The Great Divide

Print vs. Web

Print and Web

Web and Print

When I began this term in the Book and Magazine Program, I was completey of the mindset that any web component of a magazine was merely a nice little gimmick–more or less unnecessary in the larger scheme of things.

However, as I spent more time in the computer lab, listening to talk and examining samples of various tools on the net, I began to see my assumptions were based in ignorance. The web based portion of the magazines were a great way to view the magazine as a whole–both print and web–with articles, blogs, links and more that spoke volumes about the philosophy of the publication, perhaps even more than the print, because of how it talks directly to the reader and involves them as a user. The publication online may give their readers the benefit of the doubt, assuming they are already web-savy, and not include explanations of social bookmarking, RSS Feeds, or make their navigation more complicated than a standard organization. Or, they may take the reader by the hand and lead them through the website, with plenty of quick links, multiple search points, key words and clearly marked, separate sections (like the Toronto Life website)

But nothing made the importance of the web component more clear, than when my magazine editing group had to research a specfic magazine. We chose Faze magazine, because it was one the class would be less familiar with–a unique blend teen pop-culture with an emphasis on the real issues they face everyday. Refreshing right down to the hip editor Lorraine YipHoi (now Zander). Their website looked okay in the beginning, but after trying to email several of the contacts stated on the site with no response and calling the office number listed to discover it was no longer in existence–confusion and panic set in. Why would a magazine not update its website when it was so clearly a source for people to learn about the magazine and be drawn into it? And what were we going to do for our presentation when we needed primary sources???

Not only were the contacts incorrect, but the press information, media coverage, and invitations to the readers for their input were all outdated. We ended up having to go to other websites for indirect references, and contacts through other people. But our efforts were necessary to pass the assignment. What would keep a reader/potential advertiser/interested future employee searching other sites for information that should have been directly on their own site?

Eventually, I was able to make contact with the president of the company (who was Charm himself), and he told me that they were launching a whole new website within the next month, so the situation will soon be resolved. But how many people will be lost from their readership in the mean time? It was sad to think about–because the magazine has such amazing potential.

However, the situation did make me realize, even on a basic level, how important the web is to the magazine as a whole: for bringing readers in, and for keeping them. People, ESPECIALLY teens, want instant information–nothing much past the initial google search–that will show them what they are looking for.

Hopefully this new website that is going to revealed soon will be the Web 2.0 kind of place where a teen and pre-teen can feel at home….even if it has to incorporate Facebook.