The last that I heard, Jim’s Atlantic article was unavailable on the net. For those who haven’t read it, it is available on Eclipse’s websight at http://www.eclipseaviation.com/inthenews/detail_01.htm?content_id=139
The last that I heard, Jim’s Atlantic article was unavailable on the net. For those who haven’t read it, it is available on Eclipse’s websight at http://www.eclipseaviation.com/inthenews/detail_01.htm?content_id=139
Thanks for this note. Unfortunately, I have had to ask Eclipse to take the article DOWN from its site. (I will be happy to email versions of it to interested parties.) Here is the reason why, which I hope you can understand.
For the last three years, American magazines have collectively been involved in an experiment with the Internet. The Atlantic actually led the way, almost five years ago, in putting up ALL its content for FREE, without time limit, on its web site.
In theory, everyone recognized this as a risky experiment. How could you give away the same material you were trying to sell (albeit in more attractive form, on paper)? In the last year, it has become clear that the experiement is NOT tenable. The larger the share of the public that gets its info via the Net, the more that free distribution has cut into the fundamental income sources of magazines. One by one different publications have had to find ways to move back from the “offer everything for free and also try to sell it” philosophy.
The WSJ, of course, charges a subscription for any access to its site. The New Yorker puts up only a few articles from each issue (and has very limited access to archives). Most newspapers offer free access to that day’s pieces but then charge for articles from the archives. And the Atlantic has decided, starting with this issue, not to offer its cover story for free (while offering most of the rest of the issue). Eventually I expect that some painless micro-payment scheme will emerge – you are billed fifty cents or so each time you download an article you’re interested in.
A specific part of the reasoning here is that a significant share of single-copy newstand sales are driven by people hearing “hey, there’s an interesting story in XX magazine, go check it out.” (To be specific: if this story is what you’re looking for, and you can get it from the Net, are you likely to pay $3.95 for the whole issue on the newsstand? Even though that issue has a ton of wonderful stories and art? The issue cost us just as much to produce, whether it’s distributed for free on the Net or for pay on the newsstand.) If all of those marginal sales are converted to free offerings on the Internet, it makes a big difference in our business.
All of you are in business doing something. The Atlantic is in business paying writers (like me) a salary to produce stories, but it can then recoup costs only by selling the magazines.
So, the Atlantic doesn’t offer this story for free, and Eclipse (acting in all innocence) doesn’t have the right to do so either. As a loyal part of the Cirrus family, I will find a way to get the gist of this to interested Cirrus people. But this is why it’s not on the web freely.
Subscribe to the Atlantic! (It’s inexpensive! It’s great!) Support GA reform! And understand how magazines try to stay in business.
Thanks. I couldn’t find the mag at the store and it is not available at their website. Bill
The version that was posted on the Eclipse site cut the entire Cirrus section anyway!
(Article had five parts:
1 General state of aviation hell;
-
Nasa’s efforts to deal with it
-
Why and how Cirrus built a parachute
-
Why and how Eclipse came up with small, light turbine engines
-
How a new system might work
Eclipse site has parts 1, 2, 4, and 5. )
Subscribe to the Atlantic! (It’s inexpensive! It’s great!) Support GA reform! And understand how magazines try to stay in business.
Jim
Don’t think you have to be apologetic for this.
I can confirm that the Atlantic is a very interesting magazine that I have enjoyed a great deal in the several months of my subscription.
Fine article, and I’m looking forward to the book (soon?). Hey, will there be a video? 
As it relates to Jim Fallows’ article, I certainly hope those among us who have decided to cough up $200,000 - $300,000 for a fine airplane aren’t deterred from springing for $3.95 to read an excellent article that focuses on their passion.
Pete
The last that I heard, Jim’s Atlantic article was unavailable on the net. For those who haven’t read it, it is available on Eclipse’s websight at http://www.eclipseaviation.com/inthenews/detail_01.htm?content_id=139
Thanks for this note. Unfortunately, I have had to ask Eclipse to take the article DOWN from its site. (I will be happy to email versions of it to interested parties.) Here is the reason why, which I hope you can understand.
For the last three years, American magazines have collectively been involved in an experiment with the Internet. The Atlantic actually led the way, almost five years ago, in putting up ALL its content for FREE, without time limit, on its web site.
