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I promised Jestre in the comments below our Digital Subscriptions FAQs that I’d check out how the June issue looks on the iPad. So when I got home, I downloaded the issue directly to my iPad, and was able to read it, no problem – though the navigation wasn’t ideal (I had to scroll down through the pages rather than going right to the page I wanted).
But after importing into iBooks, I’m sold (metaphorically speaking…I admit that I got it free). It looks great, I can navigate by page across the bottom of the device, or can I go to a 6-up view for an overview of a section, then click on the page I want, and there it is in full color.
But one thing I didn’t think of, that we’ll try to implement in time for the next issue (and it was a really bone-headed thing to overlook, I’m ashamed to say), is to hotlink the Online Extras page noted at the end of every story, so you could simply click on it, and have your reader take you right to (in this case) the /jun11 page.
Honestly though, I don’t know enough about the various types of eReaders. I’m familiar with the iPad, and I’ve used a Kindle (which I don’t think will work for an image-heavy book/magazine). So, if we provide (semi)enhanced PDFs for future issues, will those be of value to non iPad eReaders? I know they’d work on a computer. Let me know what you think – this is a work in progress, and I want it to work well for you. So if we can do things to make it better (within our time, talent and software constraints) we will.
p.s. Did you know we also sell single-issue PDF versions of the magazines (in case, say, you’re missing the first cover project I built, in February 2008…with a lot of help from Glen Huey). And, we even sell single story PDF downloads (you might want to build Glen’s Pennsylvania Blanket Chest RIGHT NOW and don’t have time to dig through your magazines – or your Boy Scout needs a birdhouse plan and it has to be done by morning).
p.p.s. So I’m writing this blog post on a MacBook about a product I looked at on my iPad and the pictures were taken with my iPhone (while the iPad was on my lap…and apparently I have shaky knees – sorry!). I think Apple owes me a free iTunes download.
