[net.misc] How do you read a magazine - survey results

dir@cbosgd.UUCP (Dean Radin) (02/15/84)

Results of "How do you read a magazine?" survey.

The questions were:  Do you read a magazine front to back, back to 
front, or at random?  And why do you do what you do?  I asked just 
out of curiosity since I know people who use both methods.

I received 33 responses from January 6 -> February 15th.
There were three general responses:

14 people said they primarily read back to front (BF).
10 said they primarily read front to back (FB).
 9 said there was no primary method -- it depends on the material.

As to why they do this, most BF-types said they found it easier to turn 
the pages back to front, or that the information they liked to read was 
generally in the back.  Most FB-types indicated they like to read straight 
through in front-back order.  And most DEPEND-types said they look at the 
contents and go directly to a story, or dip into a magazine at random, 
or read books FB and other materials BF.

My favorite response was from a DEPEND-type, who said he read Playboy 
"centerfold to back, then front to centerfold." Now there's someone 
who knows his priorities!

Dean Radin - AT&T Bell Laboratories - cbosgd!dir