Thread: Wood Working Magazines and the Internet

I like that many of them are now making all the back-issues available on a DVD/CD. I've got some of the older Wood, Fine Woodworking and Popular Woodworking back issue DVDs and its nice to be able to go back and look at all those old articles.

I think that as more folks move to things like tablets and ipads that print magazines will have to adjust or at least rethink about the value they can add in hard copy vs. online.

I have an online subscription to Fine Woodworking, used to get it in paper form from the US at about double the cost.
The good thing about this digital subscription is that not only can I read the magazine online, I can download each article in digital format (pdf).
For the cost of a modest yearly subscription I also have online access to all the back issues of Fine Woodworking.

One wonders if/when the print edition is no longer viable whether the digital format would disappear as well.

I see that Australian Wood Review now also offers a digital version for iPhone/iPad (Android as well?) but I am not sure whether that version allows downloading of the articles.

I guess the whole print media industry is in a state of flux, I haven't bought my favourite paper (The Age) for quite some time, reading it online instead but may have to pay for the privilege in the (near) future.

There is no doubt that printed media is heading towards digital subscription. This issue at the moment though, is storing and referencing your digital information, something I'm looking at solving at. I do consider the printed format is more tangible. I love referencing and searching for something I can leave on the workbench and look at whilst I'm working. I'm not so keen to leave my laptop in the shed whilst working though. Maybe the iPad or iPhone goes someway to addressing this (I have neither).

It's also a time to stock up and collect back issues of some magazines. Those will become extremely valuable in the future. Some hopeful fool is expecting $100-200 for issues 1-10 on eBay at the moment. Food for thought.

I do love the random-access nature of web searching.... but, there are many things I've learnt from flicking through magazines/books that I wouldn't have learnt otherwise.... and given the choice, I'd prefer to read a paper magazine than the equivalent online. I just don't like having to store said magazines!

Originally Posted by sjt

There is no doubt that printed media is heading towards digital subscription. This issue at the moment though, is storing and referencing your digital information, something I'm looking at solving at the moment. I do consider the printed format is more tangible at the moment. I love referencing and searching for something I can leave on the workbench and look at whilst I'm working. I'm not so keen to leave my laptop in the shed whilst working though. Maybe the iPad or iPhone goes someway to addressing this (I have neither).

It's also a time to stock up and collect back issues of some magazines. Those will become extremely valuable in the future. Some hopeful fool is expecting $100-200 for issues 1-10 on eBay at the moment. Food for thought.

Using the digital article in the shed is actually easier than when I had printed format only. I can quickly print out a pdf article, use it in the shed, then discard it when finished.

I have all the pdf FWW articles indexed by subject, as well as in chronological order. So if I want to see an article on eg box making every article in FWW on that subject is in one folder on the computer. Can't do that with the print version, you can have a printed index but you still have to find each article in the relevant print issue.
I have all the printed AWR issues (except one, #4) and would be very reluctant to part with them.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Using the digital article in the shed is actually easier than when I had printed format only. I can quickly print out a pdf article, use it in the shed, then discard it when finished.

I'm a bit paper conscious. Why print when you've already have it to view? The exception, of course, would be a less than portable computer.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

I have all the pdf FWW articles indexed by subject, as well as in chronological order. So if I want to see an article on eg box making every article in FWW on that subject is in one folder on the computer. Can't do that with the print version, you can have a printed index but you still have to find each article in the relevant print issue.
I have all the printed AWR issues (except one, #4) and would be very reluctant to part with them.

I'm without many issues of AWR between 1-20. Trying to fill that void though.

Originally Posted by sjt

I'm a bit paper conscious. Why print when you've already have it to view? The exception, of course, would be a less than portable computer.
.

I think I may be a bit more paper conscious than you Scott, look at all the paper I am saving each month by not buying a paper magazine

Originally Posted by Big Shed

I think I may be a bit more paper conscious than you Scott, look at all the paper I am saving each month by not buying a paper magazine

Got me

Originally Posted by sjt

Got me

........and if I may parade my environmental credentials even further, the paper then gets shredded, used as lining in the chook nests and then finishes up in the compost heap

Originally Posted by Big Shed

........and if I may parade my environmental credentials even further, the paper then gets shredded, used as lining in the chook nests and then finishes up in the compost heap

Paper is good for the compost, we do the same, along with the ash from the fire, grass clippings, chopped up leaves and Fred's AWR collection