Online Magazines

[Graeme M]

I remember we had a discussion about this a few years back. At that time I subscribed to a few mags online but found the experience underwhelming. Well, no more! I bought a Google Nexus tablet which has one of the highest res screens around. Combine that with the ease of use of a 10" tablet and I'm loving my online mags. I can view them in sharp hi-def colour, take em anywhere and have pretty much the same (actually slightly better) experience as hard copy. Plus they are way way cheaper. I subscribe to several bike mags plus a few more mainstream mags via Zinio.

Highly recommended.

[EML]

I am currently on a Samsung tablet and am finding it rather difficult to get used to. I have tried a couple of "test rides" of mags offered on here and found them just "ok" and I haven't found any of my regulars to download on their list. No VMX or Oldbike and deff no Classic Dirtbike from UK 

[jerry]

Will VMX ever go online? I would be torn that's for sure. J

[Rossvickicampbell]

just recently got an Ipad - was thinking - geez VMX mag would be good on this - but would still want a hardcopy for home.

[djr]

Classic Dirt Bike from UK is available as a download {details available at classicdirtbike.co.uk}
A few months back I emailed VMX mag and politely asked if they had any plans for a digital copy of the magazine . The answer was a firm NO , in fact the person who answered the email seemed offended that I even asked about a digital version of the mag.
Many Magazines are available online these days but it doesnt mean the end of printed magazines , its another source of revenue for the publisher.
It just gives the reader more choice.

[TM BILL]

With respect to the VMX owners publishers i think it would be a black day if the magazine was available in electronic form .

VMX mag is special and copies are more than just a magazine .

I have no problem with electronic magazines for those other rags but VMX is special  been collecting them since edition #1 and have a couple of sets plus some spares .

That classic dirt bike rag  i have bought those since edition #1 too and every time i question WTF did i bother  they started good but have gone through a number of editors and the current one has no forking idea 

I should get that one online so after i have read the couple of articles that are any good  i can ditch it at a cheaper cost 

VMX is much more than just a magazine its a classic and should be treated with respect like all things classic 

[T250K]

That's it in a nutshell Bill.      Takes one to know one.     

[firko]

I've been a compulsive reader for my whole life and have recently started to use my Dreambook tablet (el cheapo I Pad copy) as a sort surrogate Kindle, downloading novels. (I'm currently reading Peter Fitzsimons astoundingly good 'Batavia'). Being an oldschool Philistine, I'm still coming to grips with the technology but i'm getting better. I find it great for reading in bed as you don't disturb significant others by the need to have a light on. I haven't tried any of the online motorcycle magazines mainly because I'm not all that interested in the latest and greatest of the month any more. I still get my comp issue of ADB every issue so that's all I need to fill me in on the goings on in that world.

ps....TM Bill and I think like we're joined at the hip on VMX going online......and the ever worsening Classic Dirt Bike from the UK. I'd love the job editing that rag, I couldn't be any worse that whoever is in charge right now. 

[Graeme M]

Must say I agree re CDB... I would buy a copy and then think why did I spend all that money on this? So I bought a special low price online sub and now I can read it for what few nuggets it may contain while keeping most of my money in my pocket. I also got a US mainstream mag for about $10 for 12 months which I thought was neat. I reckon I might add a Dirt Action sub to the stable rather than forking out at the newsagent.

And while I generally agree about VMX magazine (and although I have no idea about costs or constraints of doing it via Zinio), you'd imagine that offering it online at a lower price might increase global reach? Perhaps the profit margins aren't there.

[TM BILL]

Bloody hell Mark , get your CV to the publishers of  CDB ASAP   all shit aside you could really make that mag work i believe  

The current editor bless him   gives it a go but to be honest hes out of his depth as much as i would be running customer services desk  

You could probably run the whole bloody thing from Casa del Firko on your new fancy tablet thingy , but of course there would have to be a few trips a year to the office in the UK and to cover a few international events and bikes  

I think that magazine has some potential ( of course it could never reach the std of VMX ) but with the right bloke steering it , it could be a good read  

[firko]

Bloody hell Mark , get your CV to the publishers of  CDB ASAP  Grin all shit aside you could really make that mag work I believe

Aw shucks Bill but it wouldn't take Ernest Hemingway to get it right. Besides the piss poor editing allowing for some rookie typo's and laughable layouts to get through, the feature bike choice is abysmal and to spread that awful ex army Can Am project out over six issues (so far) is stretching it way past my interest level. In a country with over 80 million people you'd think they'd be able to find some genuinely photogenic, interesting and unique feature bikes....Jeez, a trip to Flowerpot Bens house would give 'em enough quality feature bikes to last a year .

VMX is still the standard bearer for our sport, many have tried (has Moto Retro finally died?) to topple it but VMX goes from  strength to strength. I'm not sure if going online is a feasible option right now but as the media becomes more and more electronically centred I guess it's bound to eventually happen.

[Graeme M]

Yeah, wonder what happened to Moto Retro? Must check their website...  I'm with Bill, Vote 1 for Firko to edit CDB and make it into what it should be. Or...

VMX Magazine mount a takeover bid.

[PEZBerq]

VMX online does not mean the hard copy version should get ditched. Why not offer a choice for the punter?

 I reckon many of us would go for both for the convenience of having it with you wherever you travel - something the hardcopy library will never be! On long flights I get a heap of mag reading in on my iPad - brilliant and it doesn't weigh stuff all!

Also check out the Readr app. $10 per month for unlimited access to a shitload of mags including RacerX, Dirt Bike, MXA, Dirt Rider and several pommy ones also. Plus cars mags, F1 mags, sports, running, embroidery etc 

[Rossvickicampbell]

I agree with Graeme - I have a current subscription with VMX and like Bill keep my hard copy collection going - but I can't get it here to where I work - no way is that gunna happen  :'(  - so would love to be able to access an electronic version to keep up to date.  I can't remember when I last laid my hands on a "real" VMX magazine (August last year I think, maybe?)