New Digital version

[John Stevenson]

Anyone tried the new digital version that's featured at the top of the page?

I had a quick look but wasn't too impressed at the layout.
Some pages you can zoom other take you to web advert of the original page.

Can't see any way to print an article to take into the shop so looks like you have to buy both the printed version and the paper version ??

[macona]

The layout is not terrible, but I would expect if I was paying to read not to have a sticky advertisement stuck on the side of the page. Also I would expect to be able to print and save.

[dp]

I would expect a PDF that I can work with like I can a print copy - repro it, zoom in for details with a scanner, only using PDF-appropriate tools. There was no preview so I'm waiting for more reviews from early adopters. This isn't the kind of product you get much of a second chance at so I hope they didn't blow it by limiting the buyer's ability to manupulate the thing digitally. That's the whole purpose of digital.

[John Stevenson]

MEW changed horses mid stream by starting out with one viewer then changed to a lesser featured viewer later on.

Many accused them of bait and switch tactics and I firmly believe, that after talking to many at the shows , who had signed up, that they won't be renewing their subscriptions this year.

[George Bulliss]

Thanks for the comments. These comments pretty well echo the ones I have received through email. Displeasure with not being able to copy and save has been a common thread with everyone who has contacted me.

It hasn’t surprised me, as I followed the discussions about the MEW digital version and hoped to not make the same mistakes. I am only one voice though and I lost the fight over the right to download material. It’s a simple permission to change and I hope to allow it in the future, but it’s going to take time.

Keep the comments coming.

George

[macnewbie]

I'll echo the comments re: printing. Highly disappointed this is not enabled.

[RB211]

It is completely useless if you cannot download and print. Old school thinking in a new world, those that do not adapt lose out. The future of printed magazines delivered to your door is the same future all of the steam locomotive builders faced at the end of World War 2.
I can visit all of the forums and web pages to learn how to do something much more easily than to look through volumes of expensive magazines.
Magazines can no longer lock in content as the world wide web is taking over everything.

[John Stevenson]

The whole idea to me of the digital magazine is one I can have on my computer to read without having to track down the paper issue, usually when I'm away from base and my not have internet access.

I have seen various formats but the VP Digital machinist one is the worse one I have ever seen.

It need net access.
It can't save a page or print.
The scrolling is hopeless, I just went to read a page and some of it cannot be accessed it rolls under the background screen.

If I buy the paper edition I don't get a background screen.

The adverts are live links that take you to the advertisers page [ web access needed again ] but the web page you get isn't the advert you see so if you are interested in something that's advertised you may not be able to find it on their site.

Sorry but there is no way I'd sign up for this, it gives me a headache just trying to read the first few pages.

MEW came in for some flack but it streets in front of DM.

[keithmart]

Hi

Whilst I agree with all of the above comments, Why not produce a simple subscribable pdf subscription, to replace the paper version of the magazine and avoid the high cost of posting, particularly to 'foreign' subscribers.

I digitise all my paper magazines now, it is not difficult, and a dvd takes up far less room than a pile of paper!

It takes me some time, but as the copy produced for printing is invariably digital these days it is simple for the publishers to do it.

The copyright argument is invalid these days, as who has never passed magazines on to others to read, which would be the same as passing on a digital copy.

As long as the publisher can sell the original copy to the purchaser, and maintain a good reader base, where is the problem?

regards

Keith

Leeds UK

[MikeHenry]

Seems like I read somewhere that Village Press is primarily a printing business. If that's true, it's management may be resistant to the idea of electronic publication.

[Steelmaster]

I know of at least one magazine that offers a digital/online subscription, Fine Woodworking (Taunton Publishing-USA)

For about $US39 I get 12 months online access, not only to their current issue, but to each article in their archives.

As a paper copy on the newsstand in Oz costs about $A14, not only do I save a lot of money, but I get to see the current issue about 3 months before it appears on the newsstand.

Their articles are all downloadable in pdf format, so can be printed at will.

I wish all magazine publishers were as enlightened as this.

[kc5ezc]

I'll second what Steelmaster said. Tauton press has it together for digital press.
Also, ARRL has their QST mags online after 3 or 4 years. I no longer have to keep a shop wall full of Fine Wood Working and QST. If they can to it and stay in business, so can Village Press.
George, I understand that you don't run the train, but maybe we need to blow the whistle up some of Village Press's management and bring them into the 21st century of publishing.