Distinctly Montana Magazine

Publishers A NOTE FROM THE The great thing in the world ith this issue, Distinctly Montana makes a slight, but significant shift in its distribution by offering digital-only subscriptions to the magazine. While you will still be able to visit with DM in print at the time we publish, new subscribers can get the whole e-zine experience for a mere $5.95 for 365 days of DM…a 75% reduction in the price of a print subscription, archives included. W WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? Well, frankly, a number of things — some practical, some neces- sary, some "green." For starters, it really makes little economic sense to offer "Gutenberg" subscriptions, which are diffi- cult to print and mail profitably; plus there is a necessary drain of time, energy, and resources when compared to the production of web-based digital editions. Technology is also at the point where beautiful, full-color versions of every magazine unfold, page-by-page on e-readers, tablets, and any number of mobile appliances. The DM digital version (DMd) offers videos, music, and great hyper-links, all of which contribute to a richer, more fulfilling reading experience. Like most magazines, we are exploring ways to make our "reads" more meaningful and, frankly, more fun. We also do this in anticipation of a future in which a major, national magazine publisher insisted to us at a re- cent lunch will be primarily, if not exclusively, digital. He fully expects most print newspapers and periodicals to be digital within 10 years, provoked by economic necessity on the behalf of publishers, and regardless of any human proclivity for the smell, touch, and feel of a spanking-new publication. "Not to worry," he said, "Montana will likely be one of the last places (in America) to fully adopt digital publishing. You have time." "I've been in real estate for 12 years, and has always worked well for my business." PAM MCCUTCHEON Realtor SMALL DOG REALTY see page 7 WE STAND, AS IN WHAT DIRECTION WE ARE MOVING. ~ OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Well…maybe. But, really his statement is a bit beside the point. If you are still a closet Luddite in the age of technol- ogy, just visit the American Computer Museum in Boze- man (p.66) to see what has transpired over an eye-blink in time. As the computer and In- ternet age has evolved, so have tablets and other truly mobile devices improved with each it- eration; they now offer a grand opportunity for publishers to merge creativity and informa- tion with the flurry and excite- ment of unfolding technology. Within a very few short years, many "old" print icons — menus, travel guides, brochures and, of course, newspapers and magazines, will evolve to multi-dimensional experiences which will amaze, startle and, occasionally, frighten us with prospects now only at the frontier of imagination. Distinctly Montana will stay in the thick of the digital soup of "1's" and "0's," as we try to decipher what our readers (and advertisers!) look for in a quality publication of the 21st century. We also welcome the opportunity to use a little less paper and contribute a little less waste to our over-burdened environment. If you are holding the print edition while you read, check out all our digital editions at distinctlymontana. com. They are as bright and shiny as the day they were printed. And don't forget to subscribe! Bill Muhlenfeld, Publisher bill@distinctlymontana.com IS NOT SO MUCH WHERE is one of YT's top choices for advertising our design-and-build construction business. We are very pleased at the results." RON ADAMS Owner YELLOWSTONE TRADITIONS see back cover is a beautiful, quality magazine that presents our ads so well. We enjoy the relationship with the staff who are truly proactive business partners working for our success." LESLIE BLAIR Manager Marketing & Planning BILLINGS CLINIC see page 7 10 DISTINCTLY MONTANA • SPRING 2012 "Distinctly Montana "Distinctly Montana Distinctly Montana

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