Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boat Links => Topic started by: GG on February 06, 2009, 09:38:23 pm
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I wrote about an idea to increase the "steam effect" in a model steam boat by adding glycol into the boiler feed water in the March 08 Issue of Model Boats. The idea came from "fog juice" used in commercial fog machines as widely employed in entertainment and theatrical areas.
Someone posted a comment that I had claimed that glycol would act as a lubricant in the steam engine. I hadn't and so rejoined the MB forum to post a rebuttal. The claim was withdrawn after the claimant bothered to read the article but later they came back with several dubious (in my oppinion that is) reasons why you should never add glycol to a model steam plants feed water. I took some time to compose a reply which was posted and....
Yes, you might have guessed it, when I log on to the MB website I can see my post BUT it does not seem to appear for anyone else.
Be warned, if you annoy the "Secret Censor" on this site then he will try to kid you that your comments are posted for all to see but they are not!
You guys ought to appreciate what a good site Mayhem is, I do.
Glynn Guest
http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/ (http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/)
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I can see no post's by you on that thread to confirm your coments..
Thought there was only 1 mod on that site !!
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Don't be too quick to suspect foul play. Although not immediately apparent, the MB website has recently been rebuilt from scratch as the people who originally supported it no longer do so. Although it looks very similar it's not underneath and there are continuing bugs and glitches which have still to be resolved. Other people have experienced the same problem as Glynn so I don't think he is being necessarily got at.
Obviously the sooner it is sorted out the better.
Colin
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I may be able shed a bit of light on this, one member of the MB site spit (prolific poster) spit his dummy out at the new site and removed all his posts, and pictures , as he has to post on anything and everything it left the site looking stupid , i got on to the mod suggesting that they use the same system of posting (after a time its locked) but got no feed back..I stopped using it for that reason.
Proteus
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Compared to this, that site is rubbish......
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Compared to this, that site is rubbish......
Never a better word said..(although I think Rubbish is a bit harsh) All credit must go to Martin, his team , and of course all the contributors to this site.
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Visiting the MB website is like entering a derelict church. You are conscious of what it was built to achieve, but there's nothing there worth seeing now.
Any moderator who annoys GG is doomed! :o
FLJ
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FLJ, you are wicked, I knew there must be a reason for liking you.
If I put myself up for membership of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, will you act as my refere?
The Long Build, I do not lie, anything posted by me is a result of prior thought, if not substantiated by recognised facts or personal experience I will make it clear its just an opinion.
I've just been on the MB website and my post is still missing YET the thread shows the last posting to be mine of the 5 Feb.
Long live Mayhem
Glynn Guest
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Hi all...........I do not subscribe to the MB site ....but just getting back to the original [underlying] question or comment....by GG.... >>:-(
In our Paddleducks site we have explored the usage of differing boiler water qualities ...from our OZ Murray river sludge, plain tap water, distilled water & to that BADDIE....de-ionized water & debated the same
The only consensis was not to use the latter [de-ionized water] as it has the electrolytic potential to literally draw the zinc from brass tubing micro structure & hence ultimately rendering a reduction of wall thickness by erosion & subsequent porosity - we also considered the elevated risk/effect of thinning at tube bends & the direction of flow etc
So my question is.....why would we want or need to introduce a contaminate [glycol...of any of the two X 2 families] which would created miscibility issues <*< at the boiling point of water?......regards Derek
Sorry....one of our Moderators may move this to a new subject under 'steam'..+..'boiler water'
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Paul Freshney has contacted me as a Mayhem Moderator to express his concern about some of the comments on this topic. He informs me he has emailed Glynn to say that he knows of no secret censorship on the MB website to remove Glynn's post. He feel that the posts made are both derogatory to Model Boats and unjustified.
As I regularly write for the magazine it would be invidious for me to moderate this topic so I have referred Paul's comments to other members of the Moderating board for consideration.
Anyone visiting the MB site will be aware that it is still experiencing problems following the recent rewrite and there is a three page topic on the subject with moderator participation. I would therefore be more inclined to put Glynn's problem down to a software glitch rather than an attempt to censor one of the magazine's most popular contributors! Doesn't sound likely does it? I understand that the new management is currently considering the position of the website following the change of ownership so we may see some changes in the future.
