To the editor:

Re: "Has The Time Come"

Your editorial in the Winter 2007 issue of Bridge Canada discussed whether the CBF should reconsider its methods for magazine delivery. The article gave a number of persuasive reasons for using the CBF web site as the primary mechanism for conveying information to its members. Despite the fact that I prefer to read hard copy, I can understand and support the need to reduce the CBF's expenses by distributing Bridge Canada solely in electronic format.

The CBF is facing declining membership and is struggling to maintain its revenues because many Canadian bridge players do not pay annual dues. My view is that the CBF Board will remain powerless to reverse the trend as long as it is the ACBL that controls the masterpoint awards system. Winning masterpoints is a prime motivator for many bridge players and probably explains why the ACBL is far more successful than the CBF in collecting membership fees. As a tangible benefit of CBF membership, Bridge Canada stands out as a publication of superior quality, yet many Canadian bridge players are unwilling to pay the modest CBF fees to receive a copy.

Our bridge unit has compromised when it comes to distributing the local newsletter. Those who feel comfortable with electronic media receive an email notice that the next edition has been posted on the Unit 390 web site. There are approximately 1,100 members in Unit 390 and fewer than 160 opt to receive a hard copy. I suspect that very few CBF members would discontinue paying dues specifically because Bridge Canada was no longer mailed to them.

Advancing age doesn't necessarily mean one is incapable of adapting. Two years ago Judy and I bought a laptop for my 75 year old mother-in-law who had never even turned on a computer much less used one. Today she pays her bills on line, sends email to her family and quickly accesses information to challenge me when she thinks I am wrong. Bridge players are, likewise, an adaptable group, able to cope with change more easily than the average person.

The CBF Board needs to reassess the situation and consider the options including a transition period to move from hard copy to digital. My hope is that future Bridge Canada issues will be available on the CBF web site as pdf documents. That will allow me to save them on my computer and print them at my leisure. I support change, but am well aware that I will continue to indulge my antediluvian preference for hard copy.

Regards,

Nicholas Gartaganis

Hi, Jude!

Bridge Today magazine has been electronic for several months or more. I subscribed, got a password, and I go to the website to download my magazine each month.

People who don't have access to a computer—are there still some?—can ask a friend to help out. You might make a list of them and mail the danged thing to that small number, while encouraging them to ask a friend for help.

Surely all bridge players have access to a computer!

You are doing a splendid job!

Best of everything, John Armstrong

Editors Note: The International Bridge Press Association's popular monthly newsletter is also offered online as a downloadable PDF.

Hi

I received the December issue of Bridge Canada yesterday and had just settled down to enjoy it when I noticed your "has the time come?" page.

I am a retired professional electronic engineer and have some experience in using the web.

Let me caution you in this way.

People do not READ things on the web.

They will browse looking for specific information or just to get a general feel for something. They might download something to read later but I don't know anyone who would read though page after page of a magazine on the web.

I, for one, like to sit back with my feet up and a cup of tea and read Bridge Canada from cover to cover (not all at one sitting). I work through the hands and see what I can learn from the experiences of others. I might make marginal notes of how I might have handled particular situations so I can discuss them with my wife. You can't work that way if you are on-line. There is no way of adding reader's notes to a web page and I'm not likely to print off a 24 page booklet since I probably wouldn't read it more than once.

Anyway, we might all interface with the web in a different way but I feel that you would lose your reader audience if you rely wholly on the web. You could however augment it by sending announcementsand reminders out by email. People will read short emails.

Thanks for all your efforts to enlighten and entertain us.

Sincerely, Glen Jones, Ottawa

Hi Jude

Let's start on a positive: I love your cartoons.

But, although I understand the need for economies, I believe that making the magazine a website only publication will mean its demise. The people who do not have internet access are highly unlikely to go to a library or internet cafe to view it. They already have a fear of computers anyway and I am sure you could create a cartoon or three displaying this graphically. As most of these people are not spring chickens they are not going to voluntarily admit their ignorance and printing at libraries on the Toronto Public Library System I do not believe is an option and actually even at some cafes is not an option.

However, I realize this is a done deal so might I suggest that at least you mail a letter to the membership each time a new edition appears on the website. As I have little doubt that most members, who are computer savvy, are like me and won't think of going to the website unless prompted. There will be some expense involved but it will be minor compared to printing and mailing the magazine as it currently exists and will indicate that you still care.

Bestest, Paul Prechner, Toronto, Ontario.