Radio Bygones magazine - pdf issues

[Robert Darwent]

I've been subscribing to the downloadable pdf version of Radio Bygones magazine for a few years now. Recently, and without warning, the powers that be have discontinued the pdf version in favour of an online version via the Pocket Mags website.

I only became aware of the situation via a thread on UKVRR here;

http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showt...hp?t=91730

and the subsequent link to the EPE/Radio Bygones Chat Zone thread;

http://www.chatzones.co.uk/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=1633&post=48278#POST48278

I tried to register with the Chat Zone forum in order to ask appropriate questions in the above thread, but was refused due to my email domain being 'gmail.com'! I was asked to enter another but alternative addresses I have are also with Gmail.

I renewed my 12 month subscription at the October 2012 issue, leaving me with 5 of the 6 bi-monthly issues to be fulfilled with 'apparently' no simple way of of that happening now.

Does anyone else have a pdf subscription to the magazine and has found a way around the problems?

I have emailled the magazine for further advice and am currently awaiting a reply.

Regards

[Yorkie]

I've subscribed to the paper version for many years as I much prefer an actual magazine (as I do catalogues or books), but storage becomes a problem and I was thinking about going to the online version. I've also been a member of the EPE Chat Zone for some years, and see from there that they've now put an FAQ on their website here:

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/360425361278?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&cbt=y

That seems to answer many of the concerns expressed, and to clear some misunderstandings, such as "can I permanently store back copies on my PC and print off pages later?" (Yes).

From what I've seen on the Chat Zone, EPE seem not to have handled this at all well, but some of the posts on there seem to be generating more heat than light.

A bit odd that you can't use GMail to access the site..

A great shame that Bygones and EPE (first mag to offer an online option to help worlwide readers by obviating mail delays and postal costs) should fall victim to pirating and be forced into this action, which could easily put it out of business. As it is, much more hassle must make Mike Kenward and Alan Winstanley wonder whether it's worthwhile to carry on or just chuck the towel in.

I can't see how the actions they've taken will stop piracy via file sharing sites. Surely anyone so determined could print off and scan pages, just as could anyone with a hard copy?

Hope you soon get sorted to your satisfaction Robert.

[Joe]

Eh, David, that link's to a sewing machine bobbin-filler tyre on e-Bay. Have you been at the Christmas Spirit?

I think suspicion of GMail e-mail accounts is part of the security concerns as anybody can set one up under any name they choose.

As for printing and then scanning for nefarious purposes you don't even need to do that as you can 'print' straight to a PDF. As usual, the security inconveniences the decent folk and the crooks just find ways 'round it.

- Joe

[AlanBeckett]

Nevertheless it's a very useful link

Alan

[Yorkie]

Oh dear, I thought I'd copied the correct link, but still had a previous link stored, which I inadveretnly posted. It was totally irrelevant but was to try to help someone who needed a rubber ring to fit to a gramophone needle honer. I can't claim inebriation as mitigation for writing nonnsense - just old age and mental feebleness!

Here is the correct link:

http://www.epe-magazine.co.uk/buy-epe-online.html

For anyone who may be unable to access the site, here's a clip of the most relevant FAQs, which seems to addresss key concerns expressed on the Chat Zone by on-line subcribers to Bygones:

Quote:

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to questions readers have asked recently about our new PocketMags edition:

Q1. How do I download a PDF version as I have always done in the past?
A. The new system does not use PDFs, but relies on an Internet connection to view it online instead. It's compatible with several platforms. At the current time you can also try the Offline Reader for Windows - available from the PocketMags website. It lets you download your copy onto your computer, and read and print pages later, without an Internet connection. Note that at present the Offline reader is a Beta version; Pocketmags welcomes user feedback.

Q2. Is this for online reading only or for download as well? Will this be the future forum to purchase via?
A. You can read it offline on a Windows PC - see the answer above. PocketMags is now the site hosting the digital issue of EPE.

Q3. I assume that all of the digital copies I purchase will be available to me forever, so that if I want to refer to an article that was published five years ago it will still be available online?
A. Yes, purchased copies will always be available. You can delete and re-download again magazines held in your account. There is no longer a need to back them up. Rest assured we know that readers are passionate about their magazine collection and should anything ever change with PocketMags we will take any necessary steps to make sure readers will still have access to their copies.

End quote.

[AlanBeckett]

I'm not a Subscriber, but I have downloaded the odd interesting Issue.
That seams very tortuous.

Alan

[Robert Darwent]

Thanks for the replies.

I've already found and read the FAQ's and it all sounds very simple to continue to access issues doesn't it. Trouble is if you search for Radio Bygones magazine on the Pocket Mags site it isn't even listed, EPE is, but not RB! So how do you select an issue to view online?

The offline reader also sounds simple as well doesn't it. Again, trouble is it requires a minimum of Service Pack 3 on my XP system and even then insists on version 4 of NET Framework as well. Of course my computers only have Service Pack 2 installed at present. Even if you do all that is required to use the reader it is a Beta version and many users are reporting it crashes their system or slows it considerably (10 to 20 seconds to turn a page!) and have been forced to remove it. A great deal of 'faffing' around in order to use a second rate document reader!

I'm in the situation of having been sent 6 download links for each of the 2013 issues when they become available that now link to 404 error messages. The FAQ's page seems only to be interested in new subscriptions and not to cater for those that like myself have already took out a subscription already.

Since posting my initial message I have received a brief reply direct from Alan Winstanley in which he states; "Pdfs are currently being prepared for Radio Bygones legacy subscriptions, this is work in progress. I have forwarded your mail to the office, there should be no difficulty if you contact them direct by Email for a response." So I will have to wait and see what happens I suppose.

However, this entire situation has been very poorly handled from the point of view of existing subscribers in my opinion. Issues with piracy aside, that is no reason to alienate legitimate long standing readers to the point of cancelling their subscriptions, which is what is happening if you read a lot of the responses in the thread on the Chat Zone forum. At the very least a simple email sent to each current subscriber explaining the change and information on what they need to do to continue to receive the magazine would have minimised all of this inconvenience.

Regards

[Yorkie]

What a dreadful mess Robert. The whole business seems to have come like a bolt from the blue. It's hard to see how the transition couldn't have been achieved in a controlled manner, taking the readership along with them. It would be interesting to know how many online subscribers there are. Certainly many overseas subscribers would find it impossibly expensive and untimely to buy the paper copy of the mag.

I do hope that this upset doesn't affect the magazine's viability and that the problems can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction, but based on your own experiences, it's not looking good just now. Not a good omen for EPE/RB in 2013.

[Robert Darwent]

Today I received the December 2012 issue of RB as a pdf attachment to an email from Steve Kearn at Wimborne Publishing. He states that all the further issues I have subscribed to will be sent the same way as they become available.

In an earlier email he replied to my initial questions about the transfer to the Pocketmags website instead of downloadable pdf links by saying;

"The RB online hasn’t been discontinued we have just moved it from the US back to the UK. You will be able to get the issues of RB online that you have subscribed to, it will be sent to you via a zipped up file to the email address we have on our records."

Which sought of goes against what has already been said in the Chat Zones thread. But anyhow, all well and good - I'm happy to receive the pdf!

Can't help wondering though what happens when my subscription runs out, will I then be forced down the Pocketmags route? If that is the case I think I will pay the extra for a proper paper magazine subscription and avoid the hassle.

Regards