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I have spent a lot of time over the past year either thinking about or having conversations on the subject of print vs. digital. There seems to be a lot of passion around this subject, so it just makes sense to me to open the conversation up and let people weigh in with their thoughts.
I want to better understand what is the best way for people in our industry to receive information and if they have a preference, why.
Digital vs. printed? Online or on my desk?
I know we in the security industry are not the only people discussing this topic, so read on and weigh in on your point of view.
Let’s face it: newspapers are going out of business, or at the very least struggling. The online community has continued to grow and you can find most anything in a few seconds with a Google search. E-readers like the Kindle and Nook and tablets like the iPad have been adopted by many folks, yet some people can’t live without having their fingers in the book and hanging out at Barnes and Noble.
Personally, since I now have a GPS, iPad and an iPhone I don’t even look at a map when I am going to a strange place; for this activity I go digital. But I would not say I am a geeky, techie person, so why has my behavior changed for this activity?
Shifting Industry Activity
In the security industry there is starting to be a shift: just look at the Sweets catalog information that is no longer being printed in those huge encyclopedic green books. All that information can now only be found online. Many architect libraries are going digital. Why? Space, cost, speed, ease of use? I have heard and participated in many of these conversations and have argued both sides depending on the type of information that is being delivered.
To this point, I can’t see the scale dramatically tipping one way or the other. We recently published a totally digital catalog for electronic products, and to date have not yet printed it. Depending on who you talk with, they either must have a printed version or simply like the online better.
I said before I prefer my iPhone to a map. And the “why” is not because I am techie or don’t like paper maps, but because with the iPhone I can get what I need easily, I don’t have to carry the map, and it gives me tons of “extras” like where to go shopping or get gas close to where I am going. So for me, my preference is based on the “extras” I get. If I can get meaningful extras from a digital catalog I would change my behavior and use it.
What would you do?
Let me know in the comments: are you touchy-feely and love a printed catalog, or are you geeky-techie and prefer the online versions? Or do you simply use whatever tool is available and make it work for you? What are the reasons for your preference?
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Article by Cindy English
Director of Marketing - observer of human behavior, trends and belief systems. "Knowing what customers want and why makes each of us better everyday"
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I probably fall into category 3, using whatever tool that is available. That being said, I find plenty of uses for my personal iPad in the workplace.
The electronic catalog proved useful on a recent site vist allowing me to access a wiring diagram for an installer. I keep the abridged Code Book in my files for use when consulting with architects.
Some firms still prefer the printed catalogs but many have migrated to the web for current data allowing them to put library space to other uses.
Seana Hurd posted the following comment on this article on facebook:
I like this topic. Being in publications, I am very aware of the pros and cons or digital vs print. My personal view is I like digital when size is not relevant. When I need to see all of something at once like repairing an object, I like i…t printed. When dirt is an issue, I want it printed (wouldn’t want my ipad sandy or wet). When I am not sure exactly what I want, I like it printed because I can flip and decide as I go. As for maps, GPS all the way.
Great comments from John and Seana, anyone else have an opinion? What are your preferences?
I am now doing many more outward communications, and there is a similar call in the non-profit world to *ASK* how people want to receive information. As you note, there are two very distinct views and plenty of people fall into both camps.
I personally like to read article content online (blogs, reader, news sources, etc) but still love the feel of a good book in my hands.
This one is simple for me. I almost always go to the electronic version of things before hard copy. So I guess I’m geeky-techie. Though I may at first make whatever tool is available work for me, it doesn’t take me long to want to change, improve it, make it work more efficiently for me. Usually that means give me more access to it electronically. As we move toward more digital/electronic versions of things, we can’t lose site to the what makes the document important to it’s user/reader. If I can’t do what I did before either with the same effort or better, then give me back the old version!
A book in the hand is worth two on the screen, unless, of course, you’re moving.
I do like technology when I understand it and it works smoothly. When there are non-operator problems, I prefer the old fashioned method. Technology is supposed to make our lives easier.
For work related items these days, I tend to go to the electronic version of documents if I am simply reading them. In most cases it is faster to flip through a properly indexed electronic catalog than it is to find the printed version and flip to the appropriate page in a printed copy. The one exception is when I need to edit or mark-up something. Then I prefer a printed copy.
Sean Leonard posted this comment on the facebook page:
Totally agree Cindy. I think a key point you make is to focus on providing relevant content in ways that make it convenient for the audience to use. Great post-