KennyP
addict
Reged: 16/11/2006
Posts: 645
Loc: Croydon via Brussels and Glasg...
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I know some of you will groan, but I've just been shown this and think it's quite cool. Click on the link for a FREE 40-page digital sample of the mag. You can turn pages, zoom in and out, use the contents page and all sorts. Plus you don't have to download any software. Is this the future? What do you think people?
http://www.zinio.com/express2?issue=201420587
-------------------- kenny_pryde@ipcmedia.com
"There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the truth." Robert Evans.
Waste more time here http://uk.youtube.com/SuperBikeMag
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warrior
member
Reged: 08/02/2007
Posts: 151
Loc: Sheffield
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Different but it means looking at a screen while reading and you cant take the computer into the loo at work with ya either! Takes a while to focus too but i like it but not enough to not buy the mag!
-------------------- Only by going too far can one possibly find out how far one can go
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 5379
Loc: Mind your own business
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Can't read it whilst on the throne! I don't think a lap top would be the same.
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KwH
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/11/2006
Posts: 1714
Loc: Carmarthen, Dyfed
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You aren't the first magazine to do it, and the technology works rather well, although a PDF would be just as good, but you need to sort the pricing out, because it doesn't work anything like as well as a paper magazine in many circumstances. Like I can't read it sitting on the khazi, or while sitting in the car, or in bed, etc.
If I pay in Tescos clubcard vouchers, apparently I can get a sub to the dead-tree version of the mag for less than £15, presumably complete with assorted covermount goodies. On that basis, £15 for the online version could look expensive to us in the domestic UK market.
The question is, what proportion of the magazine cover price is materials, repro and distribution cost? And can you still make a profit flogging the online mag for a tenner a year? And perhaps £1.50 for a single issue...
-------------------- Ken Haylock
http://www.cix.co.uk/~kwh
"Ride what you like, how you like, as often as you like; but always take responsibilty for your actions." - Anonymous Zen Guru
"Obviously all I'll care about is if it's good for wheelies (i.e. fluffs up my meagre skills), and what free gift they give on the launch." - Anonymous Moto-Journalism Guru
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big_al
veteran
Reged: 16/01/2007
Posts: 1507
Loc: Germany (British Forces)
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Let me put it this way;
When the missus gives me an ear bashing for sitting at the computer all night (mostly on this forum)instead of sitting in the living room with her, i just pick up my copy of Superbike and sit in the living room reading while she is watching the soaps, so when she decides that she wants one of those "guess what happenend at work" conversations, i put the mag down, pretend to be interested for 10 minutes, then pick up my mag and carry on reading - she's happy, i'm happy, bob's yer uncle. I don't think she would appreciate if i dragged the computer desk into the living room, that would just be taking the piss.
The electronic version is a good idea if it is priced reasonably, and is convenient in some respects, but it would not work as a replacement for the paper version, only as a second option. So don't get any silly ideas SB!!
-------------------- If you succeed without having to try hard, you have failed.
If you fail but have tried hard, you have succeeded.
--------------------------------------------------
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
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KennyP
addict
Reged: 16/11/2006
Posts: 645
Loc: Croydon via Brussels and Glasg...
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Woah. It was not and never will be (Never say never!) a replacement for the paper version of the mag. But I know that outside of the UK you get skinned alive for a copy of the mag which is weeks out of date. So I suppose the thinking is that a Zinio edition will have more appeal for North America, Australia, New Zealand the various far flung outposts of civilisation.
As far as portability goes. Well, wifi is spreading, wifi enabled laptops are getting cheaper and smaller. We can all see where this is headed in a few years, eh?
-------------------- kenny_pryde@ipcmedia.com
"There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the truth." Robert Evans.
Waste more time here http://uk.youtube.com/SuperBikeMag
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xxrider
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/11/2006
Posts: 2267
Loc: Somewhere over the rainbow.......
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For the overseas market, I think it's great! How many times have we seen readers letters, and even posts on here, from foreign or ex-pat readers who have to pay a fortune per issue? This could be exactly what they're looking for. Personally, I spend all bloody day looking at a PC screen - reading the mag is a welcome break!
-------------------- The simplest questions are the most profound. Where were you born? Where is your home? Where are you going? What are you doing? Think about these once in a while and watch your answers change.
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warrior
member
Reged: 08/02/2007
Posts: 151
Loc: Sheffield
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Big Al has hit the nail on the head...well said big lad! For overseas guys its a cool idea, they can get the mag on time online. Its just the idea of a mag is in its paper form in ya hand take it where ever, throw it in the wardrobe for future reference, use it as a door wedge wotever so I'm glad ya not getting any silly ideas for us guys over here.
Oh one more thing its a nice excuse to go for a ride when the missus is doin ya head in..."just popping to the shop to buy my magazine darlin be back in half an hour".....3 hours later you know you're in for the monthly earbashing....f**k it!!!!!
