To avoid confusion on the matter of GP+ subscriptions, I think it is best to explain that the subscriptions run from January 1 to December 31 each year. Thus, if you buy now, you will be paying for the year that we have had, not the year ahead. However, there is an advantage in doing this as you will be getting the entire archive (96 magazines, in total) free of charge if you sign up now. Next year we have decided to charge for the archive, because we feel we are being a little too generous. Thus signing up now is a cheaper option than signing up next year and paying for the archive.
If you wish to give GP+ as a present to someone for 2012, I am happy to accept payments now, as long as they are GIFT subscriptions. The gift subscriptions will not be activated until after the New Year, but we will inform everyone that they have received a present and when the 2012 subscriptions go live.
For more information, go to www.grandprixplus.com
‘Git subscriptions’ – lol
I like the idea of a git subscription!
Hi Joe,
I subscriped to GP+ a couple of years ago and thought it was great, but unfortunately due to extensive travelling with work I was unable to sit at a laptop/pc long enough to read through it all.
I’ve since upgraded to a Kindle and I wondered if you had given any thought to publishing on this device? I know people have talked about how great it works on the ipad, but I don’t have one of those :-p
Cheers,
Dave
Dave C,
We are looking at these things, but time is always the problem.
Joe, does that mean that those of us who are current subscribers will lose access to the archive? In that case, I’m assuming we’re advised to download the entire set before the end of the year.
Many thanks,
-k-
karlt,
Yes, you are advised to download the archive. I assumed that most people did this automatically
I’m sure I wouldn’t consider giving a git a subscription, but thanks anyway
Will there be any paid-for “advertorials” in the magazine next year, and if so, will they be flagged as such?
I asked about a suspiciously positive article explaining the virtues of Kangaroo TV via Twitter (that was not marked as a paid-for article in any way) but got no response, which made me quite concerned about the rest of the publication.
Nick,
You obviously do not read the magazine very closely if you think that we are the kind of people who do advertorials. Fanvision (which is what Kangaroo TV is now called) is a great thing for fans. It is a bit expensive but it increases the enjoyment and understanding of an event hugely.
How much are the “git” subscriptions?;)
I’d love a “git subscriptions”! Is this especially for the mother-in-laws or traffic wardens in our lives?
This does help clarify things. Thanks.
And thanks to all of you for a great magazine that is indeed all about the passion. I’ve been following F1 I was a youngster in the late 1950s and I can honestly say I’ve never had a more enjoyable season nor have I ever felt so well informed and connected to the sport.
Nah, as far as I’m concerned, I knew about that, and bought the subscription even that way, particularly because of the Archive/Vault.
I was thinking about subscribing since the beginning of the year, and didn’t do it before because (1) my paypal account still wasn’t set up correctly and (2) the excessive pro-HAM stance shown in the “Aside” podcasts.
Anyway I liked it, and I’m planning to renew the subs for next year.
cheers,
Carlos
Pro-HAM? I am pro the best drivers. If you choose to read some other motivations into it, you’re wrong.
I know a “git” or two who might, maybe, have earned a sub, Joe!
(typo, of course, but it is your own advert!)
But, thank you, does this mean i can gift subs before end of year, and they get the archive also?
If so, Bonanza.
- j
That is most unusual. Most folks expect a subscription to run from the day they purchase for one year or one month. Take a look around the web – freshbooks, 37 signals, hubspot etc, all work this way.
I think you may get more traction if you offer a rolling weekly, monthly subscription – the smaller the duration the larger the fractional cost.
Stephen Kellett,
Be that as it may. This is designed so that if we decide it is not worth doing we can stop at the end of a year, rather than have to roll on for a whole year. This is still a new baby and we need more support before we start doing things like you are suggesting.
Hi Joe still good value I will have to download archive this year then.
Not sure I want to be known ad having a Git subscription though
So, let me get this straight, my wife wants to buy me a gift subscription for next year, for christmas. If she pays now, will I still get access to the archives ?
Thanks !
Troy,
If she buys now, you will get a 2011 subscription and free access to the archives. If she buys for 2012 you will have to pay for the archive.
I’ve always wanted to subscribe to a git. My mind is racing with what might happen when he/she is activated in the New Year. What a great present to give; to Bernie for example.
so to renew my subscription i should just wait till january?
Jack, I will let you know when things are ready to go. It will be after the final GP+ of this year.
Joe – if we buy/subscribe post-New Year, what shall the arrangements for purchasing the back catalogue be?
P.S. I shall certainly be subscribing in the near future, if not before New Year, certainly before the new season!
What wii be next year’s charge for the archive? Thank you.
P.S. Love your writing and perspective and will be joining this year or next.
Tom Hecker,
It is yet to be settled, but will probably be by year, with perhaps £10 per year. That is not final, but it will be in that order.
Joe I appreciate that you (rightly) dislike pedantic spell checkers, but you surely can’t expect “git subscriptions” to go unremarked?……
A rare grammatical error there Joe- never mind it has amused me
“git subscriptions” 
“The git subscriptions” – freudian slip?
I agree about Fanvision. It’s a bit expensive but it improves the experience at a GP immensley. I remember at the Abu Dhabi GP in 2009, I was a little bored but when I saw the battle b/w Button and Vettel via livetiming, I became enamored with that portion of the race. It would’ve been impossible without it.
Dave C is right. Kindle and iTunes would be massive for you. Yes they take their cut but it would be a huge boost to readership. Have a good Christmas Joe.