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.