In reply to afx22:
> The update looks like a nice step forward, however a fundamental issue for me is that I'm not keen on paying for a crag in the Rockfax App and for a Rockfax Guidebook. Also, I can't solely use the App for my climbing - I need the Guidebooks.
Hi Matt
Thanks for your comments.
Currently with the system we have it isn't possible for us to offer app and book linked purchases. However we are going to have to make the transition to hosting the App packages ourselves which will give us more control over packages and allow us to offer discounts for book buyers etc.
I do think that there is obviously value in each format hence I think it is reasonable to expect some payment for it. Rather like if you bought North Wales Climbs would you really expect to get North Wales Classics for free simply because it has much of the same information in it?
> - Get a unique licence code to purchase the equivalent electronic App Guide for a small add on cost - Say £3
We don't like this system since it is extremely expensive on printing. Also, when we host our own material we will be able to manage it, however it will only be for purchases made direct through the Rockfax site.
> - The App will need to become fully definitive but I appreciate that would take a long time to achieve.
This does bring up a new point which is worth discussing. I'll do a book scenario to illustrate.
Buy an Mallorca Rockfax in 2011 and you get that book to keep and use. When we produce a new book in 2016 you can choose to buy that with its new crags and updated info, or not. Your old copy maybe fine however it probably will eventually wear out. No-one really has any problem with this.
With an App there is potential for us to keep updating the info so that the 2011 guide would effectively morph slowly into the 2016 guide and there would be no new product to sell. The logistics of this are such that, at present, we are likely to only do this to a significant degree when working on a new edition of the book, hence it isn't a slow morph so much as one with a clear change happening when a new book is due.
Our current plan when this happens is to create a new app version based on the new book. ie. there would be a Mallorca 2011 app package, and a Mallorca 2016 app package. These would be separate purchases although there would certainly be potential for 'upgrade discounts'. The 2011 package would still exist and be maintained on the Rockfax server but it wouldn't be available in the app for new purchase and it wouldn't be updated.
I am interested what people feel about this? If you buy an app package do you feel you are subscribing to that area for ever? If so, would you prefer to pay a yearly subscription?
Alan