Latest issue of Koi Nation

[MikeM]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasPR Could there be such a thing as too much education leading to disinterest? Just some thoughts - JR

Diminishing returns means diminishing audience. Yeah, but I still want to understand where Hosakai is going with his Ochiba-Goshiki crosses and nobody will tell me.

[Brian]

Quote: But here's the thing, a printed magazine really separates the professionals from the amateurs.

Hi Jim,

I see where you're coming from, but I'm not sure that I would fully agree with the above comment. There are plenty of magazines that are not that informative, many of which you can find on your local bookseller's shelf. I would argue that access to good, original information is what makes or breaks a source and separates it from the "commodities" that you mention.

You hit the nail right on the head that there is only so much ad revenue to go around and that is indeed a limiting factor. To be quite frank, I don't like to have to chase after that with my hat in my hand, nor having to worry about offending an advertiser due to the articles we run, or because of what forum members (which I have no control over by the way) post or say about them. As far as I can see, online and free is the only way to go and keep things fun and interesting for everyone and especially for yours truly.

Even the Japanese koi mags aren't making money, and at least 2 rely on funding outside of their normal revenue. I hate to think what will become of them a few years down the road as some of the older folks that help sponsor them begin to pass on. Not a happy thought.

[Nancy M.]

Brian, I am so excited that we are going to be getting our koi-bito mag back, I don't care how we get it as long as we get it. Bito was the best mag out there in my opinion, and will be again I am sure.

[dick benbow]

information overload? I don't think so......When radio came out, books just didn't go away. When TV came out, radio Didn't die, when computers came out TV didn't Pass away. People will seek the knowledge in the form and convenience that works with their personalities and their available time. We are not all the same and to have options is tremendous

I can only speak for myself and that is I love this hobby, enjoy the challenge of learning and realize that no matter how much I know it only reveals to me that there is more to learn. If Brian adds to that information pool ( as it has in the past) with his new effort then I certainly want to be encouraging. No one can be all things to all people, but each plays a valueable part towards the whole. I started this hobby at at time when there was no information and learning was always hard and painful. I'll take choices as we have now over the darkness of the past as before.

Last summer I had the priviledge of meeting Lam at the portland Show. We got to spend time together netting koi for the judges. What fun being able to share koi learning to a mind hungry for knowledge. I'm glad Lam is here on this board, still enthusiastic to learn and hope
he and others will find this place a place to be encouraged at and not to feel uncomfortable as they learn. Lam without your comment, we would not of had the priviledge of learning some great news ahead of time.

Thank-you Brian for staying with this hobby, for this board, and for continuing to follow your heart and be involved.

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasPR I see that as an economic reality also- printers are NOT cheap and mailing is also a bear. But here's the thing, a printed magazine really separates the professionals from the amateurs. I mean, every club has a newsletter now and anyone with a moderate amount of skill can now put together a webpage and collect articles. It makes this potential 'common'. And common means , in the law of supply and demand, that things like information become base commodities. I'd be interested to know if Rinko is a viable entity any more. I get that the margins are better but the circulation is suspect I would guess? So many sources of the same information. Brian, please don't let my comments take the wind out of your sails ! I'm glad you're trying. But the mind boggles thinking about the number of outlets being established for a relatively small community of dedicated koi keepers. How many ads could there be to possibly go around? And these days, even advertisers are creating their own 'educational articles' within their own webspace. Could there be such a thing as too much education leading to disinterest? Just some thoughts - JR

Interesting comments that appear to be right on the money. With that said (and maybe it's just me) I never get disinterested with Koi-Bito magazine for the same reason I never get disinterested with Koi Carp magazine. I find most koi mags and internet forums to be written in a very American style which is fine however it all tends to run together. Koi-Bito magazine with it's Japanese style look at the hobby and Koi Carp with its UK look at the hobby I find to be very refreshing..and articles by advertisers?...I never read those.

[Lam Nguyen]

Thank you Dick as always for the kind words. It was such an honor wrangling koi with you at the NW koi show last year and this forum and the koi community are fortunate to have people like you in the hobby.

I, too, am excited that Koi-Bito Magazine will be back. I am so hungry for koi knowledge right now that I can careless whether it's an online-only magazine or a physical magazine.

[smithvillemike]

I for one am extremely excited about Koi-Bito magazine coming back and want to say thanks to Brian and anyone else in the background helping. Free or not, I'm in.

I prefer internet magazines to the hard copies. I don't have enough room for all my books and magazines so something online that I can always get to is great for me. I also find it easy to do searches for specific information on internet sites, so when my brain farts and I can't remember where I read something an online search will find the info I need quickly and easily. I keep all my books, but after a while my magazines go to friends to read.

Of course my property is covered by my wireless internet connection so I can be sitting by the pond and reading my Koi-Bito or checking back articles about something I see on my koi.

thanks Brian for doing this.

Mike

[111whalen]

Sign me up "free or fee", I want to be in. I, for one, miss the articles about specific breeders. Brian, your interview strategies and command of the Japanese language gives you a true edge on that area of the hobby.
Do you need suggestions for topics? I'll bet the boys (and girls) on the forum have many ideas. I would love to know what's new in Japan- from new types of fish to new equipment. I could go on....

[kntry]

I can't wait to get the first edition! Do you have any idea when it will be posted?

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM Diminishing returns means diminishing audience. Yeah, but I still want to understand where Hosakai is going with his Ochiba-Goshiki crosses and nobody will tell me.

Hi Mike

Didn't know you were following their progress. She's mine I got her two and a half years ago. The first is when bowled at Hosokai's and the second is an in pond photo taken to show Hosokai at the All Japan Show in Jan. '07.

Mike