Dozy, for a regular church, that would print regular rags each month, I would agree totally with you. 

But the witnesses are so much different.  I can't see them wanting everybody have a computer.  I thnk they would really like to  BAN   computers for JW's. 

How much money does the rags make for them?   When we used to buy them, I think it was a profit, though small, for  Brooklyn.  Now that they are free,  I remember my mom told me that the society makes more money now, from donations at the door.   (but that was 10 years ago)     (also propaganda)

Maybe they think they can't squeeze any more money out of these people, and if they give the same amount, whether they hand them a paper copy, have them download them.           OR.....   

               How and why do these people get the tapes??     They are shut ins, and  somebody has to deliver them.   Taking up too much time, away from the  "real" preaching work.  Those people are already suckered in,  don't need to waste time, and they aren't giving money anyway,  They're sick!!!!   

That is generally but not totally true.  People are giving less and less for the
literature at the doors, but there is still some giving.  We cannot view it simply
from our own experiences.  Worldwide, many poor people feel good giving what
little they can to help others, even though they could use it, themselves.

Many developing countries probably do fairly well in contributing.  But for the
largest part, you are correct that the pressure will be placed on the rank and
file. 

District conventions are still huge cash-makers for the WTS.  That's where they
will put their efforts as the literature production is reduced.  They will try to
retain members and their children.  That will eventually fail and their numbers
will go down slowly.  The whole process will be slow.  They have much new
equipment for printing now, so they will keep printing as long as it works and
pays for itself.  Along the way, they will continue to reduce production to stretch
out the use of equipment.  I expect the online Kingdom Ministry to be a reality
in a short time. 

These are just all guesses, but a corporation doesn't produce things at a loss for
very long.  They must still be making money, but are trying to figure out how to
be more efficient and profitable. 

That's already happened. On the SM demos, of course everyone doing the demo always asks for a donation. At the door (at least in my experience), that rarely happens. The only time I ever asked is if I got stuck at the door with the CO. Usually, the only time I've received donations is when the householder would ask how much the rags are, I'd say, we leave them without cost but do accept donations, and they would generally give a buck for them. Out of say 1000 mags I've left with folks over the last 10 years, I'll bet I maybe got $20 total.

If the WTS was making any more on the mags, it would be because they pressure JWs to donate for the literature when they pick it up and then drop anything they receive in service in the box as well. But, that works on the assumption that JWs will donate the same amount (plus inflation) as they did when they "paid" for the literature. Having dealt with congregation books (mainly auditing) up until earlier this year, I don't think the funds sent to the WTS have increased since they went to strictly donations and when you take inflation into account, they've likely dropped.

Even though most of the r&f have computers, quite a large number of them do not have internet service - at least not the ones I have come across.  I could never fathom the wisdom of buying such an expensive piece of technology, and then not planning to use it to its fullest potential...but that's just my point of view. 

I read the letter on the K H noticeboard last Sunday, too bad that we were not early enough for me secretly photo copy it on their copier , then I would have posted it up.

It said what we expected, that audio versions will appear on line. The elders said that they now expect to make copies for the ones who would otherwise have subscribed to audio mags..At their own expense rather than The Society's expense