On a more general note and in the light of other people jumping on the bandwagon it is not normally the practice of Mayhem to run down other websites and we don't like it on the few occasions that it has been done to us. Also, we take a pretty firm line on unjustified comments about model boat traders and FLJ quite rightly is red hot on picking up on what he feels are any unjustified aspersions cast upon his own business.... %)
Colin
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I had no intention of casting aspersions in the direction of Model Boats magazine or the MB website as a whole. Indeed, if I thought ill of the publication then we wouldn't spend as much as we do placing adverts in it. (At least they get the right ads in the right issue ok2).
My remarks were made solely with regard to the MB Forum; mea culpa for not making that clear. My sincere apologies to Paul F if I've upset him, but I didn't appreciate that he had any connection with the Forum. With the constant corporate changes involved at MB/Magicalia/My Hobby Store it's hard to keep up with which bit of the empire does what, and who is responsible for it.
As Tobyker remarked to me a while ago, what an extraordinary community we have on the Mayhem Forum. Maybe that's what's missing from the other one?
Suit yourselves.
FLJ
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FLJ, the MB forum is inevitably associated with the magazine and the comments on here impinge upon that which is why Paul is concerned although he has no direct managerial responsibility for either the website or its forum. That situation may change shortly which some might view as an improvement. The company changes you refer to have left the MB forum hanging in the air, neither fish nor fowl and insufficiently supported which is one of the reasons for the problems it is currently experiencing. This is also something that is being looked at. I think it is a case of "watch this space" and be patient for the moment.
Colin
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Dear All,
My intention with the original post was to point out that I had experienced a form of censorship (for the second time actually) on the Model Boats web site. To be honest something which lets you think you have posted a response to criticisms against you or your ideas, but PREVENTS ANYONE ELSE seeing them is, I feel, hard to agree with. The reference to "secret censor" could apply to equally well to a person or some routine within the website program.
I also felt is best to create a record of my attempts to answer the criticisms on the MB website rather than let people think I was unable to do so. Perhaps I should have posted my comments on adding glycol to boiler feedwater on this site? No, that would have been too weird even for me to do.
I have nothing but the highest regard for the magazine Model Boats (well I would say that wouldn't I) but I also appreciate Marine Modelling. Looking at other offerings from around the world and I feel we are lucky, no VERY lucky to have two monthly magazines of such quality in this country. If I have given anybody any different ideas then I must unreservedly apologise.
Now, having hopefully done a better job than Clarckson, Ross, Brand and Thatcher, I will go to the MB website and see if I can post anything.
Glynn Guest
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Nope! I can still log on, think I've posted but no one else can see what I write!
I'd believe it was a technical glitch but others seem to be able to post
Glynn Guest
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Strange that the thread shows as 13 replies but there are only 6 I could see.. and nothing showing since the 3rd , Wonder if some auto checking / approval has been turned on, saying that I can see my post on it.. very peculiar.
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Whatever the problem is, as Paul has already explained to Glynn, it won't be fixed over the weekend as there is nobody on duty on the MB website. As paid employees they keep office hours unlike Mayhem moderators who provide a 24 hour voluntary service for free. :-)) Quite honestly, with all the other things going on over there I don't think fixing their Forum glitches has a very high priority just now!
Incidentally, we have had the occasional similar problem on Mayhem where individuals have been locked out of a specific topic for no apparent reason, it's happened to me a couple of times so who knows what goes on in the dark recesses of the software?
Colin
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Could be a new episode for the Twilight Zone here.. :}
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Yes, What lies Beneath?! :o
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Topic renamed. :-)
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I just had to reply to this question being a bit of a webmaster geek myself!
Many forums including the modelboats one operate on a database (usually MySQL to be exact!) and when a user submits a new post a new row is created in that database which includes the post itself, an ID number, the author of the post, the time it was submitted and the status of the post. ie. whether it is live, deleted, pending, archived or whatever else. The database is much like microsoft excel and has different columns with each variable.
It looks to me like your post has been created ok, but the moderators may have deleted it (therefore changed its status). If they have got some bugs in the system still then it's possible the database query's are not filtering out the deleted posts properly when it comes to showing you the "Latest Post" as it were.
