The Blue

[jtaylor]

Personally I like the idea of the CD, and potentially it could be downloadable too??

But, if I had a choice, I'd still buy the magazine - it's worth the money to me, and I tend to take it to my brother and other family to have a look at too.
I've been extremely impressed with the quality of both the Old Blue and the Blue - a major positive step-change from the old format.

We have to remember that whilst a large population of Old Blues of all ages are now IT literate and comfortable with the web and viewing online magazines, there are still an equally large population who aren't wired-in and would definitely still want a hard-copy...

J

[J.R.]

I'd go for the CD idea !

[kerrensimmonds]

I agree with Julian. There are still some who will and some who won't...
so materials for the time being need to be available equally both electronically and in hard copy. There remain some older members of the CH Club for whom the internet and e mail are still a mystery.

[onewestguncopse]

The CD idea could co-exist alongside the paper version. The key problem is the fact that at the moment 90% of the Old Blue community do not get the Blue and therefore are going to become detached from the day to day events at the school. How do we address this problem unless the Old Blue and Blue merge again for an annual edition (my favoured option but not likely to happen), the Foundation pay up for everyone to get the Blue (some schools do this as a marketing ploy) or we use the CD option. A tricky problem but one that needs to be addressed.

[jtaylor]

The CD idea could co-exist alongside the paper version. The key problem is the fact that at the moment 90% of the Old Blue community do not get the Blue and therefore are going to become detached from the day to day events at the school. How do we address this problem unless the Old Blue and Blue merge again for an annual edition (my favoured option but not likely to happen), the Foundation pay up for everyone to get the Blue (some schools do this as a marketing ploy) or we use the CD option. A tricky problem but one that needs to be addressed.

This is a question/suggestion which is bigger than just this forum, but I'm sure merits more opinions and suggestions....

Ultimately this sort of question would require a justification for the approval from the school/foundation etc. etc.

[jhopgood]

I hope those who read the Blue will enjoy it. We do have adverts but all the advertisers work with the Foundation and together they contribute several thousand pounds towards the cost of publication. We would never use a company that was involved in something inappropriate such as junk food. We have deliberately tried to take the whole thing upmarket and this goes for the Old Blue too. We have largely succeeded in this and I am happy with the result. Having read the mags of a large number of schools the CH mags are superior to the vast majority.

One major problem remains the ability for all Old Blues to see one. We have chosen not to give one to all Old Blues (that would cost about £20,000). What we could do is offer a copy of a Double CD to all Old Blues (c.70p per copy). This would be a CD of Music and another CD version of the magazine that you could look at on a PC/Mac. We would only print a few copies for archives and on demand.

What do you think? Is this a step too far. I really want the OB community to have access to all three mags and at the moment we are not willing to do this as a full copy.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Julian is correct in that this discussion probably merits a different forum and focus, but since we are on the subject a few facts might help.
1. It was the school's decision to produce an annual Blue instead of one each term. The CH Club was presented with a fait accompli.
2. A survey of CH Club members established that they wanted a minimum of 2 issues a year and if possible 3.
3. The same survey also indicated that the content should be Old Blue focused. Individuals had interest in different school reports, chapel, music, art etc, but there was not enough to merit wholesale inclusion of any section.
4. Despite the fact that the Blue is well priced and well advertised throughout the Old Blue community, a lot less than 15% of Old Blues actually purchase the magazine. I am unclear whether cost is a factor in selling the Blue.
5. From very early days, (1920's), the CH Club has funded the Blue. Those funds are now covenanted to produce the Old Blue, and I am unclear whether this can be extended to cover the Blue.
6. A solution would be for the Old Blue to include a School highlights section, much as the Blue contains an Old Blue section. To take the load off the school, this could appear only in the end of year edition, and would be highlights from the Blue.
7. None of the preceding would mean that we could not move to having a copy of the Blue on the association site as a pdf, in the same way as we put up the Old Blue. The music could go up as well and people could download what they want. Along with Ian, I believe that there will be a steady drift away from paper magazines, which will gradually (decades rather than years) price themselves out of the market.
8. Finally, and I put this down to my schooling, I believe that the main problem is one of cost and ensuring that the limited funds of CH are best employed.

[Richard Ruck]

Despite the fact that the Blue is well priced and well advertised throughout the Old Blue community, a lot less than 15% of Old Blues actually purchase the magazine.

Perhaps this might change as communications steadily improve.

For example, the proposed on-line purchasing facility for merchandise etc. (in whatever form it takes) could certainly be used to make both magazines easily available.

Equally, as the circulation of the CHA e-mail newsletter grows, this might also encourage more people to subscribe.

[Great Plum]

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to have somnething physical to read - I am not much good at reading long documents from a PC screen...

[jtaylor]

I view the website/email news etc. all as IN ADDITION to the previously established forms of communication, for the time being.

Old Blues who are not IT savvy will inevitably get things later than those with internet/email access - BUT, the level of service will be no worse than it was before the IT age.... i.e. they'll still get the same newsletters, mailings, the Old Blue etc. as they did before.
Those who are online will obviously be getting things earlier, as we can get information out immediately and cheaply - we shouldn't hold-back from giving a higher level of service where we can if it's cheap or free, whilst not reducing the level of service being given to those without the IT capabilities.

I haven't explained that very well - but I hope you get what I mean!

J

[jhopgood]

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to have something physical to read - I am not much good at reading long documents from a PC screen...

I did say decades rather than years, but I still believe it will come, despite the advent of the paperless society being virtually still born.
I agree that reading material for the small meditation room is better in a paper format than electronic, but also believe that you should only use what you want, rather than everything available.
At the end of the day, it will regrettably come down to cost.

[J.R.]

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to have somnething physical to read - I am not much good at reading long documents from a PC screen...

I don't think I dare comment on that statement, dear Plummo !

[Great Plum]

Wash that mind out JR!


Maybe in the future, there will be decent hand held devices which you can read 'magazines' etc on

[J.R.]

Wash that mind out JR!

Maybe in the future, there will be decent hand held devices which you can read 'magazines' etc on

Well, there's no local footy being played today, so I must find something to keep myself occupied !

Were there any problem getting your Piccolo through customs ?

[Vonny]

Maybe in the future, there will be decent hand held devices

[Great Plum]

Maybe in the future, there will be decent hand held devices

Oh dear...