I was just wondering how many of you are debating whether or not to renew your subscription.
It's not that $50 a year is a lot of money per se, it's just that I am not sure I am still getting my money's worth when compared to the free, ad supported version of this site.
Plus lately I am finding the journal to be under performing, especially the handling of the recent spy affair when compared to Michelin-gate, etc.
What about you?
Are you going to renew your subscription to Autosport.com?
Started by
riffola
, Dec 31 2007 16:55
17 replies to this topic
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#2
Mat
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Posted 31 December 2007 - 18:36
Originally posted by riffola
Are you going to renew your subscription to Autosport.com?
Yep!
#3
Risil
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Posted 31 December 2007 - 18:50
I already have! Although I didn't read any of the journal's Spygate material, the rest was fine, if a little light at times. But then there's sod all to talk about in F1 these days, look at the RC forum. Hopefully some new drivers will appear who aren't completely closed off from the British media...
Some more in-depth coverage of other forms of racing wouldn't go amiss, either.
Some more in-depth coverage of other forms of racing wouldn't go amiss, either.
#4
JForce
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Posted 01 January 2008 - 03:57
Originally posted by riffola
I was just wondering how many of you are debating whether or not to renew your subscription.
It's not that $50 a year is a lot of money per se, it's just that I am not sure I am still getting my money's worth when compared to the free, ad supported version of this site.
Plus lately I am finding the journal to be under performing, especially the handling of the recent spy affair when compared to Michelin-gate, etc.
What about you?
I am in exactly the same position. I just don't know if the "extras" are worth it at the moment.
#5
fifi
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Posted 01 January 2008 - 12:06
at the moment $50 = £25 so that works out about £2 per month, cant even buy 1 edition of say f1 racing for that
so as long as the exchange rate to ££ is still strong then i'll be renewing
so as long as the exchange rate to ££ is still strong then i'll be renewing
#6
rhm
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Posted 01 January 2008 - 23:29
I let my sub lapse when it was up for renewal towards the end of the season. Mostly because I'm fed up with F1 and all the BS last season, but also because of the screw-up over the WMSC judgement. I wasn't really bothered with decision to let people have news and photos without subscribing - personally I think it's pathetic to complain that other people are getting stuff for free when nothing is being taken away from you - but it did make it a much easier decision to not renew my sub. Although I miss the high-res photos, I'm not that impressed with the galleries any more which have far too many 'atmosphere' pictures and not enough of the cars for me.
#7
Mark A
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Posted 03 January 2008 - 12:31
Interesting comment on the gallery.
That was a primary reason why I pay the subscription as some of the pics are amazing. However as has been said there can be a bit too much on the 'atmosphere' and I'd also like to see a few more small galleries of some of the article items, for example why not get a few Hi-res LAT pics of Jim Clark to go with Michael Olivers brilliant piece. There are a few nice pics in the piece, why not put them in a gallery?
That was a primary reason why I pay the subscription as some of the pics are amazing. However as has been said there can be a bit too much on the 'atmosphere' and I'd also like to see a few more small galleries of some of the article items, for example why not get a few Hi-res LAT pics of Jim Clark to go with Michael Olivers brilliant piece. There are a few nice pics in the piece, why not put them in a gallery?
#8
siggers
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Posted 07 January 2008 - 10:56
I really value the possibility to read news and the journal without having to 'pay' by putting up with advertisements. As long as the subscription prize remains relatively modest I am more than prepared to continue to subscribe - IF the content is at the level of reliable and detailed reporting we have been used to. I am very interested to see what the direction of the website is going to be over the next months.
#9
vtpachyderm
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Posted 08 January 2008 - 10:06
I will be renewing, as the price is really cheap for me here in Norway, where print magazines in english are pretty darn expensive (1 issue of CAR costs the equivalent of $15 USD), and the journal is a very entertaining weekly read.
Interestingly, I also have had similar thoughts on the gallery with regard to picture content as stated previously. I'm particularly disappointed in the quality and content of the 2008 launch photos.
Interestingly, I also have had similar thoughts on the gallery with regard to picture content as stated previously. I'm particularly disappointed in the quality and content of the 2008 launch photos.
#10
Ross Stonefeld
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Posted 08 January 2008 - 10:24
If it's any consolation, so am I.
#11
Mat
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Posted 08 January 2008 - 10:37
Originally posted by vtpachyderm
Interestingly, I also have had similar thoughts on the gallery with regard to picture content as stated previously. I'm particularly disappointed in the quality and content of the 2008 launch photos.
To be fair, its not Autosport's fault when Ferrari is closed to photographers and McLaren don't let you very close. Most of the photos were issued by the teams themselves.
#12
Ross Stonefeld
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Posted 08 January 2008 - 10:42
LAT are McLaren's official snappers and we only got 79 shots from the launch, some of which I will upload shortly because there's some extra closeups. But otherwise it's been a season of non-launches.
#13
Hellenic tifosi
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Posted 08 January 2008 - 21:13
Originally posted by riffola
I was just wondering how many of you are debating whether or not to renew your subscription.
Absolutely.
#14
vtpachyderm
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Posted 10 January 2008 - 12:33
Originally posted by Mat
To be fair, its not Autosport's fault when Ferrari is closed to photographers and McLaren don't let you very close. Most of the photos were issued by the teams themselves.
I understand that fully well, but the comment still applies to the quality of the pics, regardless of how they get it. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more WRC photos at the expense of poor F1 photos.
I really can't complain though, since I honestly believe we get more than our money's worth with regards to site content as its a one stop site for pretty much all things related Motorsports. I'll be renewing as long as they're going to be around. Thanks for the great site.
#15
Ross Stonefeld
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Posted 10 January 2008 - 12:38
The WRC v F1 tradeoff isn't at our end though. There isn't a maximum quota of images that can go in per day/week/month/etc. There is a fairly consistent % of photos selected due to overlap. It's actually slightly higher on the less popular series but that's unfortunately due to less photos. So you don't reduce the F1 images to get more rally images, unless you're the photographer.
For instance randomly selecting Rally Portugal, our primary supplier is LAT who had 50 images available. 37 ended up in the Autosport gallery, but that was a mix of LAT, Reuters, and free images from the team. An F1 race is going to be a lot more than 50 available.
For instance randomly selecting Rally Portugal, our primary supplier is LAT who had 50 images available. 37 ended up in the Autosport gallery, but that was a mix of LAT, Reuters, and free images from the team. An F1 race is going to be a lot more than 50 available.
#16
vtpachyderm
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Posted 10 January 2008 - 14:40
Thanks for the explanation. Guess I should be whining to the supplier of the photos ;) . I'll shut up now.
#17
Mat
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Posted 11 January 2008 - 00:48
Ross, what are the chances of having 3x photos available this year of american racing series? NASCAR especially..
#18
hedges
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Posted 13 January 2008 - 22:18
I let my sub lapse about a year ago. I miss it from time to time when I see an article title that really gets my interest but that's about it. It's a personal choice and I think the sub well worth the money content and quantity wise against most if not all F1 publications, I just wasn't finding it interesting reading the same old opinions over and over in colour pieces. That's what RC is for lol.
