Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

 STRENGTHS:

• New technology has introduced new ways for the magazine industry to progress and take advantage of this to construct a magazine that offers a variety of articles that have been improved and made more interesting through other peoples blogging or written articles that can feature in the magazine. 
• I have interpreted "100 around the world gig blow outs " therefore social media has allowed me to get reviews across the globe. This new technology has allowed the magazine to develop and improve due to communications from the other side of the planet. The locations where my magazine will be published will be in one place therefore they cant get information on gigs in different areas across the globe and without this article are restricted to local reviews. 
• I used the programme 'InDesign' to create my magazine so that it makes the magazine look professional and has allowed me to create a magazine that looks similar to those in the industry already. The program also allowed me to make improvements to the front cover, contents page and double page spread so that they look more professional.
• Since constructing my student magazine i have learnt how to create a music magazine that further addresses magazine conventions through examinations of music magazines on the market. I have also improved from this by enhancing my knowledge on how to use 'InDesign'. This meant I was able to construct an appropriate product after learning how to correctly use the program 'InDesign'. 

WEAKNESSES: 

• New mergence of technology such as "blogger" means it is easy to access gig reviews online. Many students can find these on an iPod, smart phone, laptop, or iPad. This would mean that students are less inclined to purchase a magazine to read about something that is easily accessible online. Because of this I have not only included tag lines about gig reviews on the front I have also included that the content contains a variety of interviews and competitions as this is exclusive to the magazine and cant be found online. 
• The price could be seen as a problem to students due to their low income as my magazine is just over £2. However I have made it a monthly magazine as a weekly would mean spending more a month. I have also made a questionnaire asking my target audience whether they would be prepared to pay this a month and the majority said they would. 
• The majority of music magazines are known as 'glossy' just as mine is, however technology has aloud me to make a glossy magazine that stands out from the rest of them as it doesn't over crowd the page or look to busy. It also allowed me to confirm my target audience due to conventions and the elements I incorporated to appeal to my target audience and the 'mode of address'. Technology is very important to the publishing sector as it allows you to differentiate the difference between the genre of the magazine what target audience it appeals to and what reading age would be most suitable for the particular magazine. 

OPPORTUNITIES: 

• Due to new mergence of new technology, it has given me the opportunity to create a magazine that looks like a high class glossy magazine that follow all natural conventions of a high end magazine. InDesign also allows me to ounce again make my magazine as professional as i could. 
• By creating a new indie/rock magazine I have been allowed to change customers tastes and find a new target audience. I have made it to appeal solely to a younger generation, due to the connotations, sub titles and images especially to appeal to my target audience. 
• This was an opportunity to add sub headings and content that provides what the target audience specifically want. My sub heading of "100 gigs around the world" this allows technology to give around the world feedback. This means we can co-operate with people around the world, and use technology to interact. 
• With the mergence of new technology advances I can create other media aspects to coincide with my magazine. This could be a website or app for smartphones, iPods or iPads, furthermore I have included the website link on my front cover to show i have already been thinking about new media and how my magazine will adapt to the transformation in this industry leading to new opportunities for the magazine. 

THREATS:

• Not all of my target audience might take to my new magazine as it is high glossy and you don't receive anything from it other than the enjoyment of the magazine. This could be a put off as they like to have more for their money. 
• Another threat could be as new technologies begin to emerge many people can find things in a magazine for free online. Also they offer more and can be accessed more easy if it is on a smart phone, iPad or iPhone product compared to a magazine which is more inconvenient. Even though this can be seen as an opportunity if this does not relate to my magazine and the company it will become a competitive threat. 
• There is a large number of music magazines on the scene at the minuet, therefore it might be hard to choose mine over the others it must be even better. I have created something that should stand out of the crowd however it can still be seen as a similarity to other magazines due to the high glossy magazines following the connotations.