The same thing can be said for just showing you the post and nobody else. On my website I have had a lot of trouble with people spamming it, and the only way to overcome this is to make full use of the post status column in the database. Everytime somebody submits something to the website now it wont show up straight away although it is still in the database for me to accept or deny the post accordingly. What I do plan on doing some time soon though is to make that post visible to that particular member only until it is confirmed by me, then of course it will be visible to everybody.
I hope this explain a little of the theory behind things! Nothing really gets deleted from databases, webmasters usually choose not to delete rows, just to hide them on the of chance that it may need to be restored at a later time.
Fireboat :-)
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Thanks Fireboat, given that the MB Forum may not have an active webmaster at the moment that may explain a lot.
Colin
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With all these problemas and a bad name to boot, is it not time that MB cancelled their forum as a bad idea??
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Fireboat,
Thanks for the description of how a website works. I might have believed that it is all an accident but one of the site members who can apparently post (the Fat Controller no less!) states that my posts have been deleted. I guess he must know what he is talking about.
Footski,
Please do not confuse the website with the magazine. With some effort I'm sure the website can be turned around. The magazine has survived decades and must represent a treasure trove of material for our hobby. Surely this Country would welcome another good model boating website?
Glynn Guest
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But if there is no webmaster at the moment, and hasn't been for a while then who is doing it? looks like The Long Build has the right idea.
Spooky! :o
Colin
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Fireboat,
Thanks for the description of how a website works. I might have believed that it is all an accident but one of the site members who can apparently post (the Fat Controller no less!) states that my posts have been deleted. I guess he must know what he is talking about.
Footski,
Please do not confuse the website with the magazine. With some effort I'm sure the website can be turned around. The magazine has survived decades and must represent a treasure trove of material for our hobby. Surely this Country would welcome another good model boating website?
Glynn Guest
Glynn,
I am a long standing fan of the magazine, but have always found the web site to be very poor and the forum just as bad so I stopped using it. It is a shame that the two cannot be good, but after all this time and with problems on the rise, I can see no future for the forum or the website.....That is just my opinion though and I do love the magazine..
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Footski, I am hopeful that we will see improvements before too long.
Colin
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I've just revisited the MB website. It seems that other topics are also experiencing problems with posts not showing up tonight so it does indeed look as if there is a software problem given that no moderators are on the Forum at the moment. Conspiracy Theory 0; Cock Up 1. QED!
Colin
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I have just been on the MB forum. There seams to be a lot of thread hijacking .Is this normal on that forum.
John
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I have just been on the MB forum. There seams to be a lot of thread hijacking .Is this normal on that forum.
John
Hi John
Thread hijacking is normal in any forum. It often just happens because the conversation drifts.
Other times it happens because some posters are a bit self serving.
One of the roles of the moderators on Mayhem is to prevent this.
On the Model Boat Mayhen site this is often achieved by splitting the topic or, if the topic morphs, changing the title.
If people do hijack a thread we may send a PM and ask them not to do this, if needed.
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Mr. Glynn Guest's posts are not the only ones missing, I find it strange the why only some posts disappeared and not others, all my posts on the Glycol issue are missing, as well as those in Current & upcoming issues. They would do better to delete everything and start again, It reflects poorly on a good magazine.
Regards,
Gerald
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In Vbulletin there is an option called "chudley goes to Coventry" which means that that members posts are visible only to himself and not to anyone else. In practice it means that his account is automatically placed on the ignore list of every member of the site. It does look like someone has used a similar PHP script to that in this case.
The only other option would be if they had edited your account to make every post of yours go to the moderation queue , that means they don't show up to anyone ( usually not even to yourself but different PHP based forums work in different ways ). If they had deleted posts then these would NOT show up to anyone except moderators/admin.
I have used the Model Boats forum for a while but haven't posted much as its pretty quiet and , to be absolutely honest , I can't see how the site keeps going as compared to the other modeling sites online it is almost unused.
Moderating a forum or website is not easy and it can be all too easy for things done accidentally ( system errors , admin or moderators clicking the wrong option , etc ) to snowball into all out flame wars between members and the site operators. It is a fine line between getting it right and getting it wrong. The only way that a site prospers is if you have a comprehensive Acceptable User Guidelines in place and make sure that everyone ( members , moderators and admin ) stick to them. There needs to be a system where people know what is acceptable and what is not.
