Some heavily researched publications, like the New York Times, already make millions a year from electronic products. Others make peanuts. But whatever they earn from these databases is pure profit. But while bottom line is what it's all about, no publisher expects profits from Day One in a new print venture. Nor does any real publisher expect freebies when starting a print venture.
Electronic publishers pay everyone from their computer programmers to the electric company.
We don't charge download fees on our Web site. If we start charging, then we'll pay authors. Download fees are just one of several ways online publishers profit. They sell ads, products and services, and mailing lists. They gain increased paper subscriptions and general promotion of the magazine or newspaper.