Times are a-changing! We’ve all heard this many times before and sometimes just accept change without thinking or caring, until something catches our attention. There have been massive changes in our sport in recent years - just take the phenomenal success of the wing mast used by BMW Oracle Racing in the recent America’s Cup clash. The same is happening in the publishing industry worldwide, and we at SAILING have to be constantly aware of change, and are not immune to it. Many years ago we moved away from the old ‘cut ‘n paste’ method of designing magazines and went into electronic publishing in the form of DTP (desktop publishing). We are moving forward again. SAILING is launching an electronic version, or ‘e-zine’, of the magazine. Now before those traditionalists and die-hards out there think that they will not be able to get their favourite monthly SAILING mag in a printed form any longer, I can assure you that it is not our intention to replace print with an electronic format. We believe in the power of print, the printed word, and the relevance of a printed magazine - and know that it is impractical to take a Computer Notebook to bed! We are doing it specifically to assist those who have gone, or are going, cruising, and those ‘ex-pats’ who live in many different parts of the world, but want to keep in touch with their favourite sport either here in South Africa or abroad. The cost of foreign postage today is exorbitant; the electronic version of SAILING should make it easier for these people to keep in touch. As of this issue (September 2010), South Africa’s most authoritative and informative sailing publication will offer an electronic subscription option for the same price (R210 annually) as a normal subscription within SA. That means you can receive the complete magazine in an easy page-turning format that downloads quickly and simply on your computer screen. So whether you’re lounging in London, cruising the Caribbean or humping around the Horn, your sports’ most popular and entertaining monthly is right there with you - at the click of a mouse. For full details of our E-Zine subscription service, go to www.sailing.co.za and follow the instructions. Those who enjoy browsing the internet may have noticed that we recently totally revamped our web page. The site is more interactive, cleaner looking, and easier to navigate in all respects. The secure subscription section gives one a safe and easy way to subscribe online, while one can submit Free Classifieds ads online, and even submit events for entry in the Harken Events Calendar. Plus, there is a button for easy access to our SAILING Books division where we believe we have the best selection of books on sailing in South Africa. I hope that you enjoy and embrace the changes we have made.
Freedom of the Press We note with much alarm and dismay the increasing pressure being brought to bear on the freedom of the Press. I wish to go on record that we align ourselves firmly with those opposed to any attempt to gag the media.