Yep it is called the internet. Its cheaper and more up to date than cds as well!

Can't read it in the bath so, uh uh.

My magazine reads are reserved for my weekly 1 hour to myself... Lying in a bath full of relaxing potions, no kids, no husband, no work... just me, myself and the stories of tons of other women just like me which comforts me somehow! Nevermind, the mag is full of huge wet spots when I eventually leave my haven but as you know, water dries eventually and my book is good as new until next time!

There is nothing exciting as being able to page through something that you have in your hands. Digital mags are not easy to read, but yes they are good enough for those who believe in this niche market.

Ever tried reading an e-book? After the first couple of pages your eyes begin to burn and water. Reading large volumes of text just doesn't work on a computer monitor.

There have been numerous attempts at magazine publishing in this format in SA, especially in the young adults market. The two I can recall to mind immediately failed within about 3 months of launch as it appears that SA consumers are just not ready for the format yet. They are also used to recieving the same sort of content format for free, via the net, from sites such as www.mrspencer.co.za , jhblive, rage.co.za , comedownmondays , etc, etc, etc.

God, how long did it take for you to wake up? This has been done for years in the US and Europe. It has even been done in South Africa many many years ago. I'm always amazed by just how uninformed some people are. And no, it is not the future of magazines, the future is the internet. Say good bye to magazines and newspapers. Do some research on ad spend in the States and you will see where the trend is going to. Say goodbye to those tree killing bastards!

I agree that this is old news, but the 'net is definitely not the "future of magazines" or newspapers for that matter. Yes the benefits of pull technology and interactivity are there with the internet, but people will always want to read their mags or papers in a relaxed mood and environment so they'll always be around.

Actually, ad spend went to Online and is slowly filtering back to print. But the real money is not in adverts anymore. It's in sponsorhips, events and value ads.

Whilst CD-based mags may not be ye olde 'doubles-as-a-fly-swatter' and indeed may not be the most practical for reading in the bath/toilet, there is certainly space for products of this kind once you consider that the market which such mags are targeted at (youth, LSM 7 -10)are highly computer-oriented and spend a lot more time in front of a monitor for reasons of pleasure rather than work. It's a niche market capture method and will certainly be a force to be dealt with as time passes and the market expands, which it's doing on a daily basis as more of the youth market accesses affluence and by proxy, computers. I think the concept has legs and will be around for a long time.

Just, wondering.

I have encountered such media as you're describing. I think it's very interesting but I have a background of digital animation and web development, so while I browsed through the content, I was really interested by the functionality, simplicity and effectivness of the issue. Great things are happening out there, enjoy the development.

Great idea - but when most of the country is still learning to read -and computers are still luxury items - in 20 years where will you be making your money? print - or digital?

And the reality is that glossy magazines are here to stay. They are portable, easy to read and have a good shelf life if the content is appropriate. Why would a magazine be put on cd instead of the internet? distribution on the net is far easier, advertising revenues would be higher and content can be changed at anytime.
The e-zines that I ran in the UK all failed because people as u said, people want to read in the loo or on the bus or train or whatever. Computers are for work - not reading!