Well Military in Scale has ceased being printed and according to a letter received they are going to concentrate on digital media. Is this the start of a new trend, many modelling magazines have a digital issue that is read on PC’s, Laptops & the likes. Personally I prefer to have a hard copy to hold.
Digital issues are cheaper to produce & incurred no printing/postage costs and also cut out the news agents saving even more money.
Could Tankette be done this way, yes dead easy and “pdf” format is easy to use.
However how many members would want to receive it in this format?
Now let’s see how many comments this piece brings.

Keep modelling & enjoy it,
Neil Wharton

Well, to kick it off, I wouldn't mind Tankette (or any club mag for that matter) in PDF format because my annual dues pay for club activities in general and can thus be reassigned to new activities, but I'd feel decidedly ripped off if I paid my £4 for a news-stand mag and only got a digital copy.

Tom
(#8505)

Hello,
I stopped my sub to MIS in 2010 because the magazine didn´t
appeal to me anymore, but I sure as hell hope this is not
the start of a new trend. I still recieve 2 other printed mags from the UK and I hope they stay in the "hardware"
printed version. Imagine going to "library" with a laptop
or tablet, it just wouldn´t be same.
Paul

Unfortunately it doesn't work quite like that.

The actual print costs are less than half the production cost of a commercial magazine. The bulk of the cost revolves around the design work.

An PDF magazine would cost 2/3 to 3/4 of the print version - a saving certainly but not a huge one.

For a club magazine the variable may be slightly different. However if you wanted a professional layout and feel then you either need to have a tame graphic designer willing to offer their time and expertise for free - or employ a commercial designer. Similarly, commercial design software isn't cheap.

Regards,
John

Wow - only a 30% saving? I thought it'd be more than that!

Of course, the hidden impact of PDF-only is that it cuts out the non-computerati amongst us. And worse still, this little straw poll won't have any input from those who don't do the web! So it's kinda preaching to the converted.

Having said that, I do appreciate paper mags because I can read them anywhere without having to fire up the frustration-box. And sometimes I like to measure real drawings with a real ruler, when checking out the latest kit or doing a bit of scratchbuilding. Sure, I can print from a PDF, or insert it into CAD for some design work, but paper is "comfy". Of course, old mags are bulky to store...

Tom

As a contributor to MIS, I too received a letter from Traplet Publications about the title, only my letter mentions that the magazine is done, with the October issue, period. Not simply moving to digital. They are keeping the name for the possible odd magazine/book using the MIS brand.

They also asked if I would be interested in contributing in the future if they did decide to make the odd publication. They asked for a response and feedback etc., to which I responded on Sept 16th with a question or two as well, to which I have yet to hear back.

I prefer a paper copy. I also like being able to thumb through a magazine without needing batteries.

Lee. MAFVA member 8679.

Personally, I would be interested in a PDF version.
Living in the UK or USA, most of these magazines are "reasonably" priced, but when imported to Sweden, they are way too expensive. For 105kr/£9.70/€12.09/$15.63, the content is not specific enough for my taste, so the cheaper PDF would still offer some interest. The inflated price is not all to do with the magazine itself ... it has more to do with taxes, the smaller quantities that Sweden imports and the greed of those in this industry.
If I could buy the mags at UK prices (and definately at a cheaper PDF price), and not have to worry about postage costs, I probably would pick up more magazines. But this last few years, the prices have rocketed, so I have stopped even picking up the singles here and there like I used to.
The only mag I get today is AFV Modeller, and thats more expensive, but I agree with whats been said already ... I also like the glossy mag ...and I continue to support my local hobby shop into the bargin. I just had to draw the line somewhere.
Another problem with all these magazines (and the collector nature of modellers) is that they start to take up a lot of space when you´ve been modelling for a while. I have 4 cabinets filled with books and mags today, so in another few years, Id have to resort to what I see a lot talking about ... boxing them and storing them in attics, basements etc. Would it not be handier to just have them digital and all stored in a cute little hard disc that takes up very little room, but so easy to access when needed?