All of the content that is available in magazines like Webmaster Magazine or whatever magazine that is webmaster-related, can be found on the internet. But still, new magazines are coming in the shops and I keep on wondering why people are still buying offline content.
Lots of webmasters and other people active on the internet, do receive their favorite magazines via ordinary mail. All the information that’s in those webmaster magazines, is available on the internet.
Photo by greggoconnell
The internet is the number one of all information sources. The first thing that can be found on paper, and is not available on the internet, has yet to be found. So why do people keep on buying magazines?
Internet isn’t available in trains and busses
Take a look around, when you’re in a train or bus, many people are reading magazines. Off course there are people who can connect to the internet everywhere in the world, but the majority of the people won’t be able to connect to the internet, while traveling in a train or bus.
If you’re reading articles on the internet, all day long about your niche or work, it’s easy to buy a magazine in a local shop, to read while underway. Once the internet is available through the air, everywhere in the world, magazines will lose this battle, since the main advantage is lost ever since.
People, who are behind a screen all day, love to read content on paper
Imagine yourself, working behind a computerscreen all day long. Once you’re done working, you won’t dive into some online content, just reading for fun. You’re eyes will suffer a lot, when you’re taking to much screen-time every day.
Thus people tend to read offline content more, when they are working on a computer all day. Besides that, there are lots of people who like to read a magazine above reading a internet page.
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I still buy magazines, but I know the internet is a great opponent to the offline content. It’s just, like you mention in the article, that it’s easier to read on paper than a screen, while underway!
I believe that’s the main reason to buy magazines, to read about the things you like while not having a computer at your side.
Well, I’m one of those people working from behind a screen most of the day.
Not that going home changes much about this, as then I work on my own projects and hobbies - which are also computer based.
I have quite a way - by train - to my office each day, so in my notebook’s bag you find at all times:
1. A novel
2. A copy of Linux magazine (English) or CT (german edition… Dude do I get go to lengths to find them around here sometimes…)
3. Depending what I work on at the moment, a “Nutshell” book on programming language XY.
4. A copy of “Der Spiegel” or some other weekly political magazine.
I read an article a few years back stating that you can read good old books and magazines 25% faster than Internet content.
For me, this wouldn’t be the only reason to stick with the old print medium.
When I read my novel, I just want to relax. Focus on those pages and get away into whatever other place the book lures me to. (Currently 19th century Canada). I find it much harder for my mind to get me there, would I read the same book as, let’s say an EBook.
The same goes for the computer mags. I can fully concentrate on an article first, then look for additional opinions/information on a given subject in the net later on.
Books on progging: Happily scribble side notes the old fashioned way with a pencil. Also bookmark the old fashioned way or stick notes in there…
Just my way to work.