I ended up canceling the digital subscription, because although there is value in having access to the online versions of the articles, I found the video workshops to be the most compelling reason and my subscription price for that quadrupled. I went through and looked at the video workshops, and amongst the different subcategories there’s only about one or two pages of content within the last four years and then everything else is old. I think if magazine increased the content I would probably come back. I’d be more likely to come back if the price was lowered. The Queen Anne chair by Dan Faia was excellent, but this is probably the only substantial workshop content in the last three years. I know that YouTube is probably the reason why more content is not behind the pay wall. Magazine should engage more with the artists to put on exclusive content to make a subscription more compelling. Also, in the print magazine, I am seeing a lot of recycled articles in the recent years covering techniques that are already well covered in prior issues. I see such magnificent works of art in the gallery section yet articles on how to build these pieces are never produced.
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Replies
The reason for the gap in content was the pandemic. They had put them on hold because of safety concerns.
Everything is geared toward making money which means there’s a certain amount of deception going on. What a wonderful world we could live in if the primary goal of creating content was based on what consumers really want.
That’s why I like what guys like Cosman & Tom McLaughlin are doing on YouTube. They are entertaining and informative. You watch the entire process. The problem with print articles is they miss key points. These key points keep you coming back which is part of the deception.
Knowing you haven’t paid for anything yet, for small money you can pay these guys per month or per course for their online classes. In my opinion the value overall here is incredible and dependable.
I have both a separate magazine subscription and the online membership (long story and I'm ok paying a bit more). Given the challenges in all things print (my wife works for a newspaper), I'm happy to throw some money FWW way. I'd be very sad if they went out of business. You can certainly learn woodworking via YouTube. If one magazine is going to survive, I want it to be FWW (oh, and Mortise and Tenon magazine). I very much enjoy the biweekly podcasts while driving in my car and I like to think my subscriptions help fund that.
I also wish there were more video workshops. Please make more. I have been over and over them and watched some more than once. Some of the more recent magazine projects would be perfect for this.
I have both the print and digital subscriptions. I love Tom McLaughlin and Rob Cosman but I’m not retired yet and thus don’t have an hour to devote to every video. I love the FWW videos (even though some a bit dated) but the workshops are in bite sizes and also usually accompanied by articles/plans (this is huge). I love that I can download and print pdf articles and/or watch/read on my iPad. Also, I know the information I get from FWW is solid and foundational. Also, they have a free podcast that’s fun to listen to while I’m in the shop. FWW provides tremendous value, in my opinion, and is worth every single penny.
If there is a video series release each year to the quality of the Dan Faia series then that's incredible value given that just the digital archive access is worth the price of entry. Youtube is all fine and entertaining but the well vetted FWW content is the best available.
That's not to mention an amazing podcast.
I think Ben has mentioned a Tim Coleman video workshop in the future if that helps.
I don't have an eidetic memory so the videos are reference material for me rather than something to watch like a TV show. As an accompaniment to an article a video of the operations involved is very helpful. The fact that a video is from 2005 does not make it any less valuable when it is demonstrating a method or procedure from a century ago.
FWW is in a no-win situation. Some folks complain about the same subject being re-ground but want a constant supply of new videos. There are only so many ways to show someone making a chest of drawers.
Thanks to GDB for a new word... Saving y'all some time:
eidetic /ī-dĕt′ĭk/ adjective
Of, relating to, or marked by extraordinarily detailed and vivid recall of visual images. Pertaining to a memory or mental image of perfect clarity, as though actually visible; or to a person able to see such memories. Of visual imagery of almost photographic accuracy.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
The Dan Faia series has been the highlight of my week for the past couple of months. Kudos to Dan and the FWW team for bringing our community this amazing content.
Fine Woodworking has been an incredible resource over the years balancing content for all skill levels.
Thanks to the FWW team…keep up the great work. I will continue to look forward to the weekly drops on the Queen Anne chair project as well as the next magazine issue.