Computers & Technology: November 2008 Archives

Dear New Yorker Magazine:

As a long-time subscriber with many worn-looking copies of your magazine strewn liberally around my house, I am thrilled that you are launching a digital edition. I have long wished for a version of your magazine I could carry with me on some convenient little handheld device.

I'm still wishing.

1. What's with the two page sizes? One is unreadable, and the other is WAY too big, even for my generously proportioned computer screen.
2. How am I supposed to read those multiple columns on my computer screen? Do I have to scroll up and down like that?
3. WHY CAN'T I CUT AND PASTE? What about fair use?
   
4. Why do you log me out so quickly?
5. Did anybody actually try USING THIS THING FIRST?
6. Works on the iPhone, did you say? Oh how we all laughed!
   
7. Why do I have to zoom out to turn pages?
   
8. An online magazine Should.Not.Require.So.Many.Instructions.

OK, it's really simple. I want a version formatted to be read on my Sony Reader and my iPhone. I want it to be in single-column format. I don't need the cute little page-turning animation. I don't mind ads (you guys have to pay for this somehow), but I'd like them to be tailored for the device on which I'm reading. I want it to be SIMPLE TO USE. I don't need an exact reproduction of the print magazine online; in fact, that's far worse than the print magazine itself.

Back to the drawing board, people.