KitPlanes Magazine: Digital Edition Any Good?

RudiGreyling · #1 06-14-2006, 05:00 AM

Hi Guys,

I need to renew my Kitplanes Magazine Subscription. Living in South Africa the Digital Edition appeals to me, since I get it sooner, no 2 week waiting time for postage, lost mail, etc etc...

They do not have a sample to check out the digital format though...

Does anyone out here know if the Quality of the PDF format is just as good as the magazine format. Especially the pictures?

If you have a sample please send me a PrivateMail (PM).

Thank you,
Kind Regards
Rudi

flymustangs · #2 06-14-2006, 06:23 AM

Rudi,

I subscribe to the digitial version and I think it works just fine. The pdfs are just scanned images of the printed magazine.

AntiGravity · #3 06-14-2006, 01:35 PM

The only downside, from my personal perspective, is that each section is separate, so you have to download them individually. Some people might like this, since it means you only need to download the stuff you want to read. I'd prefer the whole mag in one go. I'd also like it if they simply emailed the whole mag PDF'd and it just appeared in my Inbox each month. I've asked, but I don't think they'll do it. Shame; that would be real handy. I guess the way they have it now forces me to go to their website and view advertising and stuff. I still love the digital edition though and it is cheaper than having the paper mag reserved for me at the local store. Faster too. Thanks.

BillyBob · #4 06-14-2006, 03:10 PM

In case they may happen to read this thread:

1. I agree with the comment on one file (pdf). My opinion is the digital magazine should be built exactly like the paper version. Do the articles in word or some other word processor that can be taken to pdf, and then assemble the magazine in digital form (as pdf) as a single file. Then use the real advantages the electronic version gives, (links, search, etc).

2. I don't agree that the price is OK. The electronic version should be less than the paper version, as there is no printing and/or distribution.

An example of a GOOD digital magazine is www.homepower.com

Just my .02 worth,
bc

jferraro17 · #5 06-14-2006, 04:02 PM

For those of you who get Kit Planes in the mail, does it survive the shipping okay? Mine used to come damaged every single time. Between my wife and I, we'd get 10-12 Mags a month, yet the KP was the only one damaged. Others were even printed on much lighter paper with no damage. I even called KP and pointed it out to them.

Just curious if it was just my postman or what. So frustrating, I didn't renew, and buy it at B & Noble now...that's $2 I could be putting towrds avionics every month!

Joe

fpeebles · #6 06-14-2006, 07:11 PM

I agree with the comment about the price. It is insane to think that the online version is more expensive.

Additionally I would like to be able to have both. That would be worth the additional money. Despite that it is one of my favorite reads. Especially enjoyed Dan Checkoway's series on Riveting. Just my $.02.

apatti · #7 06-14-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jferraro16

For those of you who get Kit Planes in the mail, does it survive the shipping okay? Mine used to come damaged every single time. Between my wife and I, we'd get 10-12 Mags a month, yet the KP was the only one damaged. Others were even printed on much lighter paper with no damage. I even called KP and pointed it out to them.

Just curious if it was just my postman or what. So frustrating, I didn't renew, and buy it at B & Noble now...that's $2 I could be putting towrds avionics every month!

Joe

I get Kitplanes and don't have any problems with delivery. Maybe one or two over 5 years, but nothing out of the ordinary.

KPmarc · #8 06-14-2006, 10:31 PM

Guys:

I really can't comment on the price structure of the digital version. In fact, it's a bit of an issue internally. Myself, I'd make it more affordable. But that's not my department. <weak grin>

As for the quality, these are not conventional scans of the printed magazine, but PDFs created from the page layout program, In Design. (We nixed Quark a year ago and haven't looked back.) So, depending upon the kind of day our printer is having, the PDFs might even look better than the printed version. You just never know.

--Marc @ Kitplanes

AntiGravity · #9 06-14-2006, 11:44 PM

Can you not do a single PDF version of the whole mag though?

RudiGreyling · #10 06-15-2006, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPmarc

Guys:
<SNIP>
As for the quality, these are not conventional scans of the printed magazine, but PDFs created from the page layout program, In Design. (We nixed Quark a year ago and haven't looked back.) So, depending upon the kind of day our printer is having, the PDFs might even look better than the printed version. You just never know.
--Marc @ Kitplanes

Thanks for the feedback guys, but I like to view a sample....

Marc, OR anyone else that have access can you please email me a sample PDF of an article review in a recent Kitplanes. (Just click on my user name to get my email address or send me a PM)

Thanks
Rudi