Print Media Getting Thin

[Courtland]

There is no doubt that the internet has much to do with print media getting thin in the magazine categories, it seems the page numbers have been cut in half for many publications over the last 5 years or so. I subscribe to 4 different magazines, no names given but for one, and the one that seems to be holding its own in the area of retaining pages and advertisers, is Fine Woodworking. I was going through my collection of magazines over the summer one day, and the thickness and content of FW has not changed since I have subscribed back in 1993. Can't say the same for some of the others.

My big question is, how long can the mags that are thinning down, last? I would hate to see any of them die. We lost American Woodworker, I believe they were absorbed into Popular Woodworking? Who's next?

[Charles Nicholls]

I would think that in order for them to stay alive, all are probably going to have to switch to electronic print. Which for me would be a good thing, because then I could change the font size to something more comfortable to read.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

It's a fact, print seems to be going the way of the Dodo bird. Last year one I subscribed to made just that announcement: no more paper, only electronic. I hate reading things on the computer screen, so I cancelled (this was a computer mag). Heck, we didn't even get new phone books this year.

[Ron Dudelston]

I noticed last night when I renewed my NRA membership that all of their mags were either paper or digital.  Just a matter of time till there's no choice.

[Gene Howe]

I do NOT enjoy reading magazines on the computer. But then I'm old. However, I purchased a couple magazines on disks. They are a lot easier to navigate and read than those published for the computer. For me anyway. 

Edited October 16, 2015 by Gene Howe

[lew]

I agree with Gene about the CD's vs. OnLine. Navigation is easier and faster- unless you have really fast Internet. What Charles mentioned is true also. Most operating systems offer visual enhancements to make reading easier. Remember the old days where the background was dark and the letters were bright- really messed with your brain.

I still can't believe that Woodcraft and the other major woodworking supplier offer monthly paper catalogs. That has to be a hugh expense, but they are so much fun to peruse! 

I wonder what percentage of the operating budget, for magazine publishing, is in the printing/distribution of the paper copies. Maybe online versions will eventually be less expensive.

[Courtland]

Great points all. I think about the only thing that the print media is counting on at this moment in time is they still need to satisfy the older generation of woodworkers. There are still many who would rather not even deal with a PC, and there are many, like myself that would much rather read it on paper.

I love it when after a long day, and the family is happy and quiet, my entire day has been lived for others, and I can finally take a deep breath and exhale with a woodworking magazine to read in the warm glow of the side table light next to our bed. I hope the print never goes away, I cannot imagine having to stare at a laptop to read my favorite magazines. I like the glossy paper, and the ads, and I like to just read without scrolling, or clicking. I'll be sad when the last woodworking magazine shuts their press down.

[Charles Nicholls]

Great points all. I think about the only thing that the print media is counting on at this moment in time is they still need to satisfy the older generation of woodworkers. There are still many who would rather not even deal with a PC, and there are many, like myself that would much rather read it on paper.

I love it when after a long day, and the family is happy and quiet, my entire day has been lived for others, and I can finally take a deep breath and exhale with a woodworking magazine to read in the warm glow of the side table light next to our bed. I hope the print never goes away, I cannot imagine having to stare at a laptop to read my favorite magazines. I like the glossy paper, and the ads, and I like to just read without scrolling, or clicking. I'll be sad when the last woodworking magazine shuts their press down.

I imagine it will happen soon though. Gone the way of the old pay phone. Heck I don't even remember when they phased those out. 2002-2003?

Edited October 16, 2015 by Charles Nicholls

[Ernie Richardson (BAA Bugler)]

Great points all. I think about the only thing that the print media is counting on at this moment in time is they still need to satisfy the older generation of woodworkers. There are still many who would rather not even deal with a PC, and there are many, like myself that would much rather read it on paper.

