Tanzer's IWC eliminates print version.

WINE TALK
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I still subscribe to WA, WS and IWC in the printed versions. Today, I got a letter from Mr. Tanzer saying the print version is being terminated immediately. He makes a good point that the electronic version saves trees and money while offering more content, quicker posting of reviews, searches, etc.

While I agree completely, and especially look forward to CT integration, I’ll have to change my habits. I rarely take the computer to my “reading room”. Because IWC is the publication that has the strongest influence on my purchasing decisions, I really hope I’ll make a habit of checking in to find the new material.

I wonder what impact this will have on his business. I also wonder if WA will be next.

2

Uncle Bob stated yesterday that the next issue of TWA SHOULD be available as a printable PDF…this might be the beginnings of going completely paperless on his end.

3

Fairly big news. Was bound to happen sooner or later. Periodicals in print are on the endangered species list.

4

Indeed. Glad to hear it. No reason to have a print issue of these things.

5

I’m quite surprised this didn’t happen a year ago. Bob always complains about the cost of printing, and Tanzer doesn’t have near the readership. This is a bold move, but clearly a step in the right direction.

6

Oh, I’ll give you one good reason. Let’s say you subscribe to a publication. If you get the print version, you get to keep it as long as you want. If you subscribe to the online version, you might have access to a particular volume only so long as you maintain your subscription…

Bruce

7

Bruce, just curious, how often do you find yourself flipping through old issues in paper while searching for a review? Ever? (I have a shelf full of IWC and WA issues, but I have never once actually gone back to them.) Is it just the idea of the loss of a ‘perpetual license’ that bothers you, or do you actually reuse the paper?

8

Of course I am ITB so my circumstances are different . . .

I search through the print versions fairly often. I search the online forum every day. I find the search engine sucks sometimes and I also like to see how things were organized originally, etc.

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[winner.gif]

Agreed Bruce.

I thumb through old IWC print issues quite often. Whether it’s something for “the reading room,” with breakfast or what have you, I prefer print. Good for the commuter rail, too. And the license aspect is an added bummer, though I dont like reading The Boston Globe (or WSJ/NYT) online either, and those would be free.

Give me some paper, darn it.

10

I didn’t realize IWC had a paper version!! [rofl.gif]

11

if IWC uses a PDF then you can print it and use it in your “reading room.” nothing lost.

12

Just as I dropped my online subscription hoping to just go back to the old fashioned print version. I actually always liked this publication. My only beef was Tanzer’s yammering about over the top wines only to hand out great scores to several CA wineries that definitely make some jammy wines.
The online version is actually way way superior to ebob.

13

Damn it, and I just renewed my subscription - I didn’t even read the notice (if that’s where it was?). Oh, and I’m another one who often goes back to old issues for reference purposes.

14

This is a great idea. As others have said, if you would like the print version, just print it out.

15

I’m looking forward to the rebate for printing and postage costs

16

[thumbs-up.gif]

17

Eric–I do go back to old issues, plus I like taking them with me and reading them while traveling, while hanging out in a waiting room, while hanging out in the “reading room,” etc.

Now, I don’t need a print version of Wine Berserkers…

Bruce

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According to the email notice I received:

“It is likely that even before we adopt the new software, we will be able to provide electronic subscribers with a greatly improved function for printing out IWC notes and articles.”

I guess we wait and see what this will look like.

For those, like me, who recently renewed their print subscription, the online subscription will be extended:

“For each bimonthly print issue we still owe you, we will credit you for two months of on-line access to the IWC site.”

That seemed fair.