I saw a comment on AA relating to Art Dudley's December column and I wanted to see what it said, so I started a digital subscription. AFTER I made my payment, I discovered that, depending on which part of the confirming email you read, it either takes 2 weeks or 6 to 8 weeks to start a subscription. Assuming the 6-8 weeks reference is really for print, that means it takes the Circ. Dept. two weeks to send me an email with the URL where I can download my first issue. That's very strange; it only took them 5 minutes to ding my charge card.

Does starting a new sub involve a monk creating an illuminated manuscript, tying it to a carrier pigeon's ankle, which then flies it cross country to a telegraph operator who transmits it to a Pony Express station, etc. etc. etc . . . ?

Mind-numbingly slow. I shoulda just sent Art an email and asked him what he said.