Years ago, I was a subscriber to PC Magazine. For those in the tech business, it was a must-have publication.
But of course, with the emergence of the Internet – and the explosion of free resources – I eventually cancelled my subscription. And so did many others.
So, finally PC Magazine is going completely digital (this is according to a decision from the parent corporation, Ziff Davis Media). The last edition will be January 2009.
In a way, PC Magazine is a part of tech history. After all, the magazine got its start back in 1982, when IBM launched its PCs and Bill Gates was in the early stages of building the Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) empire. All in all, the magazine had a great ride.
The good news is that PC Magazine has also done a fine job of transitioning to the Web. For example, the online network includes other valuable properties like Gearlog. In fact, about 80% of the profits come from the websites.
PcMagazine posts
FeedPC Magazine, RIP
Ziff Davis: The very model of the modern magazine business
As the nation's paper publications scramble to find new profit centers in the rapidly-changing advertising market, they could do worse than look to Ziff Davis Holdings (OTC:ZFDH) as an example.Ziff Davis built its company on print magazines covering the electronic revolution, including its flagship PC Magazine. During the heydays of the late 1990's, when magazines routinely broke 300 pages thanks to the advertising glut, such magazines were goldmines.
After the dot.com bust, though, and with the transition of many advertisers to the internet, such halcyon days are gone. Rather than attempt to play out its string, Ziff Davis has decided to embrace the new media.
A major step in this transition was the selling off to Insight Venture Partners of its Enterprise Group, including the magazines Baseline, CIO and eWeek. What remains is a business much more focused on electronic media, positioning itself as the go-to source for technology information.
The remaining Ziff Davis Holdings Co. is a leaner, more focused company that has managed to increase its EBITDA even though its revenues have dropped. It still has work to do, staunching the bleeding from its gaming-oriented magazines and the decline in print advertising in PC Magazine. However, it seems to be on the right track, and could be worth a look-see for those who like tech stocks.
Apple after the bell 08/23/06: Snagging another reader satisfaction survey
Apple ended the day at $67.31, down $0.31. Today was another mixed day for Apple as various press outlets are still focused on the stockholder lawsuit against Apple for the backdated stock options scandal. The good news was another customer satisfaction survey came out with Apple at the lead. PC Magazine's 19th Annual Reader Satisfaction Survey found Apple to have the most reliable PCs and best support for when things go run. And despite the highly reported Apple flaws this year with their MacBooks, PC Magazine's readers only reported a 5% repair rate which was quoted as being 'astonishing.'
The other bit of good news is that Apple is having trouble meeting the tremendous MacBook demand that is out there, as reported by the Apple Insider. Keeping in mind that this is an Apple rumor site, the article does provide some insight into the high demand for the MacBooks. And my favorite headline so far today comes from the IT Wire: SanDisk has an 8GB player so what? Every month a new 'iPod Killer' comes and goes, SanDisk is just the latest of a long line of unrealized anti-iPod champions. Don't get worked up about the next one.
The other bit of good news is that Apple is having trouble meeting the tremendous MacBook demand that is out there, as reported by the Apple Insider. Keeping in mind that this is an Apple rumor site, the article does provide some insight into the high demand for the MacBooks. And my favorite headline so far today comes from the IT Wire: SanDisk has an 8GB player so what? Every month a new 'iPod Killer' comes and goes, SanDisk is just the latest of a long line of unrealized anti-iPod champions. Don't get worked up about the next one.
Will Rich Ross really have a positive impact on Disney's movie operations?
Consumers sick of recession, may spend extra on holidays
Corrections, seasonality and Santa Claus
