinctly remember a bloke trying to sell me Encyclopedia Britanica hardcopy for about $2k some years ago and when I said it will all be on CD within 2 years, he scoffed at me... Guess wot!
Would you pay $2k for a beautifully bound copy of Britannica that is 2 years out of date before you get it?
Personnally, I think it is better to look forward than to stand still otherwise we would all still be using film based cameras, wouldn't we...
And to illustrate the point:
http://www.astrophotoinsight.com/
Quote:
Originally Posted by matt
Interesting discussion, though
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That it is, an one that we need to have as a community.
Rom