I’ve switched most to digital only myself… MRR, MRH, Trains, RMC, R&R, all digital only subscriptions. Only “hard copy” is now NMRA magazine. Off hobby related hard copies are just trial subscriptions, and a magazine our electric company gives us.
I am surprised. I prefer hard copy, I can read it outside in bright sun or in the bath tub.
I find reading large blocks of text on a computer screen, sort of uncomfortable. Hard to explain and certainly I do spend a lot of time doing just that.
I became used to digital with the ‘other’ ezine, and that works for their product…for me. I still do enjoy reading a newspaper and a glossy mag holding it in my hands with a cold brewskie within reach.
I did subscribe to the Classic Trains ezine, but never looked at it as I had opted for both…and of course, only read the paper version. So, it lapsed last year.
I think the OP is confusing a publication delivered via an app vs. a downloadable PDF 'zine. MRR uses Zinio or Nook to view edititions. MRC has their own proprietary app. They use legit safe and sound delivery solutions. Any pub trying to send out their issues via a link in an Email might as well say “hey, trust us, download this file. It won’t nuke your computer or hack your bank accounts. Trust us. Honest.” Hence the low click through/response rates on email links.
assume all these issues are for subscribers who have both hardcopy and electronic versions and many don’t look at their electronic copy because they have hardcopy. I don’t understand the value of having both types of subscriptions.
What are the statistics for those who only have electronic subscriptions?
perhaps if it were less expensive.
but because I work all day in front of computer screens, I’d like to have hardcopy I can read in bed, while waiting in the card or while at the kitchen table. Something like a Kindle might be more acceptable than a laptop, so an electronic copy would need to be Kindle compatible.
I’ve gone all digital and wouldn’t go back. I love being able to “carry” all my back issues of MR, Trains, Classic Trains, MRP, GMR, and RMC since 2012 on my iPad. Now if only MR would improve the all access video “scrolling” for the iPad. That’s the only reading I have to do on my desktop.
I love reading all my magazines on my iPad. I can increase the size of the type for better reading.
Saves me from throwing out so many mags into the trash. When I moved about 5 years ago I had over 600 magazines, 200 books that nobody wanted so they ended up in the dump. Tried to recycle them to no avail.
I am spending a considerable amount of my time staring at a screen and I therefore find it relaxing, being able to retire to a sofa, a hardcopy of my favorite model railroading mag in my hands, having a good time.
I have to say that, being a dinosaur, I prefer hard copies for new issues. Having said that, I am fine with digital archives where one is looking for specific articles, but I just find it more comfortable to have the new issues in my hands. I’m not afraid of losing my place if I am looking at a hard copy, and no amount of internet problems can interfere with what I am reading.
I like the mags…I can settle down on the couch when the other barn animals are lose bashing their sticks and throw fecies from the computer table. Its like a zoo in here and I only got 2 young boys. Its sometimes the only way to quiet them down in the evening.
I have notives a few of the $ wheel driving Magz have gone digital over here…I have tried to get into them but its just not the same…
I read Model railroad hobbiest online but it is still the only magz that seems to get the most out its digital presence.
I suppose I will have to get with the times soon enough but hope the paper keeps on rolling for a bit…I would imagine there will be a fair few jobs lost when the magz stop printing…pulp mills working for peanuts from toilet paper and fish n chips suppliers. I feel a storm coming [li][li]
Geared steam - Thatsa lot of Magazines you belong too. Do you read all of them ?
Drumguy - The NMRA sends out to its member which I assume would trust them a link they can click of for the “Local” That one of teh items I was referring to. In general I was indirectly speaking to Apps, electronic subscritions, PDFs etc…
Greg C wrote -“What are the statistics for those who only have electronic subscriptions?” They didnt address other companies in teh article but I think they said the NMRA was only about 10% ?
D Fortney - Did you consider donating them to your local Library ? Doctors office for kids ? Boyscotts ??
Reading you post made me think about a recent experience.
I have a collection of material from a number of fallen flags. This includes menus, timetables, annual reports, marketing materials and even technical information from car builders.
But, I decided it was time to get rid of it so I took it to the hobby shop.
They reviewed everything. They agreed it was an interesting collection, but felt it wasn’t worth anything. They really didn’t even want it for free.
I’ll probably have to resort to your method of disposal one day, but for now I’m keeping it.
