The end of print….
March 27th, 2007 by John Dragoon
Twenty years ago I remember a conversation with a colleague that suggested computer printers would be out of business because everything was going online and nobody would bother to print anything out. Well tell that to the millions of trees that have nobly given their lives since then so we could all carry around the printed word.
Fast forward to today and International Data Group’s press release stating that as part of their “strategic transformation to a web-centric company” they will be delivering their last print version of InfoWorld magazine on April 2, 2007. Instead, they’ll focus on on a web-based version of the issue and InfoWorld branded conferences. In IDG’s words balancing, “the immediacy of online with the intimacy of events.”
The driver of course is advertising – or more importantly the lack there of, particularly in the print world. Can’t say I blame them, Novell has steadily shifted our advertising from print to online – consistent with the way many of you have expressed your desire to consume IT information in real time or face to face in vendor or media sponsored events.
And while I understand the move at a business level, I’ll confess to missing the printed word. It’s hard to catch up on technology trends electronically at 30,000 feet. I suspect that will be solved soon too though. For me, sometimes only “analog” will do. Will other stalwart IDG properties like ComputerWorld and Network World follow a similar course?
What do you think? Where do you get your information? Is the move online and through events consistent with your desires or will this be another “I miss the good old days” decision.
Let me know.
John
