proustiskeen wrote on 08/06/10 at 18:36:12:
Question - will current Chesspublishing subscribers have free access to subscribed materials, or will they have to pay again to access the updates via this app?
Unfortunately, no. Technically, you do not access these updates. Essentially, they are new products. You will have to download these updates to your device (iPhone, iPad, iTouch, other smart phones).
I hope you are not offended but it is similar to what Everyman Chess is doing with their paperbacks when converting them into eBooks. Would you say then that those who already bought their paperbacks should be given free downloads? As a matter of fact, they are selling their eBooks for $19.95 a piece. Since we like them, we also pay for them.
So there is a small price to pay for the convenience of consuming these updates (content) in a different environment. We incur costs in producing these content in Smart Chess format.
While they are the same content, they are delivered and consumed in a different way and the consumer is availed a totally different learning experience. However, we are not quite sure yet as to how much we would be pricing the updates. But it will be cheap if you think of its value. Plus, current subscribers will get to pick and choose only the Smart Chess updates they only want to consume in their respective devices. The rest you can consume as you do now via the browser or Chessbase.
We are trying to reach new markets - mostly those not already subscribed to ChessPublishing.com. However, current subscribers may choose to consume the updates outside of the current mode of access, that is, through the web via a device.
We are open to offering discounts to existing ChessPublishing.com subscribers.
ChessPublishing.com is not selling the Smart Chess updates, but we are - so it will not be right to ask Tony to absorb the cost by simply allowing current subscribers a free pass to Smart Chess updates.
I hope this satisfies your question. We are open to suggestions. Currently, I am thinking of pricing the updates for $0.99, whether it be in groups of twos or threes. In groups of twos, there will be 6 each month. In groups of threes, there will be 5 each month. Or, simply $0.99 for each update, 12 in all.
The eBooks for sure will be sold separately but will be priced inexpensively, as well. They require more time and effort to produce. It will be unlike Everyman's eBooks - totally different. The presentation scheme is much cleaner and again, you get to take the updates with you anywhere and study them anytime without needing to connect to the net.
Any ideas? Anyone?
Andres