I love it when after a long day, and the family is happy and quiet, my entire day has been lived for others, and I can finally take a deep breath and exhale with a woodworking magazine to read in the warm glow of the side table light next to our bed. I hope the print never goes away, I cannot imagine having to stare at a laptop to read my favorite magazines. I like the glossy paper, and the ads, and I like to just read without scrolling, or clicking. I'll be sad when the last woodworking magazine shuts their press down.

I love the feel and smell of (print) magazines and books. but I was given a used (black-and-white) NOOK when a friend upgraded to a color NOOK that also "doubles" as a tablet.  I tried it and I like it for reading.  I can make the font larger and use a broader font so that it's easier for my old eyes to read.  Doesn't have the feel and smell of print but it does work for me and  black-and-white is just fine.  Also I can put the NOOK in the backpack on my wheelchair and take it with me wherever I go so I have somethiing to read while my wife is shopping or when waiting at Dr's offices, etc.

[Courtland]

Hey Ernie, I am slow at the uptake often, and I just saw this "Penturning is Taxidermy for Trees" in your signature. Love it!

Edited October 17, 2015 by Courtland
added text

[Ernie Richardson (BAA Bugler)]

Courtland

 

 

It's not original to me but I really like it and chose to also use it.  I have also seen "Jesus was a Woodworker too".

[John Moody]

Ii like the paper catalogs and magazines also, but I do read many things online or downloaded to read later. I have several books on my iPad that I can read like a kindle. It works very well and it much easier to pack and take with me than a bunch of books. I hate to see print go away though.

I also have a couple of magazines on the iPad to read when I am where I can.

And in some formats you can get text to speech and have it read to you and read you to sleep!

[Kevin Beitz]

On 10/16/2015 at 1:39 PM, Charles Nicholls said:

I imagine it will happen soon though. Gone the way of the old pay phone. Heck I don't even remember when they phased those out. 2002-2003?

They still exist – This might go without saying, but pay phones are still in operation all around the United States. ... According to the American Public Communications Council, there are fewer than 500,000 pay phones in the entire United States, and about 1.7 billion calls are placed annually.

[1fizgig]

In Australia (at least, Newcastle) I'm finding it hard to find woodworking magazines in the shops. Even the magazine based stores have maybe 2, and there isn't much to them sadly. I get more out of online reading than I do print media only because I can actually find it and am hungry for it

Edited December 7, 2019 by 1fizgig

[Gene Howe]

5 hours ago, 1fizgig said:

In Australia (at least, Newcastle) I'm finding it hard to find woodworking magazines in the shops. Even the magazine based stores have maybe 2, and there isn't much to them sadly. I get more out of online reading than I do print media only because I can actually find it and am hungry for it

Yeah, the net has put the hurts on magazine publishers.  While the online info is usually the same, I still like to hold the magazine or, tool catalog in my hands and have it handy. 

 

[Larry Buskirk]

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

Yeah, the net has put the hurts on magazine publishers.  While the online info is usually the same, I still like to hold the magazine or, tool catalog in my hands and have it handy. 

 

Not to mention putting the hurt on taking it with into the reading room with the throne. 

[John Morris]

There is however young fresh blood that finds a niche, and becomes very successful, Mortise and Tenon Magazine, taking the woodworking crafts and hand tool world by storm, they are gaining popularity, and their subscription base is getting bigger and bigger as woodworking trends turn back to hand tools and the popularity of green woodworking is growing. It can be all about reading the wave and trends, and coming in at the right time.

 

[Gunny]

13 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

I still like to hold the magazine or, tool catalog in my hands and have it handy. 

They make a quick bug killer in a pinch.  

[Cal]

I put the blame on indoor plumbing... probably why Sears Roebuck & Simpson Sears LTD has gone "down the drain"...

[Gerald]

16 hours ago, Cal said:

I put the blame on indoor plumbing... probably why Sears Roebuck & Simpson Sears LTD has gone "down the drain"...

Right and look at all that quality fresh outdoor air we are missing because of it. OR we could talk about the midnight rush trip.