I am experimenting with this new platform for digital publishing.

Hi --

I am not a fan of the page flipping view technology that is out there.

As a pioneer for many of the technical advancements at Omnipress, I actually recommended not going there with our association customers. A few (out of hundreds) have asked about it, but they were mainly inquiries on conversion and price.

Personally, it's an unnatural way to read and navigate on the web... You might think, well heck, different is good and I would agree if most of the content I read was in the issuu format, but every time i have to use issuu or similar platforms, there's a learning curve (and I'd consider myself pretty intuitive with technology).

I used to get a few magazines in print, then they switched to issuu format and I've been miserable since with their content, so I stopped reading it and asked for the print version back. I would have been happier with a PDF file.

Back to the technology, I have two monitors -- my work one is a 22" widescreen, so the viewing size is really nice and works better with issuu, but I still have to zoom in and zoom out and locating the articles index to quickly jump is not intuitive. My other computer I frequently use is my eeepc with a 10.1" screen so I don't even consider reading issuu files at all. And lastly, I sometimes use my iphone -- same issue.

I can't remember the names of the other technologies out there, but I do remember issuu being the one that stood out, but unfortunately I am not a fan of this "cool" technology and the sound of page swooshing isn't enough for me to just mustard through it.

I would put a test out to a subset of your readership and ask them what they want. Share with them a sample and ask them a few questions.

Although I'd like to think I represent a greater size of the pie, I am just an N of one.

Curious to what others think.

Christopher, I'd be interested to see the sample and provide feedback. The necessary zooming in and out of the flipping view tech is definitely not ideal for reading online.

Hi Christina -

here u go.
http://web.me.com/da3nyc/Digital/Digital_Edition.html

I agree - the graphics are very sharp and vibrant, but it doesn't fair well in term of readability. For example, there is no ability to search the articles. A true digital version would be a better fit IMHO.

David,

I think it looks good and you probably need to provide a digital option to your readers. I do have to agree with Christopher on the points he made. I had requested digital versions of various trade magazines and found that I never ended up reading them and switched back to the print version. I'm also not a fan of reading books electronically. There is something about the feel of a book that adds to the reading experience. I also fee that being in front of the computer most of the day it's nice to take a break and read something without computer glare. I feel the same way about magazines. I will be one of your readers who will continue to want one mailed to me.

Samantha

Have seen this platform before and like it. Nice mix between best of web browsing (linkable items) and traditional magazine view

However, I think that you need to consider...what is the target market. I am a voracious online reader, yet I like to receive all of my trade mags in hard copy. Maybe that's just a holdover from old-school, but I tend to experience that when I am somewhat resistant to something progressive, there are a whole LOT of ppl also resistant.

The ipad and other eReaders are a format that might be another story. For web, I think it might have limited uptake. That being said, my comment above still stands. For what it is, I like the way it looks/works.

Hi David -

It looks like you have some great feedback. Here are some other observations.

I don't consume digital content the same way that I consume paper-based magazines. Online I don't have attention for long articles that don't use subtitles and images to break up the content. When I see a full page of written text - I usually skip it. Having said that - when I do find something that I like - I want to share it with my network - either on twitter, linkedin, facebook or email.

I found myself flipping through this digital magazine - getting the visual overview and offering my attention to the "bit sized nuggets" of information that were easily digestible. When I came to a full page of text - I skipped it.

The visual effects are awesome - which I am sure this will make your advertisers happy. Their adverts popped off the page.