Digital confusion – I need a nurse!

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

I have posted here before on this problem but so far it is not resolved. I have a current print + digital sub and would like to view the archives.

I have no problem on my windows 10 PC but am unable to view on android tablet and phone.

If I select “magazines” on the website and Model Engineer I am presented with a page of coloured mag covers. When I tap any cover the screen greys and displays a message “Swipe your finger across the pages to browse the publication etc etc)” So I swipe NSE&W and what happens? Nothing! I am unable to view the issues of either ME or MEW.

This whilst logged into the website and on Samsung Galaxy tablet running Android 4.4.2. What am I doing wrong?

Rik

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

It is because you need Flash Player to view the archive. Android does not natively support Flash. You can download a different browser "Puffin" for example which has Flash built in. It does work but is rather slow.

John

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Thanks John – I have only recently renewed my subs after a break. Prior to that I never had a problem viewing on either tablet or phone.

Rik

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

As an aside, the popular browsers are making flash harder to get to and I believe there is an intent to stop supporting it at some point. It's claimed that flash is inherently insecure and buggy.

Perhaps this is something that the web team here need to think on in terms of replacing flash as the engine…

Iain

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

Posted by Iain Downs on 05/11/2017 09:38:36:

Perhaps this is something that the web team here need to think on in terms of replacing flash as the engine…

Iain

Yes, without doubt Flash is on the way out. Adobe have announced that they will no longer support Flash after 2020. The major browsers are advocating a move to Open Web Standards (HTML5) and are making the use of Flash more difficult.

This is what Mozilla are saying about ***Firefox*** and
Google about ***Chrome***

Even the BBC are slowly changing over to HTML5 for their video clips. Definitely time that Model Engineer / MyTime Media caught up!

John

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

If Johns comments are the reason I am unable to access the digital archive on both my android devices then would I be correct in assuming that MyTimeMedia are marketing a product unfit for purpose? If the answer is yes, then presumably I would be justified in requesting a refund of the digital part of my subscription.

What do the panel think?

Rik

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Rik Shaw on 05/11/2017 10:07:15:

…

would I be correct in assuming that MyTimeMedia are marketing a product unfit for purpose?…

What do the panel think?

Rik

Probably not yet. Arguably, it is your choice of Android that's incompatible. Nothing stops you accessing the archive with a PC or other compatible device.

Of course, MyTimeMedia would do well to take your complaint seriously. They have a problem too. Flash is on the way out, Androids and HTML5 are on the rise, and it won't be long before lots of people start complaining they can't read the archive. Like as not converting from Flash is going to be expensive, and there must many customers who will be incandescent when their much loved Windows-XP stops working. Whatever MyTimeMedia do, expect complaints…

Dave

 

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 05/11/2017 11:46:28

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

The system already uses both flash and html5. Mac users already get it in HTML5

We will be moving to HTML5 when the majority of our windows users are using browsers able to use it.

Neil

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

I think that most modern browsers will handle HTML5. It seems fairly pointless waiting for the dinosaurs using IE5 and IE6 to do anything

John

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Android has become the most popular operating system for online activity:

**LINK**

If MAC users already get it in HTML5 it shouldn't be too difficult to give it to Android users as well.

Russell

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 05/11/2017 16:39:35

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

I still can't get the archive on my tablet!

Rik

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Well I don't usually look at the archive on my android phone but tried it and got the same message you are getting Rik. So searched "flash for android" and Puffin came up so installed that as suggested by Journeyman and can now view the mag using that browser, took all of 60secs.

Edited By JasonB on 05/11/2017 20:56:24

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Ah, not that sort of nurse then.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

As a fully paid up Luddite, looks like I shall need to stick with hard copy, although that will probably mean paying even more. Can only just operate a PC, let alone a phone (too smart by far)

Where can I find a fast runner with a cleft stick?

Howard

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