Re: MCM - Digest V1 #392

[Neil Frank <nfrank@mindspring.com>]

At 03:12 AM 11/02/2000 -0800, you wrote:
>
>Putting on my tech geek hat (and taking off the "chair" hat)...
>
>Neil has reservations about combining a TAG Archive with the Showcase CD.  
>He also raises concerns about cutting into paper sales.

>
>Diana also sent some comments (bounced) of similar nature, noting that
>back issue sales still bring in $70-400 per month, worries that a CD will
>cut into these sales, 

>So based on these concerns, I withdraw the suggestion of a sellable CD-ROM
>archive at this time. 

Erik,
You have put a lot of effort into this project and I would hate to see us
kill the idea so fast. I DO agree with you that we are not a business...
and I would like to see us do SOME things without making money (that is a
topic for another conversation).
I expressed concerns... but I did not think they were fatal.... I am
definitely open to the idea that we should provide the CD. I think if it is
sold at $20, it might kill back issues. and cause hundreds (thousands?) of
dollars of back issues POTENTIALLY go to waste...however, at $30-40 per CD,
I believe this is  much less likely. I was hoping to hear about ACA's
experiences with their archived BB's. Anyone know?  I also agree with your
comment that the CD is harder to read than the paper copy and not everyone
will prefer this format, so the back issues may not even be an issue... I
had not considered that point (thanks for the tech geek input).