Hi

I was at the linux journal website and they want $30 for 12 issues which are in pdf format. I was wondering why so steep especially where there is no printing and postage costs involved. The last time I subscribed to linux journal was when it was in printed form back in the day.

I believe $14.95 is more reasonable for a 12 issue pdf subscription. What do you think?

I think that print media is hurting and that causes prices to rise.

I quite happily paid much more for a Linux Voice subscription (and it was worth every penny), and Linux Voice didn't make it.

I subscribe to the print edition of my local paper, not because it's a great paper (it used to be), but because I want to support responsible journalism. All you have to do to realize the cost of irresponsible journalism is to read your local rag.

I had alot of printed subscriptions back in the day before electronic formats took popularity due to the kindle ereaders and tablets. My last subscription of printed magazines ended in the mid 2000's because everything could be found on the internet.

I got the bug to subscribing to magazines again but to electronic formats instead of printed format. I don't want to have piles of magazines collecting dust like I once did.

Your subscription pays for the staff and the website, as well as the PDFs. You don't want a journal written by people who aren't worth a decent salary, do you?

Yes, I am aware of that. But it's still a bit to high at $29.95. If it were like $14.95 for 12 months that would be more reasonable. But hey, I might still subscribe to it like I did with the printed format of linux journal. It was a good magazine and I still visit the site to read the articles.

I realize that everyone has different economic needs, but if you divide $30 by 12 months, it's only $2.50 per month. That doesn't seem steep for a nice zine. That's a dollar cheaper per month than the lowest option at lwn.net, and many people think lwn is worth it.

You can always try other ways, though. Perhaps you know a friend well enough to split the cost. Or you might email Linux Journal and make the case that you're a starving artist who just _has_ to read their zine and maybe they need your help (spreading the word, writing reviews, &c) in exchange for a half-off sub. The worst that can happen is you don't get a sub and have to keep reading the free stuff.