Whether we buy a magazine at a newsstand, or subscribe for mail
delivery, we expect advertising which consumes up to 50% of the space
(and weight).  Even the venerable Consumers Union magazine, which
"accepts no advertising", uses a lot of space to run ads for their own
publications.  Why? To make money, which pays for research, writing and
publication.

_Good_ ads are at least not obnoxious, and can be entertaining.  Within
the Mechanical Music Digest I enjoy reading the chatty "advertisements"
submitted by Brian Chesters, and I appreciate the market prices which
Marty Roenigk shares with us.  I would purchase a pair of fringed brass
lamps for my pumper piano if the price were lower (much lower!).  On the
other hand, I'm bored with lists of old piano rolls.

I'm anticipating the day when Jody can no longer publish a free Digest.
Golly, Jody might even _pay_ contributors for noteworthy feature
articles!  Most likely I'll happily pay a small monthly fee in return
for the reading pleasure I receive.  And, as in a newsstand or mailed
magazine, I will tolerate the advertising which will reduce _my_ cost.

Hopefully the ads will be informative -- maybe even entertaining!

Robbie Rhodes