  Behind
the Buoy
Richard Schwartz Publisher Emeritus
Michael G. Sciulla Editor & Publisher
March 2008
The launch of the first digital edition of BoatUS Magazine in January
generated a wide range of reactions from our readers.
Rick Gilbride, for example, could not have been more complimentary: "I
have been a proud member for 30 years and have never written to BoatUS until
now because I felt you have always done a fantastic job with everything. A
year ago I had to move from my home in Florida to Malaysia for two years and
the web has become my contact with the U.S.
One of the things I missed (after 30 years) was my BoatUS Magazine. Well, you
can imagine my excitement when I received the e-mail this morning with my new
cyber copy. Thank you so much from this member living on the South China Sea
for making me a little less homesick!!! Keep up all the good hard work; it
is appreciated by the silent majority."
For his part, one unnamed member of the "silent majority," a self-proclaimed "geek" who
is online most of the time he's not afloat, wasn't so silent in letting us
know his opinion of the new digital edition. "I do most of my pleasure
reading in the head, so please don't even think about stopping the presses," he
said.
"We have absolutely no intention of doing so," we wrote back, assuring
this reader that BoatUS will now be producing two versions of BoatUS Magazine:
the printed version for those who prefer the "real thing" and the digital
version for those who want to have a virtual magazine experience with a little
something extra.
For those of you unfamiliar with digital magazines, that little something extra
includes the ability to keyword search the entire magazine. Being able to click
on an advertiser's web address and go directly to their web site without having
to put down the magazine and firing up the computer is also a big advantage.
Another great feature is the ability to copy a particular article and e-mail
it to a friend. For those of us who are type-size challenged, you can increase
the point size of the type, making it much easier on your eyes! You can even
adjust the sound to hear the pages turn. Plus, for our readers who are now
on their boats or planning some extended cruising, your digital magazine is
as close as a computer and you don't have to wait for your mail to catch up
with you!
Best of all, you don't have to choose between receiving either version of the
magazine. As a member in good standing, you can have both the print and digital
version. In fact, 48% of those responding to our imbedded survey indicated
that they would prefer to receive both versions. Of course, the key to receiving
the digital version in the first place is providing BoatUS with your e-mail
address since the digital version of the magazine is only sent to those members
who have provided us with this point of contact. It's easy, just e-mail us
at Membership@BoatUS.com.
Meanwhile, should you wish to save a boatload of trees from being cut down
and transformed into a magazine, we would be more than happy to just send you
the digital version and stop mailing you a printed version. So far, our survey
results indicate that 28% of our readers would be happy getting just the digital
version. It's your choice. You can go digital-only by going to www.BoatUS.com/MagazineOptOut.
For those readers who are undecided, our survey reveals that 75% of those who
accessed the digital version of our January edition had a positive overall
impression, with 92% saying the digital edition was easy to open/access and
68% indicating that the articles were easy to read.
And, although the feedback to date has been very positive, new technologies
are never rolled out without some problems. Some readers report having difficulties
because of browser or bandwidth issues. If you run into such problems, our
digital provider, Nxtbook Media, is available to help sort out your problems
and can be contacted at Techsupport@NxtbookMedia.com.
So, sit back, relax and enjoy this latest issue knowing that as a member of
Boat Owners Association of The United States, you can have it your way.
© Copyright
BoatUS Magazine |