When a member breaks a rule then the first thing to normally happens is a PM/Email warning with a note kept of what happened and more importantly when it happened ( we ignore things that happened more than 3 months previously if it was a first offence on Trawlerphotos ) , a second offence within the 3 months should mean a formal warning again with a 3 month period after which this lapses , a third offence within the time would mean a 7-14 day suspension from the site ( we keep a note of this "Red Card" for 6 months after the end of the suspension period ) and if there is a 4rth break of the rules within the note keeping period for the red card then permanent removal.
We do , reluctantly , remove people permanently for a first offence if the post is racist , seriously abusive , etc and that must always be an option for admin only ( if no admin on then a moderator should suspend for 24hrs and alert admin ).
Just thought you'd appreciate how things are normally done on a lot of sites thats all guys
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That's basically the same as we do here on Mayhem Davie.
I've leant the hard way, burning my fingers many times. :embarrassed:
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It can be very annoying at times Martin when people ignore the rules , we have a system when a new member registers the account has to be accepted by Admin before being allowed to post and there is a system generate PM message welcoming them to the site and telling them to read the acceptable use guidelines. It was put in place after a few people claimed not to know about the rules...........
I just thought that the members would appreciate how things normally work and that the MBM forum doesn't seem to operate to the norms...
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We are extremely fortunate in this country that we have TWO very good magazines covering the various disciplines of our hobby together with their respective forums.
In the USA, the RADIO CONTROL BOAT MODELER magazine has been pulled by AirAge but leaving its forum on line. In future boating related matters will be published in the company's RC Car magazine.
It does make me wonder though that we have these magazines in the UK with their forums PLUS Mayhem. I would have thought that it made far more sense for both of the UK magazine publishers to put their weight behind the independent Mayhem forum to save themselves money and to draw the attention of everyone world wide to their publication. Surely it is cheaper to advertise than to spend on running forums etc. or is it "prestige" to say that they have a forum for their readers?
For myself, it is nice to see that names such as Glynn Guest do look at this forum (....wonder if any of the now redundant US contributors will appear on Mayhem).
I believe that ONE good forum is better than several mediocre ones.
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Totally agree BJ , it makes far more sense for the publisher to back a well run and very well supported site like mayhem with advertising than to try and make their own forum when they really don't have the system working nor the support to make it work properly.
We are lucky to have 2 monthly model boats magazines ( for how much longer though is anyones guess ) compared to other countries. I have seen other publications doing absolutely the wrong thing as well. The International Fishing News was £5.40 a month in December 2008 and its now £9.50.... for the same size and amount of pages... The same publishers also took one of the best Fishing boat reference annuals ( Fishing Vessels of Britain and Ireland ) and took it from an A4 hardback with photos of all sizes of boats from 9.5m to 144m with a review of all new boats , port round-ups etc , and changed it to an A5 paperback no under 10m photos , inaccurate details about the boats with inaccurate photos , no port round-ups no review of the year or new boats .... then upped the price to £75 from £65..............
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At the risk of going off on a tangent and breaking the rules so fresh in my mind, I wonder if 'the internet' is the enemy of a published monthly?
A magazine is a un-democratic collection of articles and adverts where you're only voice is by their letters page, you have to pay for it, news is a month or more behind, yet you can read a mag on a bus and the content is generally proofed and professional.
The internet is free, timely, has roughly the same content (only more so). In fact, the internet has no bounds and you're only constraind by what you place in the acress bar of a browser.
If I want to ask a question, I find a forum and post it online. I search the internet for images, I look at fora? for advertisers and shops to buy things. Enthusiast guys place their own sites up on specific, small interest topics, guys will write their own articles on their builds... how can a magazine beat that? And it's free content just as good as what I'd buy monthly.
I've just returned to the hobby (sort of) and I've not felt the need to buy a mag yet and the MB someone give me sits next to me unread.
I don't know what going on in the boardrooms of publications but I can foretell the direction they'll go. It's down with steadily decreasing readership until they move online with a subscription or advertising based magazine.
However, what will a gent read in the dentists waiting room? (a polite way of saying the loo! :-)) Please don't jump on my head, I only ask a question. I saw this with other specialist areas (magazines)
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You've done it now TCC! - You've uttered the words publishers dare not speak!
Have you noticed that van that's just pulled up outside your house and the guys in black suits, dark glasses and
talking into their wrists..... they're the MB/MMI Quantanamo Bay Department! It was nice knowing you TCC.
