Reasons for changes to PC Answers

Magazine feedback

sanderton - 29 July 2008 - 11:37am

Hi, I'm the Publishing Director of PC Answers.

I've been reading all of the feedback on this site, and decided it would be best to give you some honest answers.

Many comments have been along the lines of "if it isn't broken, don't fix it". Sadly PC Answers in its old form was definitely broken. I appreciate than many on this forum liked it (so did we!), but the numbers who did - at least enough to buy it - had been getting lower and lower each month.

This had reached the point where was simply impossible to continue to make a living by trying to please an ever-dwindling band of regular readers; the numbers just didn't add up. Especially with huge increases in paper and cover disk prices which are hitting magazines at the moment.

The only way for PC Answers to grow and to continue to be a successful magazine was to reach out to a new, much larger audience, including people who read other magazines such as ComputerActive or WebUser.

It became clear early on in the process of deciding how to change the magazine that it would be impossible to both reach out effectively to that new audience and to continue to appeal so some sections of our existing readership. We had to make the tough call that we had to concentrate on bringing in new readers. We therefore were not surprised by the reaction of some on these forums. We're sorry we had to change the magazine you clearly loved, but the changes were necessary for its very survival.

I hope that if you stick with us you'll find that there is still a lot of very valuable and interesting stuff in the new PCA.

But if not, I'd like to sincerely thank you for your support over the years, and hope you understand the difficult decisons that are necessary in the current commercial environment.

Stuart

Well, at last someone has

PS - 29 July 2008 - 12:14pm

Well, at last someone has appeared out of the woodwork and given an explanation for all the distress that has been caused to regular readers.

Thank you, Stuart for your honesty.

May I suggest, though, that this statement would have gone down a lot better had you made it about a month ago.

It is the way that the changes (both to mag and forum) have been made which has upset us regulars.

The "We know best" attitude of the editorial team, along with accusations of churlishness, have made a tense situation worse.

I certainly won't be renewing my subscription, because the new PCAnswers is obviously not for me, but at least you've cleared the air a bit.

I just hope (for your sake) that you know what you're doing...

Deja Vu?

inkdrop - 29 July 2008 - 12:28pm

Mr Anderton,

First of All, thanks for posting to this forum. Im sure many other publishers would have just let the well run out before trying their best to plug the leak in the spring!

I can't speak for others on here, but as i've been a regular reader since the magazine's conception in the early 90's, i feel its about time i express something about the 'new' mag and current price structure.

when the magazine reached the 150 issue, the magazine celebrated going back over some celebrated issues. I remember then how the the editor of the time said that there was a particular edition where the magazine was going to go 'out of business' but then the format changed, new technologies introduced and the mag came out of the shadows and into the light, surprise surprise, under the auspices of a new editorial team , oh and an increase in price. Suddenly, there was a bright fresh approach people were put into new positions and the paid for freebies were worth the price of the magazine.

we're now approaching the 200th edition (I know its only 188, but i always look ahead). The magazine is thinner than any of its previous issues and the disc content seems to be cut due to a 'teaching you' style of disc - which at last glance can be purchased at a lower price at any branch of curry's.

Im hoping that soon someone will see sense, restore the page content (as you prefer it either thru addition or subtraction of endless adverts) Or by a return to some kind of working format - because as i see it, all i can see are the sister magazines laughing their socks off as their budgets increase funded by the extra quid obtained from PC Answers readers.

All I ask, and i ask most sincerely, is you restore the original page width to restore my faith in this once, brilliant PC Magazine.

Thank You.

Brian F Kirkham

Thanks for your comments

sanderton - 29 July 2008 - 10:21pm

Thanks for your comments Brian.

I must just correct one misconception about the advertising pages, which it seems is quite commonly held.

Advertising pages do not take up pages which could otherwise be used for more editorial; quite the opposite - the profits from advertising allow us to print more editorial pages which we could otherwise not afford.

With paper prices predicted to rise substantially over the next year, I'm afraid there can be no increase in page width. Indeed I would expect many magazines to move to smaller formats to try to minimi the cost hikes.

If that is the case, then

geofftswin - 1 August 2008 - 2:40pm

If that is the case, then why do the page numbers start with the covers?

Books have covers and then start with P1 on the right hand side.

Thus advertising is a method to reduce page-count.

Try starting your page count from the 1st page on the right inside the cover and ending on the last page on the left inside the cover.

Given that oil costs etc are also rising, would not reducing the disc to a small format (or removing it completely) help to offset rising costs?

I understand the need to

pca_ronnie - 2 August 2008 - 5:54pm

I understand the need to update, move on and reach out - fair enough.

I understand the financial pressures and rising costs of resources like paper - can't be helped.

I understand that adverts help keep costs lower - many PC manufacturers use the same strategy and we all benefit.

I don't understand why some of the more "technical" and challenging ellements of the magazine had to be dropped or replaced to make space for bigger pictures and larger font sizes.

Yes, widen the appeal with some easier "how to" sections, basic flowcharts and money-saver tips.

No, don't claim the editorial content is equivalent. I still trust the team and their advice but this mag isn't stretching or challenging me to learn much any more. I can't say I will recommend it to others yet and can't say I will re-subscribe in March unless the quality re-emmerges.

IDEA - to keep costs the same and keep my subscription: reduce the font size slightly, add the more challenging sections, lose the cover disc and give away 'magnifying' specs.

The jury is still out...

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