If Sub Rosa was to go into print, would you purchase the magazine?
Posted by Greg at 06:13, 07 Dec 2005Yes, on US newstand
20% (270 votes)
Yes via subscription (US)
37% (498 votes)
Yes via subscription (Eur)
11% (142 votes)
Yes via subscription (Aus)
4% (56 votes)
Yes via subscription (other)
6% (78 votes)
No, not interested
23% (308 votes)
Total votes: 1352
Comments
2 March 2005
6 years 32 weeks
Greg,
Yes, I would purchase it and there would be an excellent Japanese market for it if you could get it translated, probably an excellent international market! I'd look into it if I were you; but, maybe you already have!
That's what I think!
kennc
24 July 2005
6 years 47 weeks
I would totally buy it on newstand or subscribing. That would be awesome.
7 December 2005
7 years 11 weeks
I would love it to be in print. I would subscribe in a heart beat.
2 May 2004
3 hours 45 min
I'd love to see Sub Rosa in print.
I'm getting bored waiting for my train with nothing to read but Woman's Day and Girlfriend (although I did find some incredibly useful tips on how to accesorise my underwear to full sexy effect, and what's the latest goss on Angelina Jolie ...)
24 June 2004
5 years 49 weeks
shadows
22 February 2005
5 years 25 weeks
environment friendly version. Any story I like in particular....I print out...easy...saves paper and waste.
DISCLAIMER: the opinions and veiws in this post are mine only and are not those of others or of TDG. Any similarities are by chance only.
1 May 2004
1 year 48 weeks
Hello,
I think Sub-Rosa is great. But a paper magazine would be too bulky for me. I travel around a lot (with my laptop) and the electronic version is just fine.
Neanderthal
'Whatever you do, comes back to you'
1 May 2004
3 days 5 hours
Has to be digital! I keep all sorts of references and reports on alternative history and the only way to do this is digitally. If I need to check a reference, it is quicker and easier to do this electronically.
My bookshelf is over flowing with old books and I have to rely on my memory when looking for items, so digital everytime!
Nostra
30 April 2004
6 hours 9 min
Hi Nostra,
It's not a choice of one or the other. The mag will still be available online. But I take it, in any case, your choice would be not purchase the print version.
Peace and Respect
Greg
-------------------------------------------
You monkeys only think you're running things
1 May 2004
2 years 11 weeks
I would much prefer if I could buy it in a newsagents in the UK than have to subscibe to it from the US but if that is the only financially viable option then fair enough.
One question though (and really is a question, not a statement) - Is a printed version actually that much less environmentally friendly than getting it via the internet? Printed paper can come from sustainable sources such as managed forests whereas the internet version requires electricity from unsustainable burning of fossil fuels to power the computer, monitor, etc.....
T...
21 July 2005
7 years 24 weeks
The Mag is great, make it easier to read on the computer. It looks like a print mag but I think the 2 pages edition is difficult to read and I was not able to download the 1 page.
Print is over, your readers are from around the world, different languages (as you can see by my poor english) and countries, a print edition would take ressources you could use to expand your line of products like:
-podcast
-TV show on the net
-the Sub Rosa encyclopedia
-Special documentaries for Traditional TV and DVD distribution
Digital production technologies and distribution is the way of Now and tomorrow. Think about unifying your brand (TDG or Sub Rosa). Thanks
1 May 2004
1 year 20 weeks
Hi Greg,
I voted no on a retro-paper format, those that wish to hold it can print out the PDF. I understand you wish to enlarge your potential viewer base with an extra format. I'm not saying you shouldn't go for it, but you'll enter another league where getting distributed and displayspace are foremost. I think staying with this format with embedded audio/video will not only limit the use of our natural resources, it will keep things fresh and up to date. The current digital format could be extended to dvd on subscription basis.
Digital publishing hasn't really taken off yet, mainly because the interface (pc / monitor)has its limitations still. It will change and in the meantime staying focussed on digital will allow you to become a player within the alternative niche. There are still many untrodden digital paths to be explored.
If you want to activly pursue extending your viewerbase why not some targetted adds at f.i. fantasy game rooms ( Rico seems to know his way about there). Kat roams around the internet a lot (in a qualified way), i'm sure she 'll have some suggestions as to where an add would work.
ps thanks, the textbox problems have been solved.
" do unto others as you would have them do unto you "
2 May 2004
3 hours 45 min
If you want to activly pursue extending your viewerbase why not some targetted adds at f.i. fantasy game rooms ( Rico seems to know his way about there).
Hey, I'm a nerd, but not that kind of a nerd! ;-)
People will see you reading a print magazine at work, on the bus, at school, in the library, at a cafe, etc. It's the best (mostly because it's free) kind of publicity you can get.
I think some people voted no because they expect this kind of content to be free. In a perfect world, it would be free, and I support that. However, at the end of the day we all need to pay the rent. Greg has kids to support, and the amount of work that goes into TDG and Sub Rosa -- you can't keep doing it all for free, on top of a full-time job and family commitments. Something has to give.
