With the greatest of respect, that is a very odd post! But I appreciate the time you spent on writing it, and all feedback is valuable and welcomed.

So, basically, you're complaining about something you haven't tried but don't want anyway, and you're sure there's a good reason for us doing it the way we have but you've not read the other threads about it to find out before commenting.

Hmmm....

Well, yes. There is a very good reason why the iPad app isn't and can't currently be tied into the various subscription offerings we already provide. The nature of the way the app is produced means it is sold by Apple, not SOS. Apple pass on to us some of the revenue, but not the purchaser details.

So people who buy or subscribe to the iPad apps become subscribers on Apple's database and we have no access to that information, so we have no way of tying it into our own subscriber database and any other subscriptions customers may have directly with us.

It's very frustrating for us as well as our loyal customers, but that's the way it has to be until such time as Apple and the third-party suppliers who produce the App-creation tools resolve the problem. It is beyond our control and all we can do is lobby them to change the system.

If you're happy with the paper magazine and on-line access then that's great. However, the iPad app gives a different experience, most notably in that it allows direct and instant access to embedded sound files and video clips, which makes gives a more interactive and, I think, satisfying experience. I think a lot of our customers have or will be moving to the iPad when their existing paper subs expire for that reason. I must say that I'm a complete convert to it, and prefer it now to the paper mag.

But each to their own -- we all have different requirements and preferences, and it's nice to be able to offer so many ways of access our published content.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

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