In theory, everyone recognized this as a risky experiment. How could you give away the same material you were trying to sell (albeit in more attractive form, on paper)? In the last year, it has become clear that the experiement is NOT tenable. The larger the share of the public that gets its info via the Net, the more that free distribution has cut into the fundamental income sources of magazines. One by one different publications have had to find ways to move back from the “offer everything for free and also try to sell it” philosophy.
The WSJ, of course, charges a subscription for any access to its site. The New Yorker puts up only a few articles from each issue (and has very limited access to archives). Most newspapers offer free access to that day’s pieces but then charge for articles from the archives. And the Atlantic has decided, starting with this issue, not to offer its cover story for free (while offering most of the rest of the issue). Eventually I expect that some painless micro-payment scheme will emerge – you are billed fifty cents or so each time you download an article you’re interested in.
A specific part of the reasoning here is that a significant share of single-copy newstand sales are driven by people hearing “hey, there’s an interesting story in XX magazine, go check it out.” (To be specific: if this story is what you’re looking for, and you can get it from the Net, are you likely to pay $3.95 for the whole issue on the newsstand? Even though that issue has a ton of wonderful stories and art? The issue cost us just as much to produce, whether it’s distributed for free on the Net or for pay on the newsstand.) If all of those marginal sales are converted to free offerings on the Internet, it makes a big difference in our business.
All of you are in business doing something. The Atlantic is in business paying writers (like me) a salary to produce stories, but it can then recoup costs only by selling the magazines.
So, the Atlantic doesn’t offer this story for free, and Eclipse (acting in all innocence) doesn’t have the right to do so either. As a loyal part of the Cirrus family, I will find a way to get the gist of this to interested Cirrus people. But this is why it’s not on the web freely.
Subscribe to the Atlantic! (It’s inexpensive! It’s great!) Support GA reform! And understand how magazines try to stay in business.
Our resident “Ogre” writes:
Subscribe to the Atlantic! (It’s inexpensive!
It’s great!) Support GA reform! And understand
how magazines try to stay in business.
I had my problems with the unexpectedly Micawber-ish tone of the article. But I heartily endorse Jim’s entirely disinterested recommendation: Buy The Atlantic! Read The Atlantic!! Leave The Atlantic in doctors’waiting room to propogate the meme!!!
Seriously, it’s an excellent magazine. Check it out if you haven’t already.
There actually is a discussion underway in the Atlantic’s forums about the plusses and minuses of an expanded GA system, which people here might find interesting. It doesn’t require a subscription to the Atlantic, and it doesn’t really presuppose having read this article itself. If you want to post a message, you do have to register with a name and e-address.
Here’s the link.
http://forum.theatlantic.com/WebX?.ee7005a
It will be a couple of days before I can email the text of the Atlantic article to interested parties, because it is now in a form (Quark) that I can’t easily decode on my machine. Will do it as soon as I can work this out. In the meantime: patience; thanks for your interest; check your newsstands; count the days until Free Flight reaches the stores! jim f.
Jim,
I have tried, without success, to find the June issue of Atlantic on the newsstands. The local library has it, but they won’t let the current copy go out. I did read it and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the future of air travel. IÂ’ll keep trying to find the June issue. IÂ’d like to pass out a half dozen copies to some of my aviation friends in “higher” places.
I predict that your article will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest weapons in the arsenal to save Meigs.
Sometimes car dealerships pass out reprints of favorable reviews of the cars that they sell. Any chance of Atlantic selling reprints of just your article?
John
I have been a subscriber for many years and always look forward to seeing the next issue. I don’t argue with Jim one bit about the Atlantic not posting it’s articles on the internet. There is such a thing as intellectual property, and this is so, intenet or not. I agree with Pete. If you can’t afford $3.95 what are you doing putting $200 or 300K into an aircraft? Also, if you local store doesen’t have the Atlantic, either shop elsewhere or order a subscription on the internet!
Subscribe to the Atlantic! (It’s inexpensive! It’s great!) Support GA reform! And understand how magazines try to stay in business.
Jim
Don’t think you have to be apologetic for this.
I can confirm that the Atlantic is a very interesting magazine that I have enjoyed a great deal in the several months of my subscription.
Fine article, and I’m looking forward to the book (soon?). Hey, will there be a video?