Linn's & Scott Stamp Monthly - Online Review

While reading here today, I have seen a couple different threads mentioning philatelic news sources and publications. I gather that a lot of people here read Linn's, Scott's Stamp Monthly, or (as I do) both.

Even though I consider myself to be a "computer guy," I generally read the print editions and don't spend much time with the electronic versions. However, earlier this week, I did read the online versions and I'd like to share a few thoughts...

FIRST, I'm not trying to "sell" you a subscription to either publication and I have no financial interest, so I believe this post is within the rules and non-commercial.

NEGATIVES:
- Printing. This is my only real complaint. I have a nice laser printer, but I printed the same page about 7 times trying to tweak the margin settings. I never did get an "actual size" page with fonts and margins that exactly matched the print version I used for comparison. I suspect this may be to discourage people from printing entire issues -- I would not likely do that, but I could see myself printing an occasional hardcopy of an article or advertisement.

- Exporting. I realize there are intellectual property issues for the publisher, but it would be nice if the electronic issues were in PDF format (it would also help with print issues). Instead, they're embedded in a reader app that is active inside your web browser.

- MouseOvers. Web addresses, emails, etc in the print edition are hot links so the reader can click them and launch a browser. It sounds convenient, but on a few of the large and full-page ads, it interfered with my ability to scroll the page. When I did click one of the links, nothing happened, but that could have been because of the pop-up blocker in Firefox. I didn't spend much time trying to troubleshoot the issue.

- Tactile Feedback. Call me a relic, but there is something I miss about not holding the magazine in my hands. Maybe after a few issues, I wouldn't notice, but it seemed a little strange.

POSITIVES:
+ Readability. Both online publications are impressive. The font is clear and magnification is automatic - click once to zoom in, a second time to zoom back out to full page.

+ Speed. After the initial loading of the magazine which doesn't take long, the page loads are very quick.

+ Timeliness. There are two issues of Linn's available online that I haven't yet received via USPS.

+ Price. Or maybe that should be written as PRICE! You can subscribe to one year of the electronic editions of both Linn's and SSM for $9.99 USD -- significantly less than the print editions.

Finally, if you're curious, you can view a free sample issue to see if you're comfortable with the interface.

That's my $0.02 worth :-)
KirkS


P.S. As I proofread this before posting, I realize it does sound a bit like an advertisement. I apologize and I won't be offended if it needs to be edited or deleted by the moderator(s). --ks

Kirk, sounds like fine philatelic input to me !!

I still read the print edition of Linn's and rarely read the online edition.
I'm sure I will gradually convert to the online edition, though.

I'm not sure what you are doing wrong.

On the hot links you just have to make sure that you are on the turn the page arrow. That is just hand eye coordination but I have yet to fail to turn a page and hit a hot link. BTW the hot links are cool when you want to use them.

I don't print the pages because it is nice to have them stored on line. However I just printed page 1 & 2 from the Linn's and they came out perfect with no margin problems. I doubt I would print all 50 plus pages but pages 1 & 2 looks pretty nice.

I'm using a laser printer and just hit the print button. I'm not sure what your doing wrong but it may be your settings.

Oh and the price for me is free since I am a subscriber to SSM, it now comes as a free bonus. I can access both Linns and SSM.

Speed will really be subject to what type of PC people are using and the connection. For example a DSL connection and your set, a dial up and you might be there for awhile.

I'm a young 50 by 2 days and have been working paperless for over 5 years now so I don't miss the hard copy.

I think the bargain is to buy a subscription and get the on line of both Linns and SSM as a free bonus.

BTW thanks for posting I forgot that I didn't finish read Linns from last week. And welcome too.

I have also found the hot links to be a tad troublesome on a few occasions, but I like having them.

I also like to have paper in my hands because I spend so much time in front of a computer at work and I like the break. On the other hand, its nice to have the electronic version so I can sit at my desk and pretend like I'm working. It's hard to do that with a newspaper format publication!

For $10 there is not a better bargain in the philatelic world!

In fact, since the price has gone down so much, I'm going to subscribe to Meekles or something similar.

I am considering switching my subscription from print to online. The main reason for this is the savings. Plus it is good for the environment. I only have a week to decide since my subscription is expiring soon. Also, my APS dues are due at the same time. I really don't want to drop either because I do enjoy them both greatly.

I've discovered that since switching to the online subscription, I rarely read Linn's any more. Whereas I used to read almost every issue front to back, I know read a couple of pages from maybe one issue a month.

Until they improve their navigation system, it's going to continue to be a problem. Online is a great idea, they should have done it long ago. But if basically doing a pdf of the print edition, navigation is a huge pain in the neck. The search function is nice, but could be vastly improved.

There is something to be said about the printed word.