Fictionwise Cancels F&SF Subscriptions

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

go back to doing what's best for customers overall.

That would begin with keeping the doors open for business. I'm sure that if they get solid ground under them they will then look into ways of providing alternative formats outside of the Amazon store.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

Okay, if you can't explain how to read them on a Sony 505, how about a

Let me stop you right there. Other than the Kindle hardware, you can get this hardware and read Kindle formatted wares with it. You may have one already.

But if you don't have one of those devices, or you refuse to read it using one of those devices, there are doubtless other fantasy and science fiction stories and material in the format of your choice. End of story. I'm not commenting on that particular bit anymore.

The story on the screen should be the focus, not the format of the file that it's read from.

[Worldwalker]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Let me stop you right there. Other than the Kindle hardware, you can get this hardware and read Kindle formatted wares with it.

So I can buy a Kindle, or I can buy an iPad, or I can buy a smartphone, or I can buy a different operating system for my netbook, or I can stay home and read on my PC. And you think this is the answer. Are you even understanding why this is totally negating the whole point of buying an ebook reader in the first place?

I don't want to buy a Kindle. I have an ebook reader, and it's not a Kindle; why should I need two?

I don't want to buy an iPad. It's freaking expensive, and it's a lousy ebook reader.

I don't want to buy a smartphone, and I can't afford a data plan for a smartphone anyway (especially since AT&T just ate my cellular carrier).

I don't want to buy a different operating system for my netbook; I like the one I have. Besides, even a 9" netbook is a hell of a lot bigger than an ebook reader.

And I certainly don't want to read magazines on my PC -- if I wanted to read things on my PC, I wouldn't have bought an ebook reader in the first place.

What you're telling me is that if I have a Sony PRS-505 (as I do), or a B&N Nook, or a Kobo, or a BeBook, or any of a zillion other ebook readers, I should replace it with totally different hardware, at considerable expense, just so I could read a magazine?

How about no?

The story on the screen should be the focus, not the format of the file that it's read from.

Yeah, it should be, which is why platform lock-in is a Bad Thing.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

How about no?

I said that in my second paragraph.

[Lemurion]

I know I would have been happier if rather than saying that we'd come back to them - they would have talked about the possibility of them coming back to us if their financial circumstances made it possible.

Going to Kindle-exclusive doesn't mean I can't read the magazine - I have devices that can do it - but going to Amazon's subscription model means I won't buy a subscription again.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

That would begin with keeping the doors open for business. I'm sure that if they get solid ground under them they will then look into ways of providing alternative formats outside of the Amazon store.

By then it will be too late. They will already have alienated many many customers. Bad idea from the get go.

[astrodad]

And they lost a new customer, too. I was about to get Asimov's and F&SF but since Apple and Amazon subscriptions aren't playing nicely, I will have to hold off.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Let me stop you right there. Other than the Kindle hardware, you can get this hardware and read Kindle formatted wares with it. You may have one already.

But if you don't have one of those devices, or you refuse to read it using one of those devices, there are doubtless other fantasy and science fiction stories and material in the format of your choice. End of story. I'm not commenting on that particular bit anymore.

The story on the screen should be the focus, not the format of the file that it's read from.

You are totally missing the plot. Worldwalker wanted to know about reading F&SF on his 505. He did not say his computer, laptop, or netbook. He bought a 505 for using to read eBooks. You keep telling us to read on our computer. If we had wanted to do that, we would not have bought as reader in the first place.

The story on the screen is the focus when it's on the screen. But It won't be on the screen because the file format is incompatible. So yes, the file format is the focus until it's on the screen. With AZW (maybe with DRM) is not going to do many people any good when the device(s) they use require ePub. Sorry, but you have to face reality. The file format matters more then you think.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

I know I would have been happier if rather than saying that we'd come back to them - they would have talked about the possibility of them coming back to us if their financial circumstances made it possible.

Going to Kindle-exclusive doesn't mean I can't read the magazine - I have devices that can do it - but going to Amazon's subscription model means I won't buy a subscription again.

That was a bit smug to say that. Those of use that use ePub won't be going back to them. They left us, not us leaving them.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You are totally missing the plot.

2nd paragraph of the quoted post.

[nashira]

This is like war of the penguins.

That being said... if it's not drm locked it's not such a huge deal but if it is, then you're sort of screwed if you don't have a kindle and want to read on an actual ereader not a computer or other device without possible breaking the law by breaking the drm, period.

On the other hand I have a back catalog of cool looking magazines I've never read to consider getting a copy or two off. [Goes to browse]

[JSWolf]

Gordon Van Gelder is right smug. He thinks F&SF is so wonderful, that those of us reading it in an electronic format that's not Mobipocket will come back to the dead tree version.

Now in 2011 we've dropped several electronic formats to go exclusively with Amazon.com and I'm hearing the same thing. I expect that some of you will never return, but I hope most of you come back.

JSWolf, I understand why you say I am "forcing" you out, but in fact I am continuing to publish the magazine in two formats that are both readily and widely available. It's your choice to reject both formats and you're welcome to it. But please don't pretend that I am forcing you. You can go over here https://www.sfsite.com/fsf/buy-sub.htm and subscribe to the print edition whenever you want or you can buy a single issue from us here http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/current.htm or you can find our magazine in many stores.

His attitude stinks. He just doesn't get it that if I wanted to read F&SF in dead tree, I would have been and this would be a non-issue. But he's taking away the format I did read it in. Now it's just going to be Amazon which is not compatible with my 650. Nor will I be paying money to Amazon for any exclusive eBook. He doesn't get it. I think someone needs to slap him upside the head until he gets it.

[DiapDealer]

I agree, a good head-slap is definitely in order. Now if we could only agree on who actually gets slapped.

[RockdaMan]

Paul Fraser just posted a interesting post about reach, pricing and foreign markets on this topic:

http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/blog/forum...?id=833&page=2

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Paul Fraser just posted a interesting post about reach, pricing and foreign markets on this topic:

http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/blog/forum...?id=833&page=2

pdurrant's and jasonkchapman's replies are even better.