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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/oct/24/big-issue-in-the-north-digital-edition-manchester-pilot-street-vendors
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| Big Issue in the North pilots world's first digital street paper | Big Issue in the North pilots world's first digital street paper |
| (8 days later) | |
| Ever innovative, the Big Issue in the North is piloting what it claims to be the world's first digital street magazine; as well as the traditional – and excellent – paper version, we will be able to download the paper online. | Ever innovative, the Big Issue in the North is piloting what it claims to be the world's first digital street magazine; as well as the traditional – and excellent – paper version, we will be able to download the paper online. |
| The change starts in Manchester next Monday, 29 October, and uses technology on a printed card with a unique redemption code. Type this into a web browser or scan it with a mobile phone and Bingo!, the digital version is yours. | The change starts in Manchester next Monday, 29 October, and uses technology on a printed card with a unique redemption code. Type this into a web browser or scan it with a mobile phone and Bingo!, the digital version is yours. |
| There's a chance to try things out this week using a QR code on posters and flyers, one or more of which should be on a street or in a letterbox, shop or business near you. The idea is choice not replacement, although the digital version has the potential to have features which cannot be reproduced on paper, much like our own good selves at the Guardian. The Northerner, for example... | There's a chance to try things out this week using a QR code on posters and flyers, one or more of which should be on a street or in a letterbox, shop or business near you. The idea is choice not replacement, although the digital version has the potential to have features which cannot be reproduced on paper, much like our own good selves at the Guardian. The Northerner, for example... |
| The project has won support from the charity, the International Network of Street Papers, which is keen to keep the movement abreast of the revolution sweeping through the world's media. One key thing, for an organisation in which the link between vendor and customer is very important, is to avoid the isolated, hypnotised-by-screen-all-alone syndrome which can appear to be a feature of digital reading. Caroline Price, director at The Big Issue in the North says: | The project has won support from the charity, the International Network of Street Papers, which is keen to keep the movement abreast of the revolution sweeping through the world's media. One key thing, for an organisation in which the link between vendor and customer is very important, is to avoid the isolated, hypnotised-by-screen-all-alone syndrome which can appear to be a feature of digital reading. Caroline Price, director at The Big Issue in the North says: |
| We hope that the digital edition will help the magazine, which has been in circulation in Manchester since 1992, continue to be a success. The city is the right place to trial the world's first digital street newspaper. We are a digitally savvy city with a vibrant young community who we hope will support this initiative. This is not about replacing our traditional print magazine; it is about moving with the times and giving people a choice in how they read the magazine. The Big Issue in the North's primary aim is to provide homeless people with the opportunity to earn an income. In order to continue to do this, we need to ensure we appeal to a broad range of readers, including people who choose to read newspapers and magazines online. | We hope that the digital edition will help the magazine, which has been in circulation in Manchester since 1992, continue to be a success. The city is the right place to trial the world's first digital street newspaper. We are a digitally savvy city with a vibrant young community who we hope will support this initiative. This is not about replacing our traditional print magazine; it is about moving with the times and giving people a choice in how they read the magazine. The Big Issue in the North's primary aim is to provide homeless people with the opportunity to earn an income. In order to continue to do this, we need to ensure we appeal to a broad range of readers, including people who choose to read newspapers and magazines online. |
| A recent survey of vendors found that more than 70% were interested in having something new to sell and discuss with customers. The current northern band of vendors totals some 250, many reliant on the income from sales and also very keen on the chance to interact with other people. That helps to rebuild confidence and self-esteem. Take Craig, a vendor living in a Manchester hostel, who came to The Big Issue in the North after losing his job and suffering from depression. After street-selling for eight months, a system which sees vendors buy copies for £1 each and sell them for £2, keeping the difference, he says: | A recent survey of vendors found that more than 70% were interested in having something new to sell and discuss with customers. The current northern band of vendors totals some 250, many reliant on the income from sales and also very keen on the chance to interact with other people. That helps to rebuild confidence and self-esteem. Take Craig, a vendor living in a Manchester hostel, who came to The Big Issue in the North after losing his job and suffering from depression. After street-selling for eight months, a system which sees vendors buy copies for £1 each and sell them for £2, keeping the difference, he says: |
| The magazine has to be competitive and if people stopped buying it we'd all be out of work. Hopefully the new digital edition will reach a new audience. It's also a good move for vendors as the new cards are easier to carry around than the magazine. I hope the cards increase sales – that'll be good for everybody. | The magazine has to be competitive and if people stopped buying it we'd all be out of work. Hopefully the new digital edition will reach a new audience. It's also a good move for vendors as the new cards are easier to carry around than the magazine. I hope the cards increase sales – that'll be good for everybody. |
| If all goes well, the digital version will be rolled out across the north west and Yorkshire and the facility offered all 122 street papers in the INSP network. Funding has also come from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and through pro bono support from Grant Gibson of Herald & Times Group, David Craik of Bright Signals and 999 Design. | If all goes well, the digital version will be rolled out across the north west and Yorkshire and the facility offered all 122 street papers in the INSP network. Funding has also come from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and through pro bono support from Grant Gibson of Herald & Times Group, David Craik of Bright Signals and 999 Design. |
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