Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/68594
This 'N That THE NEXT 30 YEARS OF SPORTING CLASSICS Thirty-one years ago, when we were planning the very first issues of Sporting Classics, we thought we could see the future. Hunting and fishing would become increasingly expensive, just as it had in Europe. We would position the magazine to take advantage of that, aiming our stories and columns at an affluent, well-educated audience of active sportsmen (and to the advertisers wanting to reach them). Uniquely, Sporting Classics would be about The Heritage, The Romance, The Art of Hunting & Fishing. What we could not foresee in 1981 was the impact of the coming digital revolution. However, as that revolution slowly arrived, we did take advantage of it, adopting Apple computers in 1987 as well as employing scanners and image-setting systems that enabled us to become profitable and successful. Rapidly advancing over the horizon now is the next phase of this digital revolution. And that's what I want to tell you about. Publishing has always been about content, rather than the method of delivery. Great content has great value. So when friends ask me, guardedly, how the web is going to affect Sporting Classics, I tell them it's going to make us stronger, better, even more successful. They usually seem surprised. Until I tell them how. Imagine, I tell them, the impact of listening to authors like Mike Gaddis read their own stories, using their own voice inflections, their own emphasis, from a tablet or smart phone as you drive or fly to your next hunting destination. By The Editors Imagine seeing imbedded videos that illustrate exciting parts of articles – or advertisements – in digital versions of Sporting Classics. As one navigates a digital magazine's pages, imagine the value of interactively requesting information and having it delivered almost instantaneously. Imagine getting notifications about last- minute deals on adventures, or the availability for sale of a treasured collectible that you've always wanted. "Exciting" hardly describes this kind of publishing. For us, some of these things are still just around the corner. But an early version of Sporting Classics Digital is available right now. And just like the printed version of Sporting Classics, given a little more time the digital version will evolve to become even better. If you are already a subscriber to Sporting Classics, the digital version is free. Call or e-mail us to get your password: 1-800-849-1004. If you are not a current subscriber to Sporting Classics, you can get the e-magazine for $9.95 at sportingclassics.com. Will the printed version of Sporting Classics go away? No. In fact, we intend to make the printed version better yet. You received seven issues last year. Next year, you'll get eight, as special "Guns & Hunting" and "Spring Fishing" issues are added to the usual six. One day, friends will walk into your home and compliment you on your collection of printed Sporting Classics magazines. They will become status symbols, like your classic guns or hand-carved decoys. In the foreseeable future you'll still be able to smell the ink and feel the texture of the paper. SPOR TIN G CL ASSICS 15