The Future of Automotive Journalism?

[Jack_Bauer]

There have been rumours flying around auto-enthusiast forums in the UK for a few weeks now, but finally the cat is out of the bag. Three of the UK's most influential car magazine journalists Chris Harris (Autocar), Richard Meaden and Jethro Bovingdon (both EVO) have left their positions and set up a new online venture all of their own.

Details are sketchy at present, but it seems like it will be an online magazine which will feature video reviews of cars too (much like Harris's "Chris on Camera" segments for Autocar magazine). It also promises to be an 'interactive' experience for the reader. Quite what this means exactly is not known, but to be making a big deal about it one would assume it will be more than just a discussion forum or the like.

Anyway, this is where it's all gonna happen - drivers-republic.com (http://www.drivers-republic.com/)

The site is due to get up and running in the next couple of weeks apparently.

So will it work? Is this the future for petrol heads? Where will this leave Autocar and EVO now that they've each lost arguably their most talented and influential writers? Interesting questions... :confused:

[NicFromLA]

There have been rumours flying around auto-enthusiast forums in the UK for a few weeks now, but finally the cat is out of the bag. Three of the UK's most influential car magazine journalists Chris Harris (Autocar), Richard Meaden and Jethro Bovingdon (both EVO) have left their positions and set up a new online venture all of their own.

Details are sketchy at present, but it seems like it will be an online magazine which will feature video reviews of cars too (much like Harris's "Chris on Camera" segments for Autocar magazine). It also promises to be an 'interactive' experience for the reader. Quite what this means exactly is not known, but to be making a big deal about it one would assume it will be more than just a discussion forum or the like.

Anyway, this is where it's all gonna happen - drivers-republic.com (http://drivers-republic.com)

The site is due to get up and running in the next couple of weeks apparently.

So will it work? Is this the future for petrol heads? Where will this leave Autocar and EVO now that they've each lost arguably their most talented and influential writers? Interesting questions... :confused:

But what the hell am I going to read on the can?

[IBrake4Rainbows]

....Take your laptop?

Anything that relies on up-to-the-minute coverage needs the internet these days. So if they're doing news based stuff it's a good call. but people do not read screens because they want to - It's because they have to.

[RacingManiac]

So Evo lost 2 of 3 of my favorite car magazine writers(other being Barker)? Dang....

[pimento]

Suits me, I don't read any car magazines so this'll be the first I've seen of any of their work. Hopefully it's something different to TopGear.com so they can co-exist nicely.

[Wouter Melissen]

But what the hell am I going to read on the can?

Download PDF versions of your favourite articles. :)

[pimento]

Download PDF versions of your favourite articles. :)

Genius! :D

[baddabang]

Do you think subscription fees will also change? I know there is charges for web hosting and servers, but is this cheaper than postage to thousands to people and retailers?

[Waugh-terfall]

Ah what?! Dickie Meaden & Bov have actually left?!
Damn, they really are good, atleast Henry Catchpole, Richard Porter are still there.

[lightweight]

This is really good news, but the idea has been around for ages.

Winding Road has been doing this for many years and I have to say pretty well...

It's good to see that other credible journos take that route!! The cost of digital mags is much lower whereas the visual result is of much higher quality. Another element of e-zines that I like is that it saves you space on your bookshelves and at the same time all the articles you need are just a click away!

[NSXType-R]

This is really good news, but the idea has been around for ages.

Winding Road has been doing this for many years and I have to say pretty well...

It's good to see that other credible journos take that route!! The cost of digital mags is much lower whereas the visual result is of much higher quality. Another element of e-zines that I like is that it saves you space on your bookshelves and at the same time all the articles you need are just a click away!

...or the bathroom bookcase. :D

I really haven't read anything from EVO magazine, so I really have no idea who these authors are.

Oh well, I'll get to see them online then.

[NicFromLA]

Download PDF versions of your favourite articles. :)

I'm not taking my laptop into the bathroom with me.

Personally I like having paper in my hand. I honestly don't understand why they don't just work on expanding the web content and features on the EVO web site?

[henk4]

I'm not taking my laptop into the bathroom with me.

Personally I like having paper in my hand. I honestly don't understand why they don't just work on expanding the web content and features on the EVO web site?

Oh, Nick, PDF files can be printed.....and if you finish reading them you can re-use them too;)

[Spastik_Roach]

Good to see you getting in on the recycling act Pieter :)

[Zytek_Fan]

I hope Evo doesn't go down hill. It's pretty much the only car magazine worth reading...

[henk4]

Good to see you getting in on the recycling act Pieter :)

I am currently in Banda Aceh, monitoring a project on the reuse of the debris and waste resulting from the Tsunami three years ago.....