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You've done it now TCC! - You've uttered the words publishers dare not speak!
Have you noticed that van that's just pulled up outside your house and the guys in black suits, dark glasses and
talking into their wrists..... they're the MB/MMI Quantanamo Bay Department! It was nice knowing you TCC.
I thought they were from you for side-tracking the thread (again)! :-)
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At the risk of going off on a tangent and breaking the rules so fresh in my mind, I wonder if 'the internet' is the enemy of a published monthly?
A magazine is a un-democratic collection of articles and adverts where you're only voice is by their letters page, you have to pay for it, news is a month or more behind, yet you can read a mag on a bus and the content is generally proofed and professional.
The internet is free, timely, has roughly the same content (only more so). In fact, the internet has no bounds and you're only constraind by what you place in the acress bar of a browser.
If I want to ask a question, I find a forum and post it online. I search the internet for images, I look at fora? for advertisers and shops to buy things. Enthusiast guys place their own sites up on specific, small interest topics, guys will write their own articles on their builds... how can a magazine beat that? And it's free content just as good as what I'd buy monthly.
I've just returned to the hobby (sort of) and I've not felt the need to buy a mag yet and the MB someone give me sits next to me unread.
I don't know what going on in the boardrooms of publications but I can foretell the direction they'll go. It's down with steadily decreasing readership until they move online with a subscription or advertising based magazine.
However, what will a gent read in the dentists waiting room? (a polite way of saying the loo! :-)) Please don't jump on my head, I only ask a question. I saw this with other specialist areas (magazines)
Whilst I don't necessarily disagree with your sentiments .Ask the question why do modelers like the magazines? Sites such as this, which I enjoy immensely and magazines which I enjoy reading are intrinsically similar but quite different in the way information is gathered and disseminated. They can and do co-exist. To use the word "undemocratic" sounds a shade political. When I receive any magazine, I'm not interested whether it's democratic, only the information with in the pages. Same as a book, which the author has spent time and effort to research its contents and deliver by, enlarge accurate information. We still buy books, in fact we buy more than ever .To suggest that one medium is better than the other by what ever virtue is missing the point. People like what they like and if it brings enjoyment and information then so be it.
Bowwave
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I thought they were from you for side-tracking the thread (again)! Happy#
Naaa, the 'heavies' from Mayhem, come round, break your door down and say; "Oooo! What you building there?"
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For the information of Mayhem Members who joined more than 18 months ago:
Mayhem does now send all new Members a "Welcome Message" which they will normally receive within 24 hrs. of joining. It draws their attention to the Mayhem Rules (providing a link) and tells them something of the Mayhem ethos. Many messages are adapted to present a truly welcoming and personal approach. We decided not to create it automatically so it could be personalised.
I know this because it is one of the Moderators tasks which I perform, behind the scenes.
Roger in France
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At the risk of going off on a tangent and breaking the rules so fresh in my mind, I wonder if 'the internet' is the enemy of a published monthly?
A magazine is a un-democratic collection of articles and adverts where you're only voice is by their letters page, you have to pay for it, news is a month or more behind, yet you can read a mag on a bus and the content is generally proofed and professional.
The internet is free, timely, has roughly the same content (only more so). In fact, the internet has no bounds and you're only constraind by what you place in the acress bar of a browser.
If I want to ask a question, I find a forum and post it online. I search the internet for images, I look at fora? for advertisers and shops to buy things. Enthusiast guys place their own sites up on specific, small interest topics, guys will write their own articles on their builds... how can a magazine beat that? And it's free content just as good as what I'd buy monthly.
I've just returned to the hobby (sort of) and I've not felt the need to buy a mag yet and the MB someone give me sits next to me unread.
I don't know what going on in the boardrooms of publications but I can foretell the direction they'll go. It's down with steadily decreasing readership until they move online with a subscription or advertising based magazine.
However, what will a gent read in the dentists waiting room? (a polite way of saying the loo! :-)) Please don't jump on my head, I only ask a question. I saw this with other specialist areas (magazines)
Whilst I don't necessarily disagree with your sentiments .Ask the question why do modelers like the magazines? Sites such as this, which I enjoy immensely and magazines which I enjoy reading are intrinsically similar but quite different in the way information is gathered and disseminated. They can and do co-exist. To use the word "undemocratic" sounds a shade political. When I receive any magazine, I'm not interested whether it's democratic, only the information with in the pages. Same as a book, which the author has spent time and effort to research its contents and deliver by, enlarge accurate information. We still buy books, in fact we buy more than ever .To suggest that one medium is better than the other by what ever virtue is missing the point. People like what they like and if it brings enjoyment and information then so be it.
