05-12-2020, 10:53 PM
I still like a magazine to read, primarily because the articles are often more considered and in-depth than anything I read on line. The A7CA mag along with the couple of regional club mags I read carry well researched contributions, often historical in content. Would an online version attract the same contributors? or the same quality of writing? Perhaps they would if the paper versions were to disappear, but I'm not entirely convinced.
There are undoubtedly advantages of having so many regional clubs but I have always thought it a shame that the huge editorial efforts of the many clubs couldn't be combined to produce one quality magazine. Could perhaps the information which is of regional interest only (club nights, local rallies etc) be put on line but the wider interest articles about cars, technical issues, specialist services be pulled together into one publication, with all the economies of scale that brings. A quick glance at publications for larger clubs (I get to thumb through a Triumph club mag whilst my daughter is having her piano lessons) shows us what we are missing.
The size and scope of the Austin 7 world is very apparent if you take a quick look at the various Facebook pages and it seems to me there are both opportunities and pitfalls in pursuing an online-only future. Whatever the pros and cons of it, we are living through a time of change.
There are undoubtedly advantages of having so many regional clubs but I have always thought it a shame that the huge editorial efforts of the many clubs couldn't be combined to produce one quality magazine. Could perhaps the information which is of regional interest only (club nights, local rallies etc) be put on line but the wider interest articles about cars, technical issues, specialist services be pulled together into one publication, with all the economies of scale that brings. A quick glance at publications for larger clubs (I get to thumb through a Triumph club mag whilst my daughter is having her piano lessons) shows us what we are missing.
The size and scope of the Austin 7 world is very apparent if you take a quick look at the various Facebook pages and it seems to me there are both opportunities and pitfalls in pursuing an online-only future. Whatever the pros and cons of it, we are living through a time of change.