Virtual Aircraft Model Mags

[Vaughan]

Hi All

I was in WHSmith the other month and was thumbing through the scale modelling mags. One of them took my interest Model Airplane International.

This particular issue covered the build of the then new 1/32 Revell Arado 196. I had had my eye on this one but at the time my finances didn't stretch that far. More recently I bought the kit but of course that issue had gone. I took the web address off a recent issue and ordered a back copy which turned out to be no more expensive than the current issues. Whilst looking through the back issue I got to the back pages and there was the subscription ad but interestingly they were also offering the digital download version at half the price of the paper version.

I visited their website and subscribed for 12 issues for only £27.99 which works out at £2.33 an issue! you have the option of 12,6 or single issues. As with the paper version you get the issue the day it comes out. The presentation is very good the virtual mag can be thumbed through just like the real thing and you can zoom in to get a better view of pages. This option suits me better as in the past I have ended up with a pile of mags that sat on a shelf collecting dust and often I never referred to them again as it's was a pain to trawl through the lot just to find that one article you were looking for. In the long run this has got to be a better idea not only does it save space that you could display your model on but also helps to save trees and in turn saves the planet!. I would highly recommend trying this type of magazine.

Vaughan

[Ian M]

A very good and valid idea. One thing I might suggest. Keeping them. PC's have a bad habit of going tits up when you least expect it. the day before you back up for example! (ask me how I know).

I would suggest that you purchase an external hard drive. They are quite cheap these days and one that can store 1TB cost no more than a good kit. Down load them to your PC and copy them over to the Back up drive.

Then no matter what happens to you computer, You will always have them "on the library" so to speak.

I am now off to look at that link.

Ian M

[Vaughan]

Hi Ian

Thanks for your advice. The mags are store on their website by having an account and subscription you can access any time you want even on your iPhone or iPad there's an app for it and it syncs with your computer to.

I have had experiences with PC's going tits up so to speak and that's why I invested in an iMac and external hard drive which backs up every hour using Time Machine there is nothing worse than loosing all your photos music etc.

Vaughan

[Vaughan]

Hi Ian

I don't know if you had a chance to look at the link but here are some screen shots of one of the virtual mags

Vaughan

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[Guest]

Good find, was able to pick up a couple of old issues I've wanted for a while. Beware though, the iPad apps cost an extra £1.99 for each magazine! That caught me out, thinking that one app would do the job, but no they can earn more money by selling an app for each mag!

[Ian M]

Smart! So you don't even download them to your own PC. You are buying access so to speak.... Is it possible to down load them at all. I think it would be good to have a "local copy" on your own hard drive, especially if its a lap top. Then you can still read them or look something up even if you are away from a hot spot or your internet provider is down. And trust me that happens quite a bit here!!!!

I have had a look at the link and there are some good mags there. Roll on pay day!

Ian M

[Vaughan]

Hi Andrew

You can then buy the app for £1.99 which includes one virtual issue and within the app you can then purchase a subscription of 6/12 issues once you sync your iPhone or iPad you can go on the website and login and then view the issues on line or through you other devices. Hope that clears things up.

Vaughan

[Vaughan]

I'm not sure about that one Ian but there is a FAQ bit on the website that might tell you that info. Failing that you could try contacting them via email they are very helpful. I used one of my 12 credits to order the last issue

as the subscription doesn't start till the next issue available i.e next month. I emailed then on Saturday and within a hour they had adjusted my subscription and I was able to view that issue. I hope that helps

Vaughan

[Ian M]

Now the other day I said that PC's have a habit of dropping dead when you least expect it...My wifes PC died on us yesterday.We will take it in to the pc doctor up the road and get a verdict. I think it might just be the power supply.Ian M.

[Vaughan]

Hi Ian

You might have just talked that one up.

:emo10: Vaughan

[Guest]

Some info on this for anyone considering it.

I've looked at 'online mags' before, but as i'm not comfortable with the practise of sitting in front of a PC or laptop screen to read one i've never bothered. It's one of those things like i don't like reading a book on the PC, it's just not right yet i'll happily sit and read through lots of them on my Kindle.

I noticed the ad in last months AMW and it mentioned the Iphone app was on and there was to be an Android version, excellent i thought, having just recently treated myself to a 7" Android tablet (for travelling without lugging the laptop), this could be a good compromise on storage problems, I purchased the App and current issue a couple of days ago.

Just a quick 'how does it work' one

You buy and install the app, each app is specific to one BRAND of magazine, i.e. AMW=one app

You get the first issue 'free' with the app you're purchasing and it downloads and saves to your memory on the device so it can be read offline, subsequent issues are purchased through the app and are downloaded and stored accordingly.

They can, in addition, be 'viewed' online in your virtual library via any PC connected to the internet by logging into your account on the providers website.

So to clarify, you don't get an app per issue, just per magazine brand, if you want to purchase 2 different magazines you purchase 2 different apps and then purchase mags to be read via that same app subsequently.

All in all a very clever idea.

Now onto the 'shame about this' bit

Anyone with an Android device, be aware that the software is clearly on first release and appears to be buggy.

I have had the app frequently 'force close' with random errors regardless of battery charge, and other running apps, have tried it stripped down to the bare minimum, these errors aren't consistent they can occur when page turning, zooming or just reading the still image.

Also the double tap zoom function doesn't always work often zooming out instead of in.

I have a comic book reader, (same style and format as the AMW app), works fine, I also have Kindle reader and BN Nook reader, both of which again work fine so I know it's app related, not hardware.

In addition, i'll also say, a magazine on a 7" screen is simply not fun, forget it entirely if you're planning on trying to read it on an iphone or similar, 10" (ipad or similar), tablet would be the minimum which might allow it being read page by page in portrait format without having to zoom and scroll.

After a couple of days struggling with it and getting frustrated at having to restart to re-read bits i contacted the site for a return and refund which they say they have processed, i'll not be bothering again unless they release a software update to fix the problems and will be sticking with the paper version.

I find it quite funny too that one of the replies from the site was that they've not had any problems with the android app at all, given that it was only added to the android market that morning i'd say they're getting a bit carried away with that statement.