The Magazine

zaphod1 · Joined: 27 Jul 2003 Posts: 7 Location: The Colony

Is the magazine not printed any more????? Im not really happy if that is the case as I have missed several issues due to that fact. :evil: :evil:

Gar · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Posts: 533 Location: Lavon,Texas

The Dirt Magazine is no longer printed and sent out. It is now on line in the members section. The magazine has much more in it then the printed version. I believe the March issue is 72 pages. Go to the members section and down load it. Then you can print it or keep it as a soft copy.

zaphod1 · Joined: 27 Jul 2003 Posts: 7 Location: The Colony

But who decided this would be a good thing? Who asked the rest of us. I now have to spend my money on ink and paper to print a magazine that when I joined was told would be delivered to my door step. I now am having to spend the time to download and print. I suppose that I cannot get the past issues I have missed as I cant remember when the last issue I saw in my box was. By the way cost could have been reduced by recycled paper and thinner stock. This is really making me question where all the expense of the membership money goes now. As I am having to spend the bulk of my time printing, binding, and stapling I think we are all in for a discount. I still havent seen the one thing that would be worth downloading.....the Saturday and Sunday show. I sometimes have other things going on and would like the show in a format I can take with me....ie. MP3 or wave. This would not be hard to do and Im sure not everyone can catch all the shows. I will download the current one and see what (extra) it has to offer but, Im still not impressed with this new format.....makes it kinda hard to lug my computer out to the garden with me.!!!!!!

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: and GRRRRR!

kbrew · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 358 Location: Midlothian,TEXAS

I understand what you are saying. On the other hand, the one good thing about the pdf format is that you can choose to print only the articles that interest you. The back issues are available as well.

zaphod1 · Joined: 27 Jul 2003 Posts: 7 Location: The Colony

So what your telling me is that your going to keep every issue on line forever? What If I want to go back two years and look up something I remember reading back then? I imagine that your space on the server is precious and this will not be possible.

By the way......I havent heard anyone directly explain why this was done. I as a member would have liked to have had a voice in the process. How do you take a PDF on the road or the bus with you?

Just trying to point out how this is going to impact me in the pocket for my printing costs, which far exceed having them printed in bulk.

Member without a voice.....

kbrew · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 358 Location: Midlothian,TEXAS

zaphod1 wrote: So what your telling me is that your going to keep every issue on line forever?
Since I'm just a member I can't answer that. I was just looking for a benefit to it.

Mr. Clean · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 708 Location: Garland, Texas

zaphod1,

This topic has already been discussed, including some of the specific issues you raised. No genuine attempt (IMO) was made by the Dirt Doctor staff to answer direct questions regarding the changes. Even more disconcerting was the lack of HG's involvement in the discussion. I have heard a listener speak specifically to the topic, indicating that she didn't have a computer. HG offered no apology, but just the alternative of sending him a SASE for the free handouts.

Anyway, now that you have knocked that scab off :) . If you want to read the earlier thread have at it.

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5535&highlight=

pakin · Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 219 Location: Hubbard,TEXAS

I felt the same way at first. The printed mag came in the mail; I didn't have to remember to go on line, etc. But it got me to go on line and use the Discussion Board, for example.

Surely there's a good reason for going on line...So I've adjusted to it.

Pat - Central TX

Mr. Clean · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 708 Location: Garland, Texas

pakin wrote: ...Surely there's a good reason for going on line...

I'm sure that it represents a signifcant cost savings.

admin · Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Posts: 172 Location: McKinney,TX

zaphod1 wrote: Is the magazine not printed any more????? Im not really happy if that is the case as I have missed several issues due to that fact. :evil: :evil:

That is correct, The DIRT is only available online at this time.... Changing the delivery method of the Dirt magazine was a decision we spent a lot of hours discussing and evaluating. As for specific users who were consulted, I can't provide names, as I was not involved in that process... We believe that we can communicate the Dirt Doctor's information and advice as well as build a better community through using video, delivering live seminars & education though the internet and adding video elements to the written materials. I apologize if the change caught you by surprise, as we made several attempts to contact everyone via email and US Mail prior to the change... We appreciate your membership and hope to be able to continue to serve you.