Bowwave
Bowave, undemocratic in that in a forum, I can speak my mind and hold sway to anyone who cares to listen... a magazine is all one way... and the other way... they talk, you read. So it's that sense of the word, not political. And it's not just fora where 'I have my say', I've button-holed many a web-author in my time. :-) So I see the internet as a great freedom-giver and leveller in that I have access to.. anyone, really as e-mail is so quick and easy.
Right and that's where I'll stop as such a torrent of un-thought-about thoughts has made me feel ligtheaded and I'm off to sleep it off. :-)
And I'd agree that mag readership is just as lively as ever... I've never seen an empty WHS aisle. :-)
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Mr. Colin Bishop is now in charge if the Model Boats Website, hopefully with this change the site will improve. I have noticed that most of the missing posts have reappeared.
Regards,
Gerald.
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I am indeed and the missing posts have been restored. I have posted a statement of intent regarding future moderation on the Model Boats forum which I hope will reassure their members.
It will take a little while for me to get my feet "under the table" so to speak so don't expect any major immediate changes.
I would like to say that the Model Boats forum and website exists to support the magazine and I do not envisage it as being in any way in competition to Mayhem.
However, in the circumstances I have agreed with Martin that it would be inappropriate for me to continue as a Mayhem Moderator although I intend to continue to participate as an ordinary member of this unique site, long may it continue to prosper.
Colin
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Colin
Good Luck with your new venture
Brian
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Indeed! The Arch Bishop was/is a huge asset to this site and has has a massive influence for good
on this Forum. Model Boats forum is in good hands. http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/ (http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/)
Martin.
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I must pass on my congratulations and thanks to Colin, who as a Moderator has always tried to steer a straight and understanding path. Best of luck with the MB site Colin.
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All the best Colin in the new venture I'm sure it will be a success O0
Bowwave
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I must pass on my congratulations and thanks to Colin, who as a Moderator has always tried to steer a straight and understanding path. Best of luck with the MB site Colin.
Hear hear
Guy
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Martin has kindly given me permission to plug the Model Boats Website.
As many of you will be aware, I have been appointed Web Editor of the site from earlier this month. As has been apparent from some of the earlier posts on Mayhem it has, for various reasons, been rather neglected of late! I have therefore been busy in sorting things out a bit and I think you will find that things have improved although there is still some more work to do.
What Mayhem members may find particularly interesting is the Articles Database which contains many of the best items published in Model Boats over the last year or so. I have revamped the Article categories which, together with the comprehensive search facility, should make it a lot easier to find what you are looking for. Obviously we are not putting every article in there as otherwise there would be no point in buying the magazine(!) but I think people will find that there is enough material available to be pretty useful all the same, kit reviews especially. A selection of further articles will be added every month and I will also be publishing the contents of the next issue just as soon as the information is available.
Paul Freshney and I will be discussing plans to make various goodies available in the future so I think you will find it worthwhile popping in regularly for a look to see what's on offer.
Hope to see you there at: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
Colin
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The difference is certainly noticeable, Colin. You've made some some inroads there. Will I have enough time to cover it all. :-))
ken
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MPBA Information Leaflets
The MPBA have published a series of leaflets on various legal matters associated with model boating, including boiler testing, insurance, child protection law and health and safety etc. Lost of useful practical information and I have scanned them into albums which you can access from a link on the Model Boats site homepage: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
Colin
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Now a pleasure to read through :-)) :-))
R,
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The publishers of Model Boats are keen to add some additional content on the website for subscribers to the magazine. All sensible and practical suggestions welcome.
See: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=30199
Colin
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Following the closure of the Photo Competition, Model Boats now has a free draw for a copy of the Tug Book by M.J. Gaston on their website - If you are a tug lover then check it out.
http://www.modelboats.co.uk/competitions/
Colin
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There is now a very interesting new feature on the Model Boats Website!
Along the top of the page you will now see an extra heading labelled "Subscriber Extra".
