Business 2.0 has placed the complete content of its October issue online, for free access.
The magazine says this open access is an experiment as they try out a new technology. So, don’t assume the magazine will be freely online after October.
I assume their tech experiment is to do with a new online delivery method (but should one ever assume?). I like this web-based method where you just use your browser to read on your screen: far better and simpler than the concept used by Zinio, say, which requires a proprietary reader program and gives you in effect a facsimile (original meaning of this word) of the print publication, complete with animated page-turning, etc.
I subscribe to PC World print edition and, last year, also tried out the Zinio-based version. I just didn’t like it. But if it had been available in something like Business 2.0’s format with access by a web browser, I would have had a different view (and probably continued my paid subscription to an e-edition).
Whatever Business 2.0’s experiment is, I’m enjoying reading (and crash-testing) the October edition. Thanks, Business 2.0!
(Via Om Malik.)
PR Week has made the same leap, though with a much clunkier platform. Nice to see these publications opening up.
http://www.micropersuasion.com/2004/10/prweek_issues_a.html