Save Over £200 - The Delights of Digital

I know the debate about digital versus a lovely, real, tactile, paper-book-in-your-hand continues. Just last week I was looking to see what was new in some of the little cutting-edge design stores in Brighton and found a table full of Selvedge magazines. For about the third time this year, I found myself gathering up armfuls of this wonderful, bi-monthly, dedicated-textile magazine ready to go to the till - even at nearly £10 a copy, I was ready to take the pain in my purse. But then the still, small voice that gets to me everytime I approach a cash till with magazines or books, asked yet again, And when you have read them, where will they go? Will you be able to remember where all the good, inspiring articles are in them - and quickly - or will you have to trawl through them all for that one special article? I have a studio full of books and magazines, partly indexed and cross-referenced, but frankly without taking on extra staff, I know this indexing is a battle waiting to be lost. And, back there in Brighton, I knew, deep in my heart, that if I wanted so many magazines, it really did make sense to wait and take out a subscription when I got home. And that is what I did. But joy of joy! I could take out a digital subscription for a reduced rate of £25 for 6 issues - and not only that, I had access to 23 back copies also! W-w-w-wow. Child in a sweetie shop, is what you would have thought if you'd seen me then. I can save pages as jpegs to special folders so I can find what inspired me again and quickly - no scissors, no wondering if I'm cutting up something important on the other side. I have to say, if you are curious about the delights of digital, there is no better way of finding out - at the end of the year I shall have enjoyed 29 Selvedge Magazines for just £25 - and that is more than an armful, by anyone's reckoning.