As an IT person I have to confess I loath electronic copies of magazines.
After a day at work spent reading a computer screen, time spent reading a computer screen at home for personal e-mail and catching up with Chantal, Allan and JB's adventures in Gardenland my eyes could do with a rest from pixels. Also I would rather hold a magazine to suit my position than adjust my position to suit what I am reading.
The only magazine I get regularly in e-format is "Computer Weekly" and it is superbly done, exact facsimile, searchable, zoomable, perfect copy of the paper version. It is excellent.
So by all means offer it for those that want it, but do not stop the paper copy and do not put the price up to pay for an e-copy.
Also, know what, a paper magazine;
is light.
totally portable.
doesn't need a battery, which runs out.
doesn't need a mains cable plugged into it.
doesn't require the internet to download or access it.
can be read anywhere in daylight.
can be read with a candle/torch/fire anywhere at night.
ditto during powercuts.
you can read it in the bath.
you can fall asleep reading it without breaking anything
you don't have to wait ten minutes before you start reading, just open and go.
no-one is going to mug you for your KG, well Chantal might if provoked by a proof copy.
it doesn't have a fan that kicks in and wakes the OH when reading in bed.
it does not need cossetting.
the dog can fetch it without electrocuting herself.
Need I go further?
Post-work luddite rant complete.
