Will Online Content Replace the Written Word

[Tiger]

I think there are two separate issues here: the medium through which people consume information and there propensity to pay for it. Certainly in the case of books it has actually helped unpublished authors get into the market thereby boosting paid for content. In terms of magazines I would say there are three principle reasons why GM will still be able to charge for content:

1. Access - they can get inside the ropes, talk to the pros, speak with manufacturers etc how many bloggers or forumites can do that?
2. Credibility - I certainly hold GMs content in much higher regard than a lot of online content (though I can't say the same for all golf mags)
3. Quality - I still like to read well researched and well constructed editorial - the Joe Louis article is a good case in point

I think some magazines will survive because they are niche and specialist others will survive because they are glossy and gossy. All that will change is how we buy and consume them

 

[Hacker Khan]

I think there are two separate issues here: the medium through which people consume information and there propensity to pay for it. Certainly in the case of books it has actually helped unpublished authors get into the market thereby boosting paid for content. In terms of magazines I would say there are three principle reasons why GM will still be able to charge for content:

1. Access - they can get inside the ropes, talk to the pros, speak with manufacturers etc how many bloggers or forumites can do that?
2. Credibility - I certainly hold GMs content in much higher regard than a lot of online content (though I can't say the same for all golf mags)
3. Quality - I still like to read well researched and well constructed editorial - the Joe Louis article is a good case in point

I think some magazines will survive because they are niche and specialist others will survive because they are glossy and gossy. All that will change is how we buy and consume them

Interesting point about access. My take is that nowadays the access to the modern pros is all controlled by their sponsors. And of course their sponsors want to use the channels with the most exposure. So if a magazines readership starts to dwindle and say a you tube channel or even blogger starts getting a huge number of hits, then I bet that channel will get access to the players easily enough. Also you can get pretty immediate access to everyone on twitter.

As for credibility then fair point. I'd kind of disagree that GM is more credible than any of the other major golf mags, to me they are all equally as credible. But the one area that I do think there is an issue is club testing. Honestly I think I would get a more honest appraisal, including the down sides, from independent web sites than the mags. Purely because the mags are understandably not going to criticize too much. And I think the excuse that there are no bad clubs out there is just that, an excuse. All you need to do is recalibrate the scale then (and this is by no means just a GM issue).

 

[jimbob.someroo]

I fall into that category you cheeky ******* You calling me old! I will let you know I have a 32K Ram pack on my Spectrum, that's how cutting edge I am, so stick that up your pipe and smoke it. .

Haha no offence meant of course sir! my point, which I failed to make very well, is that the 60 year olds of 2020 will be more tech-savvy (in general) than the 60 year olds of 2010

 

[Hacker Khan]

Haha no offence meant of course sir! my point, which I failed to make very well, is that the 60 year olds of 2020 will be more tech-savvy (in general) than the 60 year olds of 2010

Very true. When I was 7 I could just about manage the technology in Top Trumps. My daughter at the same age is showing me how to use an IPad. Scary.

 

[jimbob.someroo]

Very true. When I was 7 I could just about manage the technology in Top Trumps. My daughter at the same age is showing me how to use an IPad. Scary.

I'm 23 and like to think I'm pretty 'on the button' with these things. My 8 year old cousins know more about my iPhone than I ever will. It's ridiculous!

 

[MegaSteve]

Honestly I think I would get a more honest appraisal, including the down sides, from independent web sites than the mags.

Don't necessarily agree with this... Everyone has an 'axe to grind' of some sort...