24 June 2004
5 years 49 weeks
I save all my magazines and have them neatly in a cupboard for referring to at a later date.For me it is more convenient than being on the net.I like to take a mag down into the garden to read or to bed.
The internet has never been convenient for me for reading, maybe because I take the opportunity to read whenever and wherever I can.
Printing out the bits I want do not satisfy me either as I need the hit I get from a lovely colourful magazine.
And I don't lend them out.They are as valuable to me as my books.
I don't mind paying for my magazines as I think sometimes that I get more value for money with them than I do with some books.
The problem is that people tend to think of magazines as throw-away items.I don't.
If something has good information it is valuable.
shadows
1 May 2004
1 year 20 weeks
Hi Rico.
I understand it very well Rico, personally i get dizzy entering news stands/shops, just from the amount of flashing covers- the ones that can be seen. What im saying getting exposed is very, very costly . Im sure you've seen the atlantis mag and i doubt Greg will want to follow their path to profitability. So asuming Greg wants a class product, finding the right outlet spaces will be neigh to impossible combining with profitability.
People will see you reading a print magazine at work, on the bus, at school, in the library, at a cafe, etc. It's the best (mostly because it's free) kind of publicity you can get
Sure thing Rico, so why not ask the readership to print sub rosa out, have people sent in pics whilst reading on a dedicated 'testimonial' page, whatever. So too it's possible to ask money for the online version- per item or on a subscription basis. Your argument that people vote no because of the money i find disrespectful and it doesnt correlate with the arguments given.
I just dont want to see Greg going bust with this, as i think there are less risky and just as profitable and fullfilling ways available.
" do unto others as you would have them do unto you "
2 May 2004
3 hours 45 min
I'm not being disrespectful at all, Tox. Some readers don't want to pay for what has always been free content. That's the truth. I'm not saying it's because people are greedy, not at all -- it's because many readers believe information should be free. I'm one of those believers.
However, if having to subscibe to a website, or pay for a magazine, means Greg can devote more of his time to TDG and Sub Rosa, and still be able to support his family (and freelancers like myself can earn a living writing reviews and articles), then I'm all for it.
At the end of the day, the website will still be here, and you'll still be able to download Sub Rosa.
18 August 2005
1 year 37 weeks
I'd be happy to subscribe to a downloadable format. I meant to do the pay pal thing a while back and then forgot (shuffles feet).
Michael
29 June 2004
6 years 7 weeks
You can bet your ass I would. I'd buy it from the News stand or subscription; whatever way I could get it. I think it'd be a great thing, and plus, I could add it to my collection of alternative-themed magazines, such as Dagobert's Revenge.
I say go for it.
" There is no Religion higher than the Truth. "
31 August 2004
19 weeks 2 days
I don't go to "newsstands" and buy mags off the rack. I have postal or online subscriptions to what interests me. Sub Rosa would be nice in print if there were a regular subscription at a reasonable price here in the un-United States. I hope though that I wouldn't be burned like I was with my subscription to "Phenomena". Whatever way it goes I will still be reading Sub Rosa.
Robynne
15 November 2005
7 years 4 days
due to simple honesty. I don't buy any magazines any more. I've been at this for too many years, and there's not enough new to justify the expense, even in sub rosa. 99% of what I read both in print and online is rehash, rewite of material I am long familiar with, so subscription is just not viable for me, to anything.
Just thought I'd toss this in to represent this end of the bell curve ;)
Tiger
1 May 2004
1 day 1 hour
Greg, I will lend my little share of support to whatever you choose to do. I appreciate your work a great deal.
24 November 2005
3 years 30 weeks
Putting it in print the old fashioned way is a great idea. That opens the door to gift subscriptions and the like. Case in point: I had never heard of Wired magazine. Several years ago I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting room. I reached down and picked up that particular magazine. I've been reading it ever since (as well as giving it as a gift subscription). I'd LOVE to give SubRosa as a gift to several people. This is like the argument concerning radio vs television years ago. There is room for both entities. Same with this. Digital is fine but many of us still read the "old fashioned" material too.
Thanks for the opportunity to provide input.
RB
1 May 2004
1 year 23 weeks
I would especially like to be able to get a hard copy version of this issue, for the art work.
It is also easier for me to read long articles on paper. Having to read Sub Rosa in PDF regretably puts this magazine way down at the bottom of my ability to get it read list.
Heck, I still have not read 100% of issue 2! However, if it showed up in the snail mail, I would have it finished in a few days, then go to the computer and follow up the links of interest.
16 July 2005
4 years 31 weeks
I would very much like to obtain a print version by subscription.
Both Sammi (Ramchild7) and I have contributed to TDG's ongoing costs and we presume that a portion of our contributions will help to support Sub Rosa as well. We wouldn't mind paying still more for a print copy.
Personally, I don't much care whether the print version is done on slick or pulp paper but I suspect your advertisers might.
As for newstands, I agree with other comments that Sub Rosa would likely get lost in the mass of competing material. Think of other, valuable, publications that have been killed on the newstands: Gnosis, Magical Blend, Mother Earth News (original), New Moon Rising, etc.
