Dear Howard & Tony,
You both raise very pertinent points - and my apologies to others who have replied with similar but I have only had time to read the latter two's Posts.
It is indeed impossible to please everybody all of the time... there are those with interest in fast power boat matters, those with sailing interests, obviously all those with deep interest in merchant marine, navy, tugs, and those with deep interest in all things technical. I would not like to have to run any such magazine covering this subject, since it is a very fine balancing act, and needs a great deal of careful management. I would also not like to have to make a living out of such pbls., as even without the present financial situation, the costs of printing and distributing must be a constant concern.
What I call 'the New Industrial Revolution'... viz., the I.Net - and all it entails - and the increasing paperless society and gnrl. business processes, make for a general situation (whether we like it or not), that is not probable, not possible... but inevitable. The trouble is, if general pbls. become increasingly paperless, it inevitably affects jobs in all sorts of directions... thus why I call why I call what is increasingly going on 'The New Industrial Revolution'. But... if one can eliminate printing and distribution costs, such pbls. we are talking about would be far more viable since all it would require is a subscription cost to view on-line... a very difficult scenario. A very difficult decision, and one I would not like to have to take - I do like to buy gnrl. magazines from time to time, but do 'wince' at things of £3 or so +, and this does certainly restrict my buying, but what are publishers to do??? - printers have costs, distributors have costs, postage costs (if they are sent out), and the retailer must make a profit otherwise what point him/her stocking same. All in all not easy, and just yet another symptom of the World we live in today sorry to say.
Regards, Bernard