-------------------- Only by going too far can one possibly find out how far one can go
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monkiboi
old hand
Reged: 11/11/2006
Posts: 874
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Not bad for overseas readers. At least it does away with the smutty ads, like everyone else though I don't think you can beat the paper version, as pointed out in the early days of the forum, it's just so versatile.
-------------------- Only ride as fast as your guardian angel can fly!
I've been wondering, can a tortoise swim?
Not according to 118118!! (can someone lend me a tortoise to see if they're right?)
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KwH
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/11/2006
Posts: 1714
Loc: Carmarthen, Dyfed
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Quote:
Is this the future? What do you think people?
http://www.zinio.com/express2?issue=201420587
Well, here's some direct feedback from the Septics - I posted a link on the livejournal international 'motorcycles' community...
http://community.livejournal.com/motorcycles/1838774.html?view=22674870#t22674870
-------------------- Ken Haylock
http://www.cix.co.uk/~kwh
"Ride what you like, how you like, as often as you like; but always take responsibilty for your actions." - Anonymous Zen Guru
"Obviously all I'll care about is if it's good for wheelies (i.e. fluffs up my meagre skills), and what free gift they give on the launch." - Anonymous Moto-Journalism Guru
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 5379
Loc: Mind your own business
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Quote:
Septics
Penicillin should sort that.
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KwH
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/11/2006
Posts: 1714
Loc: Carmarthen, Dyfed
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It's yer cockney rhyming slang, innit guv, cor blimey up the apples and pears!
Septic = Septic Tank = Yank.
-------------------- Ken Haylock
http://www.cix.co.uk/~kwh
"Ride what you like, how you like, as often as you like; but always take responsibilty for your actions." - Anonymous Zen Guru
"Obviously all I'll care about is if it's good for wheelies (i.e. fluffs up my meagre skills), and what free gift they give on the launch." - Anonymous Moto-Journalism Guru
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MirrorDodger
stranger
Reged: 17/03/2007
Posts: 2
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For us yanks the digital version is great. I've put off subscribing to the printed version because it is a huge chunk of money and the wife would flip. So, I usually buy one at a time for $7.50 at Barnes $ Noble.
Superbike and all of the other British cycle mags make the U.S. mags look second or third rate. U.S. writing is not entertaining and I think all of the writers are knob sucking the manufacturer's promotions department. Why do people buy these mags, because they are cheap... the same reason people buy stuff at Wal-Mart.
I figure I will subscribe now and still buy the magazines when I happen to be at Barnes&Noble.
Many thanks.
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 5379
Loc: Mind your own business
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US mags aren't that bad surley that would be like wall to Ride magazine enough to make me want to subscribe to quilting monthly, or is that TWO. Oh yea welcome. So whats your take on UK gun laws (only kidding )
Edited by chappers (17/03/2007 19:31)
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big_al
veteran
Reged: 16/01/2007
Posts: 1507
Loc: Germany (British Forces)
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steady chappers, steady
-------------------- If you succeed without having to try hard, you have failed.
If you fail but have tried hard, you have succeeded.
--------------------------------------------------
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 5379
Loc: Mind your own business
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Yea sorry mate I'm currently feeling a little flat and Ill (sore throat and temp). That was shocking of me. I just need to kick back and recharge my batteries. You have to admit tho it was an electricly charged thread.
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big_al
veteran
Reged: 16/01/2007
Posts: 1507
Loc: Germany (British Forces)
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it was like a bolt of lightening and i could'nt resist reading it over again, but then i had to regulate my enthusiasm and recify the need to react to it in a positivley charged way.
-------------------- If you succeed without having to try hard, you have failed.
If you fail but have tried hard, you have succeeded.
--------------------------------------------------
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
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ekokman
stranger
Reged: 05/01/2007
Posts: 5
Loc: God's Country
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Quote:
Can't read it whilst on the throne! I don't think a lap top would be the same.
It is possible to take a lap top into the bog if you have wifi in the house as KP suggests. Lets just hope MCN don't follow this line of technology as I don't really fancy wiping my arse with my lap top.
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xxrider
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/11/2006
Posts: 2267
Loc: Somewhere over the rainbow.......
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And the missus can't put a laptop in the bottom of the budgies cage!
-------------------- The simplest questions are the most profound. Where were you born? Where is your home? Where are you going? What are you doing? Think about these once in a while and watch your answers change.
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rsv_mark
enthusiast
Reged: 16/11/2006
Posts: 219
Loc: Leamington
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....And I noticed that all of the advertising has been taken out of the digi version. If I was to adopt a cynical perspective, might it be geared towards extracting more revenue from the advertisers in due course....? Before you know it, they'll be screaming blue murder and MCN will be offering another national exclusive.
Great for overseas I can't see it taking off in the UK: I'm an old(ish) fart and I still like leafing through a hard copy...(no crude gags please) and browsing back issues....and before you ask, yes I still buy CD's and don't download from iTunes.
-------------------- ______________________________________________
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
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