Would you prefer numismatic articles…

RWB

…delivered in a weekly or monthly publication subscription, or a la carte from a web site where you select what you want and pay only for what you want?

llafoe

Tough question... I'm already overwhelmed by all the FREE information available online. It's rare NOT to find the information I'm seeking for FREE online. In the rare instance I can't find that information, I post a question on the forum. I guess if I had to make a choice, I'd select ala-carte over general information.

tjc2120

Monthly, in print. But only if the content is numismatic.

ricko

Ala carte'... since my interest does not cover ALL the numismatic nooks and crannies. One of the reasons I quit subscribing to numismatic publications - way too much that was either continuously recycled or not of interest. Cheers, RickO

Coinosaurus

I was in Union Station in Chicago last night and found myself wondering why there was still a magazine stand there. Isn't print dead yet?

Everyone on the train has their laptops open and their wireless cards plugged in.

I think the value of the monthly print version is that, if it is well done, it will reveal things that are interesting that you didn't know about before.

On the other hand, if you are going a la carte off the web, you may be less likely to look at new things, especially if you have to pay right then and there.

I bought a copy of the NYT and read it all the way home. Even though they can only write with one hand, they do a bang up job.

razzle

No question, a la carte over the web. Because I'm such a novice (and a hoarder) I am most interested in a little info about a lot of coins, rather than any particular depth about a certain type.

llafoe, you wrote:



<< <i> I'm already overwhelmed by all the FREE information available online. It's rare NOT to find the information I'm seeking for FREE online. >>



What are some of your favorite sites (besides this one- which would be hard to beat)?

Thank you in advance.

canadanz

<< <i>…delivered in a weekly or monthly publication subscription, or a la carte from a web site where you select what you want and pay only for what you want? >>



Monthly in print with access to everything online.

pruebas

As one of the [handful of?] former subscribers to the ANA Journal [RIP], I enjoyed the scholarly articles in areas outside of my primary interests. And I was willing to pay up for it because of the guaranteed high quality. Pity there were not enough of us [subscribers and writers] to make it viable.

RWB

Interesting. Seems the responses are as fragmented as the hobby.

tydye

I prefer the printed version. I just enjoy reading in that format compared to online. Plus I view the printed version as a more reliable source of accurate information than an online venue.

RWB

How about being able to order on line and have the article PDF file sent to you via email (or on disc if too large to email)?

lkeigwin

Looking at this from a human nature perspective, I think many folks will pay for a subscription (a one time thing) to enjoy unlimited access even if their interests are narrow.

Personally, I dislike having to pay many small fees for reading/receiving selected articles. Sometimes it's just too much trouble, inconvenient, or a matter of not wanting to use my credit cards over and over.

I also think it's a good idea to promote such a business through introductory freebies so readers can judge value and their interest before committing.
Lance.

MsMorrisine

<< <i>How about being able to order on line and have the article PDF file sent to you via email (or on disc if too large to email)? >>



instead of being sent by mail, something similar to itunes could be made where the file is put into an account for download.

RWB

Thanks! I'm still testing operational models for a Journal of Numismatic Research, aimed at American numismatics.

The “airline” model of charging for every individual item has plusses and minuses, as does the subscription model. One major difficulty with subscriptions is that there is no standard publication cycle or issue size for what is possible in the real world. I’m not interested in competing with existing commercial hobby publications.

I programmed and ran Monte Carlo model simulations, but other than learning that I’d lose money for the next 75-years, the results weren’t decisive….not enough high quality input data.

MrEureka

My preference would be to buy a supply of chits that can be redeemed for articles of my choice. It would have to be at a good quantity discount, and the chits could not have an expiration date. And it would be even better if the chits could be used on multiple websites, not just yours.

Swampboy

As I get older and as I access more and more online resources that interest me I've begun
to appreciate more and more books and magazines I can hold in my hands and enjoy.
Monitors are necessary but tedious.
That's just me.