RIB International, RIBnet and 4x4s

[Keith Hart]

< This was in response to this thread about tow vehicles.
I've split the thread to keep the two subjects separate JK >


Hmmmmmmmm

Funny thing is, remember a certain thread about Rib International magazine a while back. I seem to remember a lot of critisism about it having too many roads tests of 4 x 4 vehicles, saying this was of no interest!

Somehow from reading this thread I can't quite agree with that

Keith (stir, stir) Hart

[Mike Garside]

Aaaah, but Keith, that was cos we all knew that...

(a) it was a cheap way for that rag to get free loan cars and
(b) the content was about as objective as my view on laws for boat owners.

This is totally different. These guys are well informed and write from the heart.

[Richard B]

Quite right, Mike.

If you don't want to read this thread, then you don't have to... but every 4x4 review in R.I. cost each one of us 17p a go.

[Charles]

I usually stick my neck out, so why change a habit of a life-time.
I seem to recall not too long ago this forum was swamped by posts slating Rib International for covering this very subject. There were moans all around castigating Hugo and his staff, 'How can they cover tow-vehicles in a Rib Magazine?' Now, here we have a web-site dedicated to our wonderful craft with the exact same subject. Postings galore! Double standards methinks?!!
I think it is great to use whatever media is available to advise, comment and possibly assist us all in making better choices in our purchases for anything relating to Ribs - I rest my case, and will shut up now.

[John Kennett]

We know that you are RIB International's number one fan, but keep up! Read the whole thread and you'll see we've already been there

Double standards don't come into it. What people want from a magazine obviously differes from what they want to see on a web site. A bit of chat on a web site (31 posts out of a total of 22,395 at last count) is quite different to including several pages of manufacturer's blurb in each edition of a paid for magazine!

John

[Charles]

Originally posted by John Kennett
We know that you are RIB International's number one fan, but keep up!
John

Hey John
You should get a chip on your other shoulder so that you can even things out a bit. I simply try and foster good relations with everyone to make the sport/hobby more enjoyable for all. Its easy to take potshots at everyone all the time. I would defend Ribnet just the same.

[John Kennett]

No chip on my shoulder!

I would defend Ribnet just the same.

RIBnet doesn't need defending. Nor does RIB International. They both stand or fall by their content.

You think RIB International is great as it is. Lots of people seem to think that there is room for improvement. It has not been attacked, but there has certainly been some honest critiscism. Judging by the recent changes to the magazine this feedback appears to have been quite useful.

This seems to me a more productive way of benefiting ribbing!

John

[Charles]

[Mike Garside]

Charles, try this one for size.

I have said, more than frequently, that RIB international is rubbish. I only do this because I understand the dynamics of publishing niche market magazines.

I have never met your good friend Hugo (other than an encounter in some hotel the morning of his 2001 show when I spoke to him at the breakfast self-serve counter of the hotel in which we were both staying (he won't remember me - I had the advantage of knowing who he was and he hadn't a clue who I am - why should he?)).

So, Charles, for what it it's worth, arrange an intro between us- face to face - and free, gratis and for nothing, I will tell Hugo how to secure the RIB publishing market before someone else steals it from under his nose.

As pretentious as that sounds, I would like just to add that I phoned him a few years back before I owned a RIB myself and asked him if he would like to sell RIB International to me. Understandably he said "no". I would have said the same thing, too. The mag is his life; without it he hasn't got a job.

Nonetheless, Hugo needs to understand is that he is dead vulnerable. Probably a hell of a sight more than he thinks. The RIB market has now grown to the point that it is attractive to a mainstream playing publisher. He needs to be scared and he needs to react.

Fast.

[Charles]

I'll PM you or e-mail, Cheers Mike.