"whats the big issue with a digital version?'
For me,, it's a few different things.
(1) I'm old school, and TOTALLY prefer a printed magazine to read, study, flip back & forth through the pages, and if I want to save an article,, I can put a tab marker on the page & go back to it whenever I wish. That that can be 10, 20, 30 years or more.
(2) I take a magazine with me in places it's NOT easy to try & carry a computer. Such as a deer stand as an example. I save a lot of magazines & a few books,, all year long to give me something to enjoy while sitting in a stand. ANY electronic device is NOT as easy to use in such situations.
(3) I'm "computer stupid" in that I have problems navigating the myriad CRAP,, that is USELESS to MY preferences because computer nerds seem to THINK that ALL of us are GLUED to an electronic device. They WANT us to use THEIR preferred method of communication. They are FORCING the use of THEIR type of communication upon many of us.
To go along with my being computer stupid,, I will say that in almost 34 years of Miss Penny & I being together,, the ONLY, and I'm dead serious,, the ONLY bad arguments where we were both angry & fighting was over her trying to teach me computer stuff. I'm a "hands on" and "plain english" type of person. I ask a question of "why?" and there are many things that can NOT be explained. Example; I see a task bar that says; "Send to" and I want to send something to another place. I click on the "send to" and I try & put it where it shows me a place (such as Documents) and it doesn't work. Apparently to do many of the things I want to do,, which SHOULD be a simple 2-click thing,, require the re-routing & a dozen clicks & places to get what I want done. So when I ask "Why?" Penny finally came up with the PERFECT answer to my question. She said; "Because Bill Gates & his computer nerds do it that way just to screw with you!"
But that is actually kinda true. For those nerds to keep a job,, they must constantly create & re-create stuff just to keep their jobs. Look at all the CONSTANT updates & such they forcefully install to allow us to continue using a device I paid for. Or,, even worse,, an "upgrade monthly fee" that allows them to have direct access to my banking account.
(4) I'm NOT glued to any digital device. I do NOT live by my phone, or computer. I actually have a LIFE & do things away from such devices.
A printed magazine is a form of freedom for me to easily choose what, where & when I wish to read it. I do not have to rely upon electricity or a battery to do it.
(5) If I want to have a printed copy of an article or whatever,, I will have to download & print it myself. THAT'S WHY I PAID FOR A SUBSCRIPTION!!!!!! To NOT have to print something myself. Plus,, to have a professional, slick paper copy will not happen on my equipment.
(6) I do displays of Ruger stuff. I use printed magazines to be part of my displays often. I can't display my computer.
(7) When I paid for my Life membership,, I was told; "You will get 12 months subscription to American Rifle MAGAZINE." I was NOT told; "You will get access to our digital computer based articles or whatever,, that we can remove or delete whenever we wish."
I'm no longer getting what I was told I would get.
I know I could add a few more reasons I prefer a printed magazine,, but I'll stop. You asked what was the big issue,, well, I've listed a few of my issues. I know many could care less. I know many prefer to live in a digital artificial world. I know many feel a printed magazine isn't their preferred method of reading stuff.
THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE for others. I have no problem with their preferences. But my preferences have been ignored & done away with.