Issure 300 Railway Herald
 

So what do you think of the layout of the new Railway Herald on line?
I think it is a looks a lot better, easier to navigate and I like the fact that you can blow up any of the photos for a better look at them. I do wonder how long it will have 52 pages though.

Personally, I'm not finding it as easy to read. What I would like (as it was) is one full page at a time without having to scroll up and down to read.

It took me a lot longer to read issue 300 but that's because what was there is interesting. A good blend of old and new, British and foreign.

But will I pay for it in future ? I suppose £18 for 13 months is quite inexpensive these days, still got 3 more free ones to go before deciding.:D

Absolutely. The upright format (like a printed magazine) shows across a 2-page spread which is similar to the former horizontal format anyway, so why change it!

As it no longer seems to be 'saveable' to read later, I doubt whether many people will bother to pay for it - they've probably provided it free for too long so I reckon people would prefer to spend on a magazine from a shop that they can take anywhere.

There is an option to show one page at a time but with two columns you can't read each one without scrolling down, then up again for the second one.

Unless my page settings can be adjusted ?

Without being able to save it as a PDF file, it doesn't seem possible to open it in Adobe Acrobat which would provide various viewing options, so it seems like we're stuck with the on-screen player that it opens in with very limited controls - unless someone knows better? I'm not an expert in such matters!

The e-zine format is very clever but I'm not convinced it's a suitable medium for Railway Herald. I found it very hard to read and gave up trying before I was very far into it. I certainly won't be paying for it. Sorry RH, it's a thumbs down from me.

I had a look at it last night and also found it harder to read. So, even though there is far more content, I took less from it because I was skipping bits that I would no doubt have read in the old PDF format.

Maybe it is one of these things you have to get used to, so I'm willing to give it a few issues, but I'm not sure I'll end up forking out for it

I'm not entirely convinced by it yet. I used to like the old format. I'm looking into ways to save a copy at the moment. If I can make it work I may consider subscribing, don't know yet.

I've read Herald for Years but this latest version is not good

if you enlarge it to read easily then change page you have to repeat the procedure again for each double page spread
the default size is too small on a small screen (I'd hate to try to read it on a netbook)

In total it took twice as long to read it that an old copy and yes I also found I was skipping pages as well as some pages not opening at all

Add to that at the end of the month you have to pay for it not sure my Missuse will let me (being off sick / un-employed / disabled means money is TIGHT) even at 36p a week it is a reasonable price but it worries me that Ian Allen is getting involved (not sure why it just worries me) but I do feel that it is just a way for them to get on to the web cheaply

Now the site's down again. How long will it be before they figure out how to charge us for looking at the pictures?

Can't bring myself to look at Ian Allen's involvement as a good thing.

I always looked on The Railway Herald as a quick read to keep up to date between the printed magazines. This new, longer version takes too long to read and I am not sure that I will bother to subsribe.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Not sure if I like the new format and certainly dont want to pay for it

anyway - came across this link for another on-line mag - well worth a look

http://www.railtalkmagazine.co.uk/

John

Thank you for that John, I've signed up! Seems that its a monthly, not weekly, but not a problem, takes less time overall. Bye bye Railway Herald, it was nice while it lasted.

Regards, 62440.

There's 2 versions of this a European/ world one and a UK one as well

Thanks for the link, it seems like the ideal replacement.

Thanks for the link to Railtalk magazine, Robbo. Never seen this one before but I see it's on issue no.64! Lots of good pics, informed comment and something for everybody. Bye bye RH!

Don't like new format. Forever zooming to read; took some time to get used to moving around page. I will not be subscribing.

New Railway Herald
 

Agree with previous posts-takes far longer to read-spent more time zooming and navigating than reading,especially as could only do this on the mouse, not on my computer keys. Not being able to download it a major problem
(compulsive hoarder),certainly not worth paying for as it stands.
Thanks for the Railtalk tip,Robbo. Railway Herald-RIP

The new format is nowhere near as good as the old pdf file. But...I spend far too much of my time on the 'dark side' of the internet and as such I know how to do things that perhaps we're not supposed to. After a little work last night I now have issue 300 stored on my computer as a pdf. Much nicer.

Mischief managed.:)

Perhaps you could send me a private message on how to achieve such a thing; I've got 298 of the 299 previous issues stored in a file labelled 'Railway Herald', I like to check through things in my own good time - in the middle of March I'm off to Spain for the best part of three weeks, and this new format has effectively put the kybosh on me saving, or even SEEING, any of the issues emerging during that period. It's a pain in the a**e, to be honest, I fumbled around for some time, but just gave up in the end, it's more trouble than it's worth. A great shame, it was a quality product, but they just had to b*gg*r around with it, just to 'keep up to date'. I've never much liked PDFs to be honest, but they're simplicity personified compared to the new format. I certainly won't be subscribing - they've made it hard work, temporary, and very importantly, no longer quite as free as it appears.
Bah humbug. :mad::mad:

pm sent. Hope it helps.

Too many web designers think Flash is the way to go.
I dont like it, it uses up more bandwidth than pdfs, you cant save it for later and makes documents/magazines more difficult to read. Definitely not for me. I will not be subscribing to read any future issues either, I can do without more hassle.

I've just had an e-mail, as I assume all others who are registered with R H have, saying that future editions will be available in a PDF version alongside the new digital version

Yes I got the same one with a HUGE copyright notice at the bottom and in gushing terms saying how so many people LIKED the new format but because some people were experiencing difficulties they were putting a DOWNLOADABLE PDF on the site as well immediately

MY cynical brain says they are worried that so many people don't like the new format and they are not getting the subscriptions they expected (I never believe a gushing newsletter when they say they are getting more than expected YEAH RIGHT)

I was just going to post that, the pdf won't be available to read online but I can't see a problem with that. On the plus side, at least they listened to the complaints. :)

Edit. The picture viewing is also working properley as well.

Railtalk
 

The back issues are worth a look........:D

Railway Herald email
 

I got the (long) email-took me nearly as long to read it as issue 300!
They don't actually admit to getting it wrong,but surely bringing back PDF is
an admission in itself. I'll carry on reading it while it's free,but won't be
subscribing-prices only ever go up! Anyway,have checked out RailTalk,which is
just as good and free-thanks again,Robbo.
Off to reset my RH password now,apparently they've lost the lot-not having a
very good week,are they.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, Railway Herald's free period has been extended by four weeks.

Just found this & never heard of Railway Herald before but either way it seems a useful mag.

I wonder why ???:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Might be something to do with Ian Allen? They've just formed a partnership with Ian allen and a month later Ian Allen publishing are brought out by Key Publishing. What happens now?

Check out Railway Herald 305 cover photo-46233 finally in lined Brunswick green,the only colour for an express steam locomotive,and it also looks pretty good on a diesel. With Tornado now also properly dressed,things are looking up. Now,if they would just let them get a bit dirty......

On a slightly related note, does anyone have issue 113 that they could send me. The discs with 'all' the back issues up to 290 doesn't have it.

Hi Ken-ref issue 113,its not in the back issues web site either,but 112 is dated 7/12/07,
and 114 is 14/12/07,which suggests there is no 113-superstitious editor for that issue
perhaps? hth

Ok, thanks. I guess my quest is over. Never gave checking the dates a thought. I'll just go and sit in the corner for a while.