If they were on the Internet or a CD like some others, there would be more time, thought, and associated input given to their formulation.
With a CD, they can easily be sold, reproduced, and drop shipped as the demand fluxuates.
"Some tradition unhampered by some progress" ( a variation by me)
The same(or even 1/2 of the) fee could be charged as a pre prelease for the rules(and the updates if made available during fall or early winter as well). Not to mention the cost being cut by at least 80% on all these sales, and mid year updates(addendums) could then be done before the following year(maybe even as an uploadable provision of the inital purchase?).
The amount of traditional bindings would still get sold for the most part as they will always be the prefered method of browsing the rules and records in the more common surroundings.
The digital version would be quick to get out and half the price at an increased profit.. all while causing the general membership's knowledge to increase, and the organization's bad mouthing to decrease.
I imagine the profit would even outwiegh the pirateers influence that some have used as an excuse against.
And here I always thought progress was the greatest tradition of them all?
Todd