new PCAnswers

<p>Not impressed at all. Apart from less pages the new font is so big the number of words per page seems to have dropped dramatically. I liked PC Answers as it tended to go into depth about topics, now it does not seem to do that. </p>

<p>I'm someone who used to like to have a good read of the magazine, not a 'flicker'. This new look just has too little information in the articles. A shame really as the topics chosen are good. The pictures are too big.</p>

<p>In summary...glitzy maybe but now appears aimed at a lesser technically minded audience. Dumbed down. </p>

<p>Please please please change the font back to the previous one, get the depth back in the articles....or just go back to the better older design.</p>

<p>I have bought every issue since No.4 - this "improved and better than ever !" format version is the worst one I've seen.</p>

<p>The DVD has 90 mins of video tutorials - I'd far rather have a random Linux distro to have a look at !</p>

<p>It has definitely been dumbed down, there is no real depth to the articles, and with bigger graphics and the reduced number of pages, IMHO it is not worth the cover price any more, and I shall be cancelling my quarterly Direct Debit as soon as possible.</p>

<p>Indeed - it came through the door today and I couldn't think what it was as it felt much thinner. 12 pages thinner in fact, and by my counting, 5 pages more adverts than issue 185. Still the same cover price though which seems wrong.</p>

<p>Never mind, cancelled my subscription last month, so hopefully won't have any more issues coming through the door.</p>

<p>As to the content - it did feel a lot more "in-brief" than in the past.</p>

<p>As for the disc, maybe if it was Computer Active which is definitely aimed at a beginner audience, the videos may be the right approach, but I thought PCA was a little more technically minded.</p>

<p>I, too, wasn't overly impressed when I first looked at it; however, given that I've just got a Windows Vista Laptop at work, that I'm trying to get to grips with, I think that the videos could be useful to me! </p>

<p>I have to say that I've rarely used the software that comes with it, so swapping software for videos isn't that much of an issue for me. </p>

<p>I do, agree, though, with those that have said that it seems to be "dumbing down" a bit; I've thought for a while that Computer Active, PC Answers & .NET is overkill, I've an idea that it might be PCA that suffers, though I've a while left yet on the subscription to change my mind!</p>

<p>Haven't seen it yet, tho' am doubtful about whether I'll buy after reading the above comments. </p>

<p>I used to have a subscription but cancelled it when they started sending me red letter bills, demanding payment on the envelope, but inside stated I had 2 months left on my subs (which I had). Just felt like I was being pressurised in to renewing my subs. Even had the postman (a friend) slagging me off that I hadn't paid my bills !! I didn't renew. Only bought issues after that when they had a lot in that appealed to me. </p>

<p>Having said all that, this was a magazine that I have really enjoyed reading from edge to edge in the past. I hope the new format hasn't ruined that.</p>

<p>Maybe like ronnie says, give it an issue or two to settle, then maybe I'll check it out.</p>

<p>I think they have been heavily influenced by MS in that they produce both Windows Vista and Windows XP, which are both "glossy" type magazines.</p>

<p>.... I'd also say that this makes me want to demand that capital punishment be brought back in.</p>

<p>In other words, someone needs to be shot for this.</p>

<p>I'll give it one or two more issues and then I will cancel my subscription if things don't improve.</p>

<p>Haven't seen the new one yet so can't make an informed comment.<br />
Reading the posts so far I now know why Simon left. :wink:</p>

Hi, just like to say thanks for all the feedback here - it's all very useful. Some specific points:

* "The magazine has been dumbed down" I am not sure I completely agree with that. What we have done is make it more accessible, and appeal to a wider audience. The topics covered are still of interest to any reader

* "I miss the free software" We do still include software on the disc, though nowhere near as much. The software we are including complements the features and tutorials. We are not just going to shovel a lot of shareware on there. I appreciate that many people are resistant to change. It is natural, especially for a long established magazine. Pretty much every time a magazine is redesigned there are a host of people who don't like it. Rest assured that we are taking note of all you have to say, and maybe there is some way of accommodating your requests that don't disagree with the core focus of the magazine. Please keep it coming.

This really is the last straw.

If you were trying to get rid of me after 8 years, then it's worked!

Just had to register again as "len" as user name not valid although I used it on 23rd June to criticise in this thread. Have I been struck off for that?
No matter I have cancelled anyway. Still open to suggestions for best alternative.

Once, PCA was the only decent pc magazine about. Now, the new look has changed that. Don`t think I`ll renew my subscription. 

Well, I've just cancelled my subscription, along with many others it would seem.

I've now got about 100 issues of the mag which continue to provide me with a wealth of information.

Issue 187 is about to go where it belongs, in the shredder.

at long last a PCA web site that works with ie7. i do agree with most about the mag i to have cancelled subs but the web site much improved. well done.