J-BAA Electronic

I have the printed Journal for a few reasons.

1. I’m far more likely to read it. I have a mixture of other publications in either printed or electronic format. I am far more likely to read a printed edition. I tend to forget about a electronic publication. Or I might read a couple of articles, think I will continue another time, but don’t. It’s much easier for me to pickup and put down a printed edition, leaving it by my favourite chair.

2. I find it difficult to take in detail when I read it from a screen; I also absorb more info in printed format.

3. I much prefer the feel of a printed mag or book 

4. Much of my day job is performed on screens. I look for opportunities not to use them when I can

The big advantage of electronic is when I travel. I can read the Journal anywhere on my iPad. But aways have that choice as my non-electronic sub also gives access to the electronic Journal 

I have the electronic subscription for two main reasons:

a) I am a cheapskate and it’s cheaper;

b) I already have far too many chewed trees in each of two houses. Doesn’t stop me collecting more, unfortunately …

I read both JBAA (and similar publications) formats about equally often and likewise in depth.  There is something immensely comfortable about having a physical artefact, especially one which is much safer to read when lying in a hot bath or a sauna. That said, the portability and physical storage space of a digital version has a lot going for it.

Horses for courses.

Currently living in Oz, I value both the print and electronic journals. During covid, the mail has been very slow taking at least a month. So it is great to read on computer, and then have the pleasure of reading all over again once the paper copy arrives. Once I have the paper version, it is a permanent feature by my bedside, permitting me to read, revisit articles, discover bits I missed etc. What better way to relax at the end of the day?

I have electronic subscription only, mainly because I live abroad, and snail-mail here can vary from a few days until never. With  printed books/magazines I am much more likely to browse through them several times, whereas with an electronic copy it’s usually one initial read and that’s it unless there is a specific article that catches my eye.

On the other hand, the one or two magazines I do buy in printed form soon build up, then I’m told they make the place look untidy (!) so end up in the bin after a few months. With the pdf files I automatically save them to an archive and can easily recall them later (even when off-line). So while printed copies feel more comfortable, and preferable, the electronic versions are more practical in that within seconds I can read something mention in a copy a few years ago, long after the paper version would have been binned.

Peter