Thoughts on Digital Publications

N Sperlo wrote: What I would like (and you may already do it) is a feed, so I can see the new online stuff from my homepage like I do for the forum and local news sources. It would grab my attention better unless you always use Nelly lyrics in the title thread.

They do - there's an RSS feed of all the home page stories. Use the reader of your choice.

I've had a Sony reader for several years and an iPad for about a year. I am a voracious reader, and it has saved many many trees. I use the Sony for reading because, well, that's what it's designed to do. And I can easily read it with one hand, more easily than with a book.

To me, magazines are about the content more than the pictures and layout. I'd be happy to get a mostly-text version of GRM that I could carry with me. Give me the important diagrams and such, but most of the pictures aren't necessary to me. The most important thing is that it has to be easy to read. Searchability would be awesome.

I haven't experimented with online magazines through the iPad. We've got one, it's just not something I've done. But I agree with other comments, it would have to be something that could be downloaded and viewed online. PDF would be my preference both as a reader and as an advertiser - from the latter point of view, I want as many eyeballs as possible Plus PDF takes care of the cross-platform problems fairly easily, although making it flow properly on a small screen might be a challenge.

I'm seriously considering subscribing to the digital edition of Racecar Engineering because it's a lot more affordable. I get the paper version of EVO though, haven't experimented with their digital version other than version 1 which wasn't great.

ok, some quick notes about reading a magazine on the iPad.

First- Sports Illustrated. For the iPad, it has it's own app, easy enough to read, change pages by a normal page swipe. Ads come up from the bottom if you want to see more. They had some links to YouTube videos, which works well in a wi-fi environment like home. Takes a long time to download a small 130M magazine. I thought it would be harder to read, but font is pretty good. I don't read this magazine too closely, so I'm not sure what it would be like to stare at it for a while.

Next- Smithsonian. This one downloads from the iPad magazine stand. 250M download is quicker than SI's. Seems to be all there, but I'm not sold on it's interface. Swipe sideways, and it changes articles, swipe up and down- change pages. Now that I have it, I'll read a few articles that I keep meaning to read from the recent issue.

Maybe I need to try reading the recent GRM, but I do fully agree that the magazine needs to fully download to be read- wi-fi or any connection can be a pain, especially on an airplane. Although (e-mag editorial) that's where I like a print mag, since I need something to read between door close and 10k feet.

I'll try reading more tomorrow. Hope that helps.

reply to keith- yea, I'd consider an e-version of RcE, too- but our library gets it. Like a good GRM mag, that's one where links to useful ads quickly would be helpful.

Tom Suddard wrote: WIRED's app is the best. Tons more content. Videos. Perfect formatting. Easily readable. Downloads, then can be viewed offline. This is what we need.

I hear the Hustler and Playboy digital versions are well laid out.
For the good of the company, you should review these publications.

Totally digital and publish total magazine ads/ paying advertisers ,,,,,,,, editorials, readers comments , auction happenings >>>>>>>>>>>>> then make a subscriber button with paypal /CC to articles and content . Pay and subscribe function to see full content . The here's my password/look for free deal would have to be addressed . And it would be nice if you had a LIVE cam at GRM HQ , not in the bathrooms but maybe parking lot 24 / 7 ?

Live patio construction cam

I use Zinio on my iPad for every magazine I read except GRM and a few photography mags, and the only reason I haven't gone fully digital is because those publications are still print-only or only offer an online version to print subscribers.

I have limited space in my apartment and being able to buy and keep years of whole magazines is incredibly beneficial to me. I have no problem with the reading experience on the iPad, and I'm totally fine with Zinio publications that are identical to the print versions. I don't need any extra content, in fact with reasonably-priced publications like GRM, I'd be more than happy to keep paying the same subscription price for a digital-only subscription.

Zinio, by the way, requires no internet connection once the magazine is downloaded. Use it on a plane, in the woods, or whatever. No reason to use a .pdf when Zinio is easier to use and is much, much more secure.

Keith wrote: I'm seriously considering subscribing to the digital edition of Racecar Engineering because it's a lot more affordable.

I would consider that one just cause $10 an issue SUCKS! But I generally look at them at Barnes and Noble and buy the ones which have articles I could actually use.

I put my money where my mouth is and subscribed about an hour ago. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to the implications of the new rules on above-tire openings on LMP cars...

Dunno what the platform is for Racecar Engineering on an iPad, but it is indistinguishable from a PDF from a functional standpoint.