PC World Forums: Report: Ziff Davis to Shutter PC Magazine Print Edition to Focus Online - PC World Forums

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It is indeed a shame to lose another print magazine; particularly one I grewup in the industry with.
On the other hand, PCMag went down the same road as CompUSA, Circuit City and others that started out as PC-centric outlets - they forgot their base and moved a lot of their content to consumer electronics. I complained about this to PCMag editorial staff long and loud about 5 years ago when they started covering DTV's and cameras. They dropped a lot of their more technical articles (ones that allowed me to learn enough to get into the IT industry, in which I am now a network supervisor) in favor of gadgets; all sorts of things that were fun to play with but you couldn't really "compute" or tinker with.
So I'm sorry to hear that they will be joining the ranks of "Windows Magazine" and the big book Computer Shopper but I guess it was inevitable with their lack of focus.

Loss of focus and mutiple articles about gadgets sounds a lot like current print edition of PCWorld. Can its demise be far behind?

According to Steve Bass in his yahoo groups blog and new TechBite.com newsletter, he agrees with Klaatu... PC World's demise probably isn't far behind, they've already been laying people off left n right.
From Steve Bass's blog
"The hottest news, which shouldn't com as a surprise, is that PC Magazine will stop publishing their print magazine.
'Ziff Davis To Close Print PCMag, Focus On Online; Still Looking For
Options For Gaming Division
< http://snipurl.com/5ximt >
One interesting note: The article says, "'The January issue will be
the last print edition. The Ziff Davis Media title's move to a purely
digital operation eliminates jobs for seven people,' reports Nat Ives"
Only seven people, you're thinking? My guess is that they've already eliminated jobs in preparation for folding the magazine. That's what PCW's doing now -- laying people off left and right.
BTW, PCW also did the story. Only thing they forgot to say was: "and we will be following them shortly into the magazine graveyard."
Probably cut by copy edit.
<
http://www.pcworld.c...e/154165/reportziffdavistoshutterpcmagazineprinteditiontofocus_online.html
>
--Steve
P.S. Don't forget: Tell your ex-spouse, your mail carrier, and maybe even your pin head boss about my new newsletter. Then send 'em here to sign up
< http://www.techbite.com >. Thanks." '

What about all those people who have paid subscriptions that still have years to go? Mine expires in January 2013. Refund? (hint, hint)
TsarNikky

I haven't subscribed to print editions of either PC Word or PC Magizine for years. Like hiboy, I read them mostly for the tech content. I was interested in tweaking my computer and programming. I am not interested in how many devices you can cram into a phone, and my interest in gadgets goes only as far as photography.

It looks like all signs point to the same road..... they shut down their print edition to focus online, and pretty soon their online stuff stars to suffer too.

Hi Nikky,

Yeah, if you have a subscription to PC Mag through 2013, you might want to ask about a refund. Otherwise, you might not see your $ again.

I noted the date of this original post and was floored. As with PC World, I read PC Mag cover to cover. NOT once did I read anything about the coming conversion to 100% digital until I received a post card with the last printed magazine - the print was so small I could barely read it.

Unlike PC World, I have never bothered to register online with PC Mag. since there is little on the web I couldn't read in the magazine, or so I thought - though I didn't find anything on their site that talked about it other than all the dissatisfied subscribers who got the same shock I received.

I just finished registering on their site so that I could post my dissatisfaction with the change and cancel my subscription, and felt I must come here to warn PC World - PC Mag subscribers are cancelling their subscriptions right and left - CAUTION. If PC World wants to keep subscribers, think through your strategy before coming to any decision that involves eliminating a printed magazine.

Why do people subscribe to a magazine:

1) Convenient and portable; I can dogear a page, circle something of interest, or litteraly rip the page out and dispose of what I don't need. I read the magazine in bed at night. I anxiously await the next edition in the mail each month - it is my quiet time entertainment.

2) I don't have to have a battery-draining device lying on my stomach just so I can curl up with a good read at night, on the train, plane, or bus, or riding to work in the morning.

3) I am on a computer all day, as are most subscribers to these types of magazines; the last thing I want to do is come home and get on another computer.

4) I have never had to remove my magazine from my carry-on luggage when going through airport security. I have frequently BOUGHT PC World or PC Mag at an airport just because I forgot to pack my most recent subscription - imagine not being able to find it at the airport bookstore...

PC Mag did not discuss this decision with their readers. PC Mag did not provide a convenient electronic/user friendly version of of the magazine as an alternative. PC Mag has not been very responsive to complaints on the discussion thread - I am not sure if they just don't care or what.

I know times are tough, and the littany that runs through the PC Mag discussion board on this topic is "I would have paid more ..." Most cited that the content of the magazine had deteriorated over the last several years. Perhaps management focused on the wrong problem when making their decision.

Consider all of this, PC World, before making a knee jerk reaction that could make or break the future of your magazine.

I fully agree all especiall the why do people subscribe to a magazine.
To "I don't have to have a battery-draining device lying on my stomach just so I can curl up with a good read at night, on the train, plane, or bus, or riding to work in the morning."
I just will add highligth that this bettery draining device is usually hot and can burn your skin especially when reading in bed... ;)