recently asked Kalmbach (Trains magazine) if their new Trains magazine collection (70 Years of Trains) coming out on DVDs would be compatible with e-readers such as the iPad (which I’m hoping to get for the holidays). They indicated that it was intended to be used on computers in order to utilize the multiple search and view options.
I’ve seen in this and other forums people indicating an interest in having various Kalmbach magazines available in digital format. My belief was that if it was available in digital format that it would also be viewable not only via a computer but also by using various e-readers.
I like the idea of having my collection of Trains (and Model Railroader) available in digital format, but am now considering the way in which I would want to view the digital information.
Personally I currently read my magazines either curled up in an easy chair or in bed just before going to sleep. I like the Model Railroad Hobbyist e-zine, but only read it while I’m sitting in front of my desktop computer. I’m finding that’s not conducive to leisurely, convenient reading. Yes, I also have a laptop, but don’t consider that a good option while reading in bed (the iPad/e-readers may not too, but they seem to be more book/magazine-like and able to be laid on the floor/nightstand).
Thoughts?
Thanks.
JCH
Woodbridge, Occoquan, & Western Rwy
For “Reading”, I want paper. For “Research” I want the full capabilities of a computer.
I do not have much experience with the electronic book devices, but from what little experience I do have I don’t think they marry the two presentation methods well.
Additionally, until authors, editors and layout artists can get the photos, illustrations and diagrams on the same page as the text that describes and refers to them, the electronic devices will never be good enough for even casual reading. With paper, one can bend/fold a page to reveal both the image and text in a way the e-devices just cannot simulate… As it is today, I would need at least two of the e-devices (maybe three) to be able to pleasurably read a magazine article…
“Referring to the photo on the frontispiece and the chart on page 15, in conjunction with the diagram that spans pages 71 and 72, we can easily follow this description of the operation of the widget as illustrated on pages 96, 102 and 131.”
I know people that have a terrible time with a mouse on the computer, but are wizzes with a touch-pad or trackball, but personally, I wish I could find a high-end laptop PC that does not waste space with a touch-pad as they are nothing but consternation for me. I am sure I could get better at the artistic swoop of my finger on the e-device screen to flip pages, but so far it is just not as easy as the practiced model does it in the advertisements on TV, so, again, PAPER is the preferred method of “thumbing through pages”. (Although, I did buy a book the other day where some artistic fool decided it would be fashionable to leave the outer edge of the pages ragged, resulting in NO WAY to flip through the book to find a particular passage of interest. I wish someone would shear the pages of that idiot’s personality to even them up!)
But there have been (and will be in the future) many times where I know I read something, SOMEWHERE! and I REALLY NEED a computer’s ability
I subscribe to the digital version of a weekly magazine. The main advantage for me is that the digital version is available for download on Saturday while the paper version would not arrive until the following Wednesday (I live in a rural area of the Great American Desert).
However, this is not as enviromentally friendly as you would think. More than half the time, I print an edition in order to read it away from my computer (a desktop). By weight, the paper consumed is far greater than that used by the magazine’s publisher.
Incidentially, I am still struggling with myself about buying all of the back issues of Trains on CD. It is something I think I would like but pricy. When those arrive – late November as I recall – posts concerning them would be welcomed.
I do look forward to have all the old copies in digital form for search / researsh needs on my computer; but, my recent hardcopies are in the Magazine Rack sitting in the bathroom that no Laptop/e-Reader will be residing
Get a Nook from Barnes and Nobel, the one around $150.00.
That one has Wi-Fi hook up, can download magazines, books, photos and newspapers.
Anything you can view on your computer you can down load to the Nook, either through the built in Wi-Fi or with a cord.The memory card that comes with it is 2G, you can but a 4G if you need to store that much…[:|]
I would recommend an I-Pad over a nook, if not for anything else but the support and compatibility you get.