Subscribers only

[VersabossParticipant @versaboss]

Hi gents,

after lurking here for a while I registered today as subscriber. I get both ME and MEW, and the subscriber number(s) are the same. However, when I go into the ‘back issues’ section, I see only MEW. According to some previous posts, there should also be a section for ME?

And if you wonder why: I am searching issue 4273 from 12. may 2006, which possibly never reached me. Neither MyHobbyStore nor another place known as supplier for back issues bothered to answer my e-mail inquiry 

Greetings to all,

Versaboss

Edited By Versaboss on 17/08/2009 22:28:11

[Michael GrayParticipant @michaelgray16785]

David,  I’ve finally kept an envelope that my ME came in.  It would appear that my subscriber number is:

 

   Deleted by moderator

through EWA Models and Magazines, in New Jersey, USA.

Any chance I can get into the “Subscribers Only” section now?

Pretty please.

regards,

Mike

Edited By David Clark 1 on 25/08/2009 09:07:16

[nodakerParticipant @nodaker]

David,

 

I am also a USA subscriber with issues regarding my subscriber number.  I receive both ME and MEW through EWA and would like to get access to the subscribers area. 

 

Any help would be truly appreciated.

 

John

[Fred MillerParticipant @fredmiller19582]

I along with other ‘OS’  MEW subscribers  can not not get into the subscribers section is the problem with Australia as well as US. Regards Fred. 

[Swarf MakerParticipant @swarfmaker85383]

Hello to all on this site.

 

This is my first (and perhaps only) posting!

 

I am somewhat incensed by the concept of making certain content only available to magazine subscribers. Whilst I understand that there is a potential commercial incentive for the publishers in promoting guaranteed sales, it is unreasonably divisive for the purchasing public.

 

Subscribers already pay a lower price and benefit from cover offers. Should they get more?

 

My lifestyle makes subscription impractical and I like to get my magazines from shops wherever I might be at publication time. As a newsagent purchaser I pay more and get less.

 

With a view to the future and an increasing demand for electronic publication, the publishers could simplify the access conditions for this site, obtain some additional income, and pave the way for those who may only want electronic copy in the future.

 

 Instead of locking content to magazine subscribers, make extra content available to website subscribers. In the first instance, some of the locked content might be free to those with sufficient interest to have set up an account. Other content in the future might attract a charge requiring subscription to the web content (which could still give a preferential rate to magazine subscribers if that were insisted upon by the publishers). Finally, this would pave the way for those wishing to subscribe to a magazine in purely electronic form.

 

The bottom line of what I have proposed is to segregate the use of the website from the mode of purchasing of a paper magazine. Does this make sense to others and satisfy the points already made in this thread?

[VersabossParticipant @versaboss]

Addendum to my posting from 17/08. The ‘other place’ I mentioned  was ‘The Tool Box Ltd.’ in Colyton, and I am pleased that I got an answer with an apology for the delay, and yes they have the issue I missed, and 2 days after my phone call saying ‘yes, send it please’ the gap in my collection is filled up!!!

Just a very satisfied customer…

Greetings, Versaboss

 

[Michael GrayParticipant @michaelgray16785]

A question.

Have any overseas subscribers, either through EWA in the States, or other distributors, been able to access the “subacribers only” section.

I did email MyHobbyStore and got a subscriber number, which I entered, still no joy.

Emailed Lorna again and the techie told her my sub. had expired, so I got EWA to email that my sub had NOT expired and giving all my details to MyHobbyStore.

Still haven’t got access.

What gives?

regards,  a patient Mike

Edited By Michael Gray on 02/09/2009 18:17:01

[VersabossParticipant @versaboss]

I would like to know if there are subscribers to both ME and MEW who can view back issues from both magazines? If yes, how can you switch from one to the other? I see only the MEW issues.

Greetings, Versaboss

[Mike TupperParticipant @miketupper58399]

Hi,

   in response to Versaboss.

Yes, as a subscriber to both, I can see ME & MEW. You move down the listing to scroll to the MEW. (The sub nos are the same and must be saved in both boxes on the details page.)

 

Regards,

Mike

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Hi David,

Absolute stroke of genius!

