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Post by grahamthomson on Jan 29, 2011 14:28:27 GMT
Due to popular demand, especially from my friends overseas (AKA not in the UK), I have started making Digital Editions available of my Transformers fanzine. After some research and some help from my pal, Andy Turnbull, I've decided to use Pul.ly's services. They host the files, deal with the orders and automatic delivery of the Digital Editions. It should run quite smoothly! Digital Editions range in price from 59p to 79p. What low, low prices you say! All costs go towards hosting/delivery of the files and Mono-Paypal-opy do take a 3.4% + 20p cut as well. So we're just about breaking even. Four Back Issue Digital Editions are currently available: Polaris Magazine 16 Digital Edition / 28 pages (69p): pul.ly/b/14210Hubris 15 Digital Edition / 36 pages (79p): pul.ly/b/14212Hubris 14 Digital Edition / 24 pages (59p): pul.ly/b/14213Hubris 13 Digital Edition / 28 pages (59p): pul.ly/b/14214I hope that you'll have a look at these Digital Editions, especially if the shipping costs have put you off ordering the printed version. They are exactly the same as the print editions, just in PDF-format, and can be viewed on any modern computer. They also look awesome on the iPad! If you want to know more, you can either send me a PM on here, or email editor(@)polarismagazine.co.uk. Thanks!  |
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Jan 29, 2011 17:17:02 GMT
I've tested the delivery system on both my macbook and ipad. Very good and well worth it if space/overseas shipping costs are a bit much.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on Jan 30, 2011 10:47:42 GMT
Thanks for testing it out, Andy!
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Jan 30, 2011 10:57:55 GMT
No worries.
Nicely formatted for the Ipad, and you've done a good job with the compression of the files without affecting the quality of the art.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on Jan 30, 2011 11:01:58 GMT
Thanks! I only get 100 Mb storage with Pul.ly and the files for the actual printed fanzine is two thirds that, so to get the file sizes down is an art form in itself!
There have been a handful of Digital Editions sold over night and no complaints so far.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Jan 30, 2011 11:05:07 GMT
Good good.
Glad to hear it. I have a review of Polaris half done that I will finish later today inbetween other things and I shall pass comment on the digital delivery system.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on Jan 30, 2011 11:08:49 GMT
Ooh, I shall look forward to some feedback!
The problem I am finding with the humble fanzine, is that postage costs, especially overseas, are getting out of hand. Plus there's still no guarantee that they are going arrive in one piece.
Last year, I had sent some issues to Finland, and the empty envelope arrived, torn apart inside a clear Royal Mail plastic bag. Clearly Royal Mail had damaged the package before it left the UK, but sent it on its merry way anyway! And that was despite me putting the return address on the envelope!
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Jan 30, 2011 11:21:04 GMT
Yes it is getting a bit much to send overseas. Sent a chap G100 to Brazil and the postage was horrendous.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on Jan 30, 2011 12:22:06 GMT
It's enough to make a grown man cry.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Jan 30, 2011 12:23:08 GMT
Thankfully everything I have sent has turned up...at least so far.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on Feb 3, 2011 9:00:27 GMT
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Post by Kingoji on Feb 3, 2011 9:26:04 GMT
Not a problem. Had a couple of folks expressing interest, hopefully you'll get some custom out of them.
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Post by grahamthomson on Feb 3, 2011 20:42:35 GMT
I've since hijacked your journal comments and milked your good will for all that it was worth. It felt good.
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Post by Kingoji on Feb 3, 2011 21:55:41 GMT
I didn't reply in there, because I'm still reeling from the verbal abuse.
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Post by grahamthomson on Feb 3, 2011 22:06:59 GMT
I said things I can't take back. Things got out of hand.
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Post by grahamthomson on Apr 4, 2011 9:59:24 GMT
After some initial excitement the digital editions have died a death.
I am paid up with the Pul.ly service that handles hosting, bandwidth and delivery of the editions until the end of this month, but after that the digital editions will be no more.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Apr 4, 2011 13:55:04 GMT
A shame. I liked having my Polaris fix on the move.
Andy
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Post by blueshift on Apr 4, 2011 14:07:35 GMT
A shame. I liked having my Polaris fix on the move. Andy Do you have to use an expensive hosting service? Surely if demand is there but low, you could just do it all by hand, and then upgrade to hosting if neccessary |
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Post by grahamthomson on Apr 4, 2011 18:05:53 GMT
Both Andy and myself spent hours looking at all the options. Pul.ly seems to be the best for the most automated system of digital file delivery. (Outside of going through Apple, of course, but that would be ridiculously expensive!)
It was really just a trial. It hasn't worked out. It's not big deal really.
Ironically, each mention of the digital editions on the Polaris Newsletter prompts more subscriptions of the PRINT editions!
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Apr 5, 2011 12:03:31 GMT
Yeah.
We spent a few afternoons, looking around at what was being offered in terms of digital magazine/comic content that was bypassing the itunes/apple overlords. I think the fact that it is an unofficial product makes it a difficult sell.
Also it looks like out there, for digital pricing you are looking at throwing a lot of content out there at a relatively low price point.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on Apr 7, 2011 19:13:04 GMT
And this week, the price of using Royal Mail has jumped up considerably! It's now £1.09 to send a large letter over 100 g first class. Good grief!
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