As for the issue of printing out our own hard copies or reading Sub Rosa directly from the monitor:
1. The cost of ink cartridges makes personal print-outs uneconomic. eg. Sub Rosa #3 could burn 1/3 of a cartridge set by itself and at $55USD/set that's a huge cost per issue.
2. Monitors are light emitting devices and those who still want to be able to see by age 60 would do well to ration their monitor time. I do and have, and am much the better for it.
Finally, Sub Rosa is a great read and is getting better with each issue. Thank you for all of the hard work you have put into TDG and Sub Rosa. I'm sure you will be well-rewarded for your effort.
Michael Scott
12 July 2005
7 years 23 weeks
I am unable to donate online but would have no problem in showing my support other ways. I would rather hold it in my hands anyway.
Cheers
1 May 2004
10 hours 23 min
But I don't subscribe to Mags. If something hits me I will buy that copy. So if you have a donation button, I would hit it if I downloaded.
8 February 2005
1 year 13 weeks
Hey, I would be relieved by physical copies of Sub Rosa, mainly because I don't like reading for a long time from computer screens (I don't have a good printer and ink costs alot), and also because my laptop cannot scroll through the Adobe files very quickly. I'd gladly pay!
26 February 2005
3 years 43 weeks
This is the second window that popped up, I wrote a title , then my cat jumped up and scared me and I hit my computer mouse and this window is here. But since I started writing this, I got a bunch of emails in I had to answer and now I forget what I was going to say...
I don't know if another box is up with a title so, what I was going to say I think is, I have too much paper already, mags come in, Smithsonian, National Geographic, Wired, Renewable Energy...bla...bla...bal...and I never relly get a chance to read them. I look at pictures, but, I think I would prefer computer. I am on this more then anything.
ALso, Greg and the others who might be involved with it, I am worried about the expense and the energy of hard copy. Unless you have bucks behind you and a team that is willing to work.
I say that from experience as I had Circular TImesin hard caopy. I came out a bit after Atlantis Rising, however I personally worked with the auhtors as colleaugues , alot of times I got the stories before Doug did, that was kind of weird, tension sort of say, but, he was in color I was not, I was on recycled paper...I had enough subscriptions to pay most of the cost of printing, but the postage and the packing and shipping was immense...I was only me. I financed, wrote, created, packed , mailed everything....People said they would buy subscriptions and some did, I started pirnting more, the mag was growing, but so were the cost and the work....It got over whelming, then it got really expensive, then I had to be in competition for color, but , that was years ago....I just went online and did it for free and it was eaiser and I reached more of the public to educate them and it was less hardship on me and I didn't loose any more money. Aslo, people did not have to feel obligated to subscribe, and then there was always deadline issues....people expect it to be on time...and ..well...I get afraid for you Greg unless you have a lot of money and good help and have the time.
If it is your life's work and that is all you can do and can afford to do it at all costs, I would say, go for it. But, if you even have the slightest gut feeling that you are a little worried, which I can tell, you are fishing it out because you are asking, go with your gut and if your gut says, " maybe I should wait, now is not the right time, or I'm nervous about it...." It is for good reason, read your gut feelings..If you have visions and see it prosper and you see all positive and your gut says, " Yeah, this is really great, this is my life's work and I am totally dedicated to it and can persavere, I am going to do it." .....then I would say do it....
It is hard sometimes to make a decision and a person always wants to make the right one. SOmetimes though, when you analyze it, and figure it too much, you loose your sense of intuition and what the right choice may be and you get stuck in the decison making part and that can be hell....
Maybe , take a break from it and keep on it on line and then later on sit down one day and ask your gut the question....give yourself more time online and see if you can persavere because you know how hard it is now - it is only harder in hard copy....
So, I give my opinion in good spirit and faith and good intentions. I just want you to be comfortable and mkae the right choice with no problems...
I hope this does not sound negative, I am just talking to you, like if you were sittting in front of me and you were to ask me, this is what I would say. What I just said.
OK, I hope there is not another box of me somewhere up...Or lost in cyber spce somewhere...
Greg, what ever you do, I wish you the best in your endeavors...
Colette
Dr. Colette M. Dowell ND
Circular Times
Moving Forward Publications
3 August 2005
3 years 26 weeks
The stuff you choose to write about is a good selection. It should do well. It just doesn't happen to be the stuff I'm interested in. I can get those few things off TDG. So, although I won't subscribe, I suggest you stick to your format and go for it. I think it'll do well.
---
No, I am not the brain specialist.....
YES. Yes I AM the brain specialist.
1 May 2004
1 year 48 weeks
I voted "No, not interested" because that was the closest to my own case. But I think it would be GOOD to print the magazine and get it out to more people.
My case is such that I never know in which country I shall be living in the following few months. And I never know for how long. So a printed version is no good to me (I would constantly be sending in Change-of-Address notices). The electronic version is best for me.
Keep up the good work!
Neanderthal
'Whatever you do, comes back to you'