The online back issues are excellent. The digitised page turning sounds are totally un-necessary but add a touch of realism to reading an online magazine (note – not a criticism but a complement )

It would be great if you could add the earlier issues to the archive. Over the years of subscribing, |I have managed to obtain (through online auction sites) and at varying costs, most issues from around 40 onwards however, there seems to be a premium associated with the earlier magazines. This is unrealistic as this is not exactly a ‘collectors’ item and the information in these earlier magazines is as relevant to the hobby today as it was at the time of publishing. I am sure there are many like my who would like to read these earlier magazines purely from an interest viewpoint. Even if these were presented as scanned pdf’s, I am sure that subscribers would appreciate the content being made available.

I have seen comments relating to content being locked to subscribers only. I for one totally agree with this philosophy and would be agrieved if archive content were to be released to non-subscribers

regards  Graeme

 

 

 

 

 

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

I must plug my headphones in and listen to the pages turning.

I did not know it did that.

 

I expect early issues will eventually become available.

 

regards David

 

 

[dcostaParticipant @dcosta]

Hello David,

 

I’m a foreign subscriber (from Portugal) and when I try to enter the

back issues option, I am barred and receive  the message “Subscriber only content”.

I’m sure I am logged when I try and also that, after checking, my subscriber number is

correct.

 

Can You, please, help me?

 

As for the early issues of MEW available, in digital form, depending on the price, I may be

interested.

 

Best regards

Dias Costa

Edited By Dias Costa on 03/09/2009 20:09:48

[Ian AbbottParticipant @ianabbott31222]

I am very easy going on most things in life, but occasionally, a comment gets my goat.

 

Such as:   “… would be agrieved if archive content were to be released to non-subscribers.”

 

Does this writer assume that none subscribers get their issues _free_ from the newsagent?

 

Ian 

[Swarf MakerParticipant @swarfmaker85383]

This whole matter of favouring subscribers is totally wrong. As I have said once before, there are many of us for whom subscription to the paper magazine is not practical.

 

As newsagent buyers we pay more, get issues later and miss out on special offers. Now it seems we must miss out on archive and other useful information.

 

Will the publishers be restricting access to magazine subscribers that were not subscribers when the archive material was first published?

 

This is just a very poor commercial decision that has not been properly thought through.

 

Leave subscription to the paper product as is, with its current incentives. Make online access an independent subscription process.

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

As a subscriber, we have undertaken a commitment to the magazine whereas others are what I consider ‘ad-hoc’ purchasers. I have in the past existed in both camps and would be happy to accept that ad-hoc purchase would not entitle me to content that was available to those who choose to make a financial commitment in the longer term to the publication. I do however empathise with those who are not able to undertake such a commitment for whatever reason and agree that there may be justification for making the online content available through other subscription methods, however, if online subscription were to become available, it may, in the longer term jeapordise the future of the printed materiel, something which although an advocate of electronic media, I would prefer not to lose the hard copy dropping through my door on a regular basis

[VersabossParticipant @versaboss]

@Mike Tupper:

Thanks for the answer. In my case it unfortunately doesn’t work. I can see MEW down to #122, then a bit of white page and some ad’s to the end. Not that I really need them, as I have all in dead tree form, but nevertheless it is a bit disappointing.

Greetings, Versaboss

[Ian AbbottParticipant @ianabbott31222]

 Coal Burner states:  

“As a subscriber, we have undertaken a commitment to the magazine whereas others are what I consider ‘ad-hoc’ purchasers.”

 

I take it then that the 40 odd years of “ad hoc” newsagent purchased support of Model Engineer stacked in the corner, (worth, I reckon at current values to be about £2,500)  isn’t regarded as a “commitment”.

 

When CoalBurner has subscribed for 40 years, then I’ll regard him as having made a commitment.

 

Ian 

[Michael GrayParticipant @michaelgray16785]

Had an email from Lorna this a.m. and lo! and behold this North American subscriber (through EWA) now has access to the “subscribers only” area.  Whoopee!

Mike

Edited By Michael Gray on 04/09/2009 22:26:17

[Major DisasterParticipant @majordisaster]

I have been a subscriber since issue no. 2 (no.1 was bought off the shelf at WHS) and have recently renewed my subscription.

I seem to recall having to enter a subscription no. under ME for the site to let me in initially, not liking a blank entry.  I used my MEW no, which I obviously put in the MEW slot.

