Very disappointed with the digital app

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

I downloaded the new app for iPhone / iPad so that I could browse the magazine when out and about eg on flights etc.

You'll notice that it is advertised with the slogan "digital back issues now available in-app".

In fact, you can only download the current and future editions of your subscribed magazine. If you want to browse the back issues ie catch up on those editions you have been storing up for such an opportunity, you can forget it.

That's unless you don't mind paying $5 (3 quid presumably in the UK) PER ISSUE.

I've checked with MyTimeMedia who handle the service and this is what they intend – there's been no mistake.

So, although we've paid to access the digital archive, these lot want us to pay all over again. It's a nice app, well executed but trying to charge over again leaves a rather unpleasant taste in my mounth.

Thought I'd post my findings, as I'm sure I won't be the only one wondering if this is quite what they were expecting.

Muzzer

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

These are taken from a couple of Kate's replies in teh other thread about teh new subs packages, my bold .

"So your current subscription does not allow you to keep those back issues – you are just 'renting' these whilst you have a current subscription. The new digital editions that we have allow you to actually download and keep new issues of the magazine (from the issue available at the point that you upgrade), so you would still be able to read these issues even if you let your subscription lapse in the future."

"You would only be able to download issues from the point at which you upgrade. If you wish to buy any individual back issues downloads then these are available in the App Store/Google Play/Amazon (for Kindle Fire) dating back to September 2012. Individual digital issues can also be purchased"

I'm sure there are more but to me it was quite clear from the start that the new package would only allow download of issues from the point of the upgrade as part of the new package.

 

J

Edited By JasonB on 14/08/2013 07:39:32

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

This doesn't really make sense when the back numbers are available on the web based Online Archive free (if you have a current subscription)

Russell.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Russell Eberhardt on 14/08/2013 07:46:21:

This doesn't really make sense when the back numbers are available on the web based Online Archive free (if you have a current subscription)

Russell.

.

Russell and Muzzer

It appears to be a bit of careful Weasel-Wording

As things stand:

The recently renamed "Online Archive" is only accessible online, and only accessible to those with a current subscription [either "Digital" or "Print + Digital"]

The App allows you to locally store electronic copies of the magazines that you have bought. … but only the ones you have bought via the App. These might be your "subscription" copies, or the "digital back issues" that you have purchased in-App.

I think that's correct … But it is early, so I may have missed a trick.

MichaelG.

.

Edit:   for the avoidance of doubt, I have inserted "via the App"

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 14/08/2013 08:08:46

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

MichaelG

That's not quite right. All the digital editions downloaded onto the app since I installed the app are/were free and remain available. They may "expire" when my subscription runs out of course.

I installed the app about a month ago, so I have the latest 2 copies. You need to have an active subscription to do so (as I do) but it takes no account of the fact that my subscription dates back somewhat more than 2 months.

If I could be bothered, I could PDF back issues – but I am not really that motivated.

It's just irritating that you can access the archive without restriction online but it's actually asking for $6 per issue before the install date (I thought it was $5), which is stealing urine.

Muzzer

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Muzzer on 14/08/2013 08:57:37:

MichaelG

That's not quite right. All the digital editions downloaded onto the app since I installed the app are/were free and remain available. They may "expire" when my subscription runs out of course.

Muzzer

.

Thanks for the additional info, Muzzer

Now I'm a little confused … What "free" editions have you actually managed to download onto the app.

MichaelG.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Well, like I said, I've got the last 2 editions ie August and September. So far I've resisted the suggestion that I cough up $6 per issue for previous editions and it is likely to remain that way.

Once you install and register the app with your subscription details, from that point on you get any new editions as and when they come available. The obvious conclusion is that you should get it set up asap if you intend to make use of the app at a later date.

Muzzer

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hmm. I have a paper sub, and I'm qyuite happy to accept that it doesn't entitle me to free access to paper copies published before I took it out.

Similarly, downloading the latest Black Sabbath album doesn't mean you can expect the previous 19 or so for free!

The clunky online archive is a BONUS that I wan't expecting, and I rarely use it.

Neil

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 14/08/2013 20:49:34

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Not good IMO

Digital people received access because it was a historical archive built by 60 years of model engineers contributions

Pay your money, get access to a historical archive which was built up through thousands of hours of human effort

Rules changed unilaterally, no warning recieved

Go take a jump, I rule the world, suck on it

 

Goodwill gone forever IMO

Zero future contributions will be forthcoming from many people

Edited By Ady1 on 15/08/2013 01:14:06

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

The mutual benefit contract has been broken between ME and thousands of model engineers

August 2013

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Posted by Stub Mandrel on 14/08/2013 20:48:25:

Hmm. I have a paper sub, and I'm qyuite happy to accept that it doesn't entitle me to free access to paper copies published before I took it out.

…. and that's true in this case if you take out a sub from here on in – you get the digital copies from the time that you described and get charged for earlier issues.

The problem here is that they have brought in the PocketMags scheme part way through many people's subscriptions but only given access to copies from the date of the introduction of that scheme ….. i.e. not from the beginning of their subscription period.

I don't know if it's an unintended effect but the Pocket Mags app thinks that your subscription started when you signed up for the app and therefore defaults to charging for earlier issues (even though they may be within your actual subscription period).

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Just received my renewal notice for ME. It went in the bin. I MAY take out a digital only sub later IF I can be sure I won't have to use this ******* app – lost revenue for MTM.

Russell.

[Stephen BensonParticipant @stephenbenson75261]

Yes the whole digital thing could of been brilliant and a joy to use but its all gone for a burton I will not be renewing anytime soon.

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Seems a little too early to say, to me. The original digital access is still there – nothing has been taken away at this point. Something has been added which you may or may not like and which you can use or not as the case may be.

It's that original digital access (now called the "Archive"  )that I'm watching …. and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

(Extra spaces added before closing parentheses to pander to the stoopid editor)

Edited By Sid Herbage on 15/08/2013 14:14:36

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

> Digital people received access because it was a historical archive built by 60 years of model engineers contributions

Contributors get paid you know, even in the old days, and they need the magazine to be profitable to do that.

Personally I think they should commit to keeping the 'digital archive' alive for at least a few years as goodwill.

Neil

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