[IBrake4Rainbows]

It's a bit sad how little progress has been made in some areas - especially those where the Population were already living pretty poorly :(

But still, I'm sure PDF documents would be highly appreciated in Banda Aceh :D Any plans to go home Via Australia?

[henk4]

It's a bit sad how little progress has been made in some areas - especially those where the Population were already living pretty poorly :(

But still, I'm sure PDF documents would be highly appreciated in Banda Aceh :D Any plans to go home Via Australia?
Actually the irony of the tsunami is that it overarched the permanently ongoing conflict between the local population and the Government, and that forces have been joined to solve the common problems, but once I am on a more stable internet connection, I will prepare a separate thread with some pictures.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Well it's good that the Indonesian military is putting it's resources (and the resources of Aid suppliers) to better use than holding it hostage so that the people in need don't get it because they're not fighting on the same side. It makes a nice change.

[NicFromLA]

Oh, Nick, PDF files can be printed.....and if you finish reading them you can re-use them too;)

1) I don't have a printer in my apartment. 2) Owch.

[henk4]

1) I don't have a printer in my apartment. 2) Owch.
so not having a printer is stopping you to becoming a supporting member???;)

[LandQuail]

But what the hell am I going to read on the can?

'Quail is perhaps uniquely suited to comment on matters concerning journalism, as he is, in truth, in fact, in fairness, the one and only Joe Lamb, Log Cabin Staff Writer (TheCabin.net ·· Log Cabin Democrat of Conway, Arkansas (http://www.thecabin.net)).

If you live in Central Arkansas, then you know. All six dozen of you. But nobody read this:
TheCabin.net ·· Altima Coupe and Chevy Cobalt reviewed 01/08/08 (http://www.thecabin.net/stories/010808/loc_0108080004.shtml)

and i'm sure none of our readers read this:
TheCabin.net ·· Bang for the buck: Today's cheapest cars tested, reviewed 09/10/07 (http://www.thecabin.net/stories/091007/loc_0910070003.shtml)

Point is, we've toyed around with the idea of turning our newspaper into an online-only publication. It cuts the overall expenses in half, while the budget (bouyed by advertising revenue) stays the same.

It's the Shangri-La of the publishing world. It's cake and eating it too.

Except that it doesn't really work.

Nic from LA, despite the dual handicaps of being named Nic and living in LA,
has hit on a very crucial point in asking what we will all read while on the shitter.

I don't know about you all, but I finished The Grapes of Wrath while on the shitter. I polished off Faulkner's As I Lay Dying and Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises on my throne also.

I've killed off a half-dozen Vonneguts, a Stephen King or three and The Great Gatsby while on the can.

I can't even count the number of EVOs, Octanes and Automobiles I've cover-to-covered in the ole water closet.

But not once have I ever read anything approaching magazine-length on the interweb.

It's a shiny brass ring, and one that all too many publishers reach for, but once you've got it on the end of your dowel it just doesn't budge. You either let go, or you get dragged off the (porcelain?) pony.

And it's for the same reason that we're not living in the paperless world we'd been periodically promised from 1950 onwards: People need to hold it In Their Hands.

If Jethro Bovingdon and Richard Meaden are leaving EVO for this online thing, then I hope they know what they're doing. I sincerely wish the both of them the best, as they're two of the best. But this tired old 'Quail is not of the belief that the internet is the future of automotive journalism.

'Quail is the future of automotive journalism.

¡SQUAWK!

[NicFromLA]

Thanks for your understanding Quail. And for hitting the nail on the head. One last thing though: if you can polish off "The Grapes of Wrath" on the can, you might want to see a doctor about that.

[Klemmel]

Today I tried to read the GT2-article on drivers-republic.com while on the can (like I usually would do with EVO or Octane). It didn't go well because my laptop wigths 3,5 kilos. In other words, I got exhausted!
Next time I will leave the computer behind and read "The V12 Engine" by Karl Ludvigsen (which is also quit heavy, but manageable)...

I'm also wondering if the gases I develop are corrosive and could damage my computer??

[Matra et Alpine]

Today I tried to read the GT2-article on drivers-republic.com while on the can (like I usually would do with EVO or Octane). It didn't go well because my laptop wigths 3,5 kilos. In other words, I got exhausted!
Next time I will leave the computer behind and read "The V12 Engine" by Karl Ludvigsen (which is also quit heavy, but manageable)...
eBook on mobile phone and audio books are your friend :)
I'm also wondering if the gases I develop are corrosive and could damage my computer??
After a meal of Lutefisk for sure !!
:D

[Klemmel]

...or maybe some Haggis? ;)

[Matra et Alpine]

Having eaten both, no contest :)
Today, sadly the "fear" of Haggis is unfounded as laws prevent all the "other bits" of meat being used :( :(