I don’t understand why non-subscribers have no access to all the content on this site. I buy Finescale Modeler at my local bookstore or newstands since the charter issue in spring 1982 and I’ve only missed one issue ,so I’m really disapointed, it’s not fair.
And I have to agree. At one point there was a code on the editorial page that would “unlock” the content, but that was a few years ago. If I lived in the US I would subscribe, but the cost per issue makes it more economical for me to buy at the LHS. So I support the magazine, but am unequal with subscribers. Two legs good, four legs bad!
I don’t understand requiring a subscription, since the website forums as well as the internet in general are a treasure trove of information…who needs the magazine.
Well, we do!
The simple fact is the magazine funds the website, ergo no magazine = no website.
I purchased a subscription for my brother for x-mas, and I buy every issue that comes out (gives me an excuse to head to the LHS). Still no entry for me, lol.
I don’t understand it either but anyway. When they had their last free site weekend thingy, believe me, I was downloading and saving like mad!!! Not to mention ALOT of stuff that they have labeled ‘subscribers only’ material, I downloaded and saved them long before they turned them that way. Truthfully, not much has changed in the article dept. in the stuff that interested me. My suggestion is to wait and see if they have another free site weekend, grab a six pack or 32oz coffee and make the puter your friend for several hours.[2cnts]
“We” being whom exactly? I’m hardly the only poster to question being charged for “premium” content.
Also, considering that they do get revenue from subscriptions they could have done a hell of a lot better job with the forum software upgrade. At the very least they could be more responsive to the many suggestions posted in the feedback forum (mine haven’t been acknowledged).
We, being the users of this forum. Without the revenue generated by the magazine, there wouldn’t be a forum for us to use.
The whole point of premium is that it costs more to get it! The first definition is the most pertinent (emphasis mine):
Face it, you aren’t charged anything to come to this website and use it. The information provided in the forums is free for the taking, yet it costs Kalmbach to provide that free forum. FSM offers “premium” content for people who subscribe to their magazine as an inducement to get people to subscribe to the magazine. The choice is simple, subscribe and receive the additional value, or don’t subscribe and don’t receive it.
If I had my way, I would have a code number in the magazine, so purchasers off the shelf can have limited access (like they USED to do), but the decision of the owners of this website have chosen a different path, which is their prerogative.
I chose not to re-up my subscription (which is my prerogative!), and when I made that decision it was knowing that I would not be able to access that content. Guess what? You and I don’t have a “right” to this website. Not even by subscribing! Some magazines don’t even have a website, let alone a forum. This is a gift from Kalmbach.
Whether or not they earn money from subscriptions is moot. That pays for the magazine. The website is offered for free on the internet and is financed by the sale of the magazine, some of which is from subscriptions. Some subscribers don’t come here at all, should they be charged less for the subscription? Some of the people who come here don’t even buy the magazine at the store. Why should they get the same access as a subscriber?
You AREN’T paying “extra” for something. You RECEIVE something “extra” if you subscribe. The operative word being SUBSCRIBE.
It depends on how you “subscribe” to the magazine! I BUY (I don’t steal them!) all ten issues from my LHS every year, not to mention the ‘Great Scale Modeling’ annual issues and all of the other special issues that come out. I won’t even mention the dozens of “How To” books I have bought and paid for from Kalmbach publishing in both this genre and Model Railroading magazine, but since I don’t “subscribe” by mail, I am considered second rate I guess. You can only be a purist by sitting by your mailbox waiting in the rain for your next issue to arrive. Heaven knows it is wrong to visit your LHS and support them by buying it there. Who knows? You might be able to check out those new kits that came out or stock up on other supplies while you’re there.
Also keep in mind that subscription fees and even the price paid at the newstand do not pay for the magazine! These only defray some of the costs of distribution. The real revenue is made from advertising!
I can understand that there would be those who are dishonest and not purchase the mag and use the code within to gain access to the “Subscriber only” areas. If they could come up with another solution, it would be great. I do spend $70+ every year and will continue to visit my LHS to pick up the latest issues! My choice!
I totally agree, as I said before I wish they still had the code. And I’m sure people did pass around the code.
The ONLY sure way to insure that only subscribers receive the content is to only let subscribers have access. That way you have an account number which can be tied to your login here on the website. Harsh, but true.
The reason the magazine wants subscriptions, rather than relying on off the shelf sales, is that advertising rates (and you are quite correct that advertising is the main income) is based on number of subscribers, not the number of magazines sold each month.
This is like being a card member at the grocery store. You could spend thousands of dollars at Safeway (for example), but unless you have a Safeway card, you don’t get the “special” discount price card carriers get. Are you second class? No, not really, that’s just a negative way to look at it. You just aren’t in the “club”!