 

In any event, with or without the false ME number, the site refuses to let me into subsciber only and archive material under the ‘extra’ tab complaining that I have to be a subscriber.

 

Have I been blackballed already? 

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

You must fill in your name exactly as it says on the

grey envelope.

Even if it is spelt wrong.

regards david

The computer checks the name and subscription number against the subscription database.

regards David

 

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Over the years I have been an ad-hoc buyer, had regular orders with the local newsagent, one or two year subscriptions, and now have the automatic DD subscription.

 

The ad-hoc buyer requires to know that the magazine will be available on the shelf – not always done. In any case, and certainly now, means travelling in excess of 10 miles to get it.

 

The regular newsagent order did cause the occasional problem – missing issues, something which STILL happens today with the w/e papers.

 

The one or two year subscription got round the above problems, but requires renewal in good time. Therefore:

 

The DD subscription, for me, makes best sense.

 

Ok, the local newsagent is losing out, but why should I miss out just because the distributor makes a cock-up, or is too darned lazy to do the job right?

 

On the vexed question of subsription goodies or internet available content, the goodies question does sometimes rankle, but I can live with it, however the question of internet content, especially if downloadable quite frankly has to be a no-no for non-subscribers. After all, I’ve paid for mine. Why should they get it free? Indeed, I can’t really see any need for the internet content as I have my own referral scheme which relies on a database of articles which is updated once a month and to which I can refer in order to find whatever it is I am looking for. I have to say that all of you reading this obviously have computers, hence could just as easily make up your own database referral system.

 

Another idea which someone else has already referred to, would be to create your own electronic version of the mag – it doesn’t take long, and with today’s enormous hard disks can be easily stored.

 

As regards missing copies, there is always the public library, or Ebay, or even MyHobbyStore. Failing that, although there may be legal difficulties, an appeal via these forums for a particular article.

 

To sum up then, those of us who have paid should not be expected to see non-payers getting it for free.

 

Regards

 

Peter G. Shaw

[Ian AbbottParticipant @ianabbott31222]

Peter G. Shaw says

 ”…quite frankly has to be a no-no for non-subscribers. After all, I’ve paid for mine.”

 

So Peter, what exactly makes your money better, or worth more than the stuff paid to the newsagent?   In fact you pay less than them and arguably get better service.

 

Now a suggestion or two.  What about a scratch pad on the back cover of the magazine with a code valid for two or three weeks.   The argument that it could be used by others is the same as the fact that a subscriber could allow others to use their subscriber number, also, if nicked is good for a long time.

 

Frankly though, this problem as it is, is a none winner.   Some subscribers will always whine about not having preferential treatment and newsagent purchasers will feel miffed that they aren’t appreciated.

 

Solution.  Downloading from the web site should be by a separate subscription, no free downloads for either subscribers or ad hoc buyers.  If I want to build a Metro, paying a fee for website access to aquire the articles is reasonable.  Though moderately experienced modelers could build the loco from the plans given with the magazine alone.

Ian 

 

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Ian,

 

Your money is no better, or worse, than mine. OK, perhaps I wasn’t too clear there, but what is to stop someone buying one issue, and then downloading the rest?

 

I think I would agree with your “solution” as it certainly meets my objections. 

 

Regards,

 

Peter

[Ian AbbottParticipant @ianabbott31222]

Thanks Peter,

 

I think that this is in reality, mostly an academic problem as most of us would only download articles out of curiosity rather than for any real modeling purposes.  It’s way easier than thumbing through the pile of old issues, which I for one would have difficulty finding the time to do.  There’s about a thousand boxed up from the last move.

 

I did spend a month several years ago, scanning several construction articles so that I could print them out into single readable volumes.

 

Never did get around to reading them.  And recently, I put them out handy……. just in case I get a minute.

 

Ian 

[Major DisasterParticipant @majordisaster]

Posted by David Clark 1 on 17/09/2009 12:40:31:

Hi There

You must fill in your name exactly as it says on the

grey envelope. 

 

 

Oooooh!  It works.  Thanks Dave.

Having spent 17 years as a computer systems engineer, I should have known better.  Put it down to a senior moment..

[Author]

Posts