loss of bonsai focus magazine

We seem to have gone quiet at the moment so I thought I would ask what everyone thinks of the loss of Bonsai Focus magazine. The only English language magazine left. I think it is a real tragedy.

I remember a time where there was stores around the town full with different magazines and news papers. Every hobby from turf maintenance to RC helicopters was covered. Just grab a magazine and start a new hobby.

Those stores slowly dissapeared when internet forums arived. When one could get targeted expert advices for free there was no need for magazines. Obviously all the nish magazines whent out of business as well.

Now the internet forums is dieing totally. I have been told that all activity has moved to Facebook. I do not have it myself. But I have seen it a few times. Do not understand how it could happen. It do not have the benefits with searchability of forums.

Maybe with the forum death, by time there may be space for magazines again? At least online ones?

With that said, I have never read the magazine in the topic. TBH I was supriced to hear that there was a bonsai magazine still alive after 2010.

William Valavanis used to have an on-line magazine but that's stopped also.We apparently love to learn more from the so-called would-be bonsai artists than from the real specialists. I'm not saying it's all nonsense what is written here, but some restraint is recommended.
 
internationalbonsaionline.com/

a on-line version seems to be still available;
bonsaitoday.com/memberships/

Problem is I hate reading online. I find it very difficult to navigate pages. I have been given Bonsai Today subscription for the rest of the year as my subscription to Bonsai Focus had only just renewed, but there will as I understand it not be any new content, it is only old Bonsai Today and Bonsai Focus up to the November/December issue. I will certainly not be renewing it next year. 
It may be that Facebook has taken over most of the forums, I just hope this forum does not go that way,

This forum has already gone that way. I do not have the statistics. But I guess we are below 1% of the activity there was back in the days. And listning to Frank. That activity has no value because the information given is from the "so called would be bonsai artists".

And yes, the only persons here that tries to help beginners with advices is you and me, Jeff. we are that second class bonsai artists Frank is talking about.

Probably, yes, but we do try. At least the clubs I go to are going strong, I do all I can to help our beginners, we have quite a lot, and we run a course each year for beginners, so we are doing our bit
 

We do have an active club here as well. Not so many beginners, but lot of experienced bonsai artists. For me both fun and lots of things to learn. Unfortunattely I stoped pay members fees because I needed to get Facebook to be able to know when and where the meetings was. Now they have re-introduced a mailing list and I look forward to join again next year.

Most of the topics are from newby's, why is my bonsai dead etc.
There are less and less topics about trees, wich should be the main focus.
Once you have some experience , people may be reluctant to show there trees because (at least I'm) we feel the're not good enough.

I completely agree, Geoff. Bonsai Focus was such an important resource for English-speaking bonsai enthusiasts. Beyond just techniques, it shared inspiration, interviews, and showcased amazing collections from around the world. Its loss leaves a real gap in the community.Hopefully, this will motivate more online platforms and forums to step up and provide similar content, maybe even in a more interactive way. For now, sharing knowledge here and connecting with other hobbyists is more important than ever.

I have read Bonsai Focus since it was Bonsai Europe and before that. The platform they have of Bonsai Today and Bonsai Focus is only past material, so we will not be getting any new. The cost is almost the same as the subscription for the magazine, so there is no way I will pay that. I get the BCI magazine, but that is only quarterly, and not really European. As much as anything it is what is happening and what shows are on etc., Maybe we could start a list here.