Dear American Field management and ownership:
I have been a loyal subscriber and contributor for six decades. I understand and appreciate the economic reasons for your leavIng behind the world of print media. I write to urge you to pursue excellence in the world of internet publishing. I will gladly pay for on-line access to your priceless records of the pointing dog world going back to 1874, and I believe others will also. Please do not let your (and our) heritage slip away.
For example, consider the history neatly stored in the bound annual volumes of the Field Dog Stud Book through 1948. In the back of each volume are the printed results of every Field-sanctioned trial, open and amateur, of the year, including date, place, number of entries, judges, and identities of placed dogs with owner(s) and handler. You can at little cost scan this material and make it available to readers on your website. You can do the same with the same information post 1948, and with some or all of the weekly issues of the Field, perhaps starting with the Holiday issues. I will gladly pay a premium subscription fee for this, and so will others.
It is obvious from your current online offerings that you need expertise in the field of online publishing. This is not intended as criticism of any individual, your staff are most accommodating. But like me, they did not grow up in the Digital Age. Please get access to the help you need.
With all good wishes,
Tom Word
While I have received the online edition since it became available (as well as the hard copy) I am aware of individuals who do not have access to computers/internet. Hopefully Bernie will consider these individuals when he makes his final decision. Thanks.
I appreciate your sending suggestions to the Field with insights to help make the online process and content more appealing to all.