In theory the internet has largely dispensed with the need to buy hard copy newspapers, magazine and books – or has it? This is a topic of much debate. All the information we need is available, freely or chargeable, on the internet such as UK Net Guide and yet there is no sign of the decease of hard copy publications.

It is true that hard copy companies have had to adapt. Many now have online publications as well as producing their print versions. Certainly all the newspaper and most of the magazines have followed this trend. This causes extra expenses, certainly, but some sites have chargeable premium sections and another alternative revenue stream is advertising.

And yet, even with all this information freely available on the internet, many people still prefer to have a hard copy printed version in front of them. It is easier to read and it is what our eyes – and our brain – is used to.

As long as a media company has the ability to adapt and evolve to the digital age, by appealing to online viewers as well as hard copy viewers, they should be able to survive and even prosper.

Maybe at some stage in the future we will change our habits, as we have done so many times in the past, and start to prefer online versions, but at the moment there is no danger of hard copy disappearing altogether.