Goodbye paper
At some point, relatively soon actually, most anything printed on paper will be an expensive rarity.
We are of course already in the transition, but one limiting factor has been a hardware device that people would prefer to read on, prefer over paper. As something someone would fall asleep with, I still think the iPad is too large, as compared to even a large paperback. But with the traditionally larger format of newspapers and magazines it may prove a better fit. And the screen, well the screen will have to be moderately easy on the eyes or the iPad will fail in that regard. In other words it must be read, and as a preference.
'The Seattle PI' recently abandoned their print edition, with only the electronic edition surviving. This was a necessary fiscal decision on their part. They are not alone. The cost of printing is a substantial portion of any magazine's or newspaper's overhead. The advent of the internet has played havoc with the traditional advertising model of all publishers. They are desperately seeking solutions. The rationale to abandon print entirely is compelling, if they felt they wouldn't lose their already shrinking audience. As more publishers migrate in this direction, at a point the others will have no choice but to follow, being uncompetitive if they do not. Besides which the printed word is only tradition, and we already understand the far greater flexibility for any reader that comes with a screen.
It just has to be one they would want to read from. If perhaps not exactly it, the iPad nevertheless indicates the direction.