If you are a subscriber to the magazine it gives you access to page turning software which lets you browse through all copies of the magazine dating back to January 2007.
If you are not a subscriber then there is a sample issue which you can view to see what you are missing!
The software has a word search facility which operates on the text in the magazines so if you are looking for that article you remember seeing a couple of years back then this is a very quick way to find it. You can zoom in on the magazine contents and jump from page to page plus there are various other features to try out. It's clever stuff!
So have a look at it and I would be very interested to have your feedback.
Colin
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Colin
I think this feature is excellent.
Do you have any plans to archive further back than 2007?
Best wishes
Jules
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Jules,
I have asked about that. It is possible that January 2007 was when the magazine went properly "digital" - I think the feature is based on PDF files. When I get a reply I will post the answer.
Colin
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It would be great if it worked I'm sure, every time I try to enter it says there isn't a subscriber number associated with my account but when I go to my profile there it is >>:-( {:-{
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It would be great if it worked I'm sure, every time I try to enter it says there isn't a subscriber number associated with my account but when I go to my profile there it is >>:-( {:-{
Mine does that , I know you should not have to but if you tab over the number and press save it then works again !!
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OK I'll try that, thanks
no it still doesn't work <:(
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I've just tried it and it worked fine when I put my subscriber number in. If anything changes I'll let you know. In the meantime I think it is a brilliant facility and works really well. Even the page turning and zoom abilities work well and actually made reading the magazines very easy.
The only thing I could think of to improve it would be to have a direct access to a particular page without having to turn every page, unless I've missed that bit!!
If pre '07 mags were not digital then you would only need someone to scan each magazine and convert them to a .pdf file. Shouldn't take you too long Colin!! {-)
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Hi All.
I have been a reader of both mag's for years and I was disappointed when the MB forum started to fail but it did not stop me from buying both mags (along with various foregin mags). I find that the forums are a different form of assistance and help also very informative when a question is asked. The answer might not always be to your liking but I think that almost allways the answers are meant to be of help. The "MAYHEM" forum is at the moment the best of any I have read or asked for advise from.
I wish Colin all the best in his new venture and I know the MB forum can only benefit from his help and the knowledge he has derived from his past participation on this forum.
Maybe a better understanding will come from this and there will be no more snide remarks to either side.
pomybill from "The Land Downunder".
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I have to say this new subscriber feature is brilliant, well done to all at MB mag for coming up the idea. The whole web site has come on leaps and bounds as well, congratulations Colin and keep up the stirling work you are doing. :-))
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Hi
As any one got this month model Boats mag yet as I subscribe to it, and I usual get a week before the shops.
Thanks DaveW
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Havent got mine yet. {:-{
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Mine came today :-))
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Hi
We my have to have a look at it when they put it on the model boat fourm subscriber feature .
Thanks Davew
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I got mine today. There was a slight delay due to the Bank Holiday and that the delivey date is squeezed this month to make space for the Autumn Special issue.
There is a problem with Subscriber Access for some people at the moment, This is due to a technical fault which is being worked on.
Colin
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Hi
Colin why is model boats mag is in w h smiths in essex and i am in essex .
Thanks Davew
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Believe that there are issues with the post at the moment in areas around the UK.
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Yes, I believe there have been distribution problerms this month. The magazine is due in the shops tomorrow, 4th September. If not then shortly afterwards.
Colin
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Hi
Colin you have not read my last post.
Davew
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Dave, the retail distribution and subscription mailing systems are quite different. If you are expecting yours through the post then hopefully you will get it tomorrow assuming that your area is not affected by Post Office industrial action.
Colin
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Hi
Colin model boats was in smiths on the 28th aug at lakeside in Essex and they is no problems with the post in this area.
Thanks DaveW
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Well, I only got mine this morning in the post so I suggest you give it until tomorrow or Saturday. Then ring customer services at the number inside the magazine if it still hasn't arrived. I'm afraid I only run the website, I have nothing to do with the post or distribution arrangements.
Colin
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Mine came this morning. :-))
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I got mine 2 days ago :-))
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Hi
Mag did not come today still waiting.
Davew
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Topic renamed :-)
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Arrived Today :-))
As I mentioned before there is national action going on, not so much strikes but Working to rule.. which has been going on a while now according to out postman and the Local postoffice , so I would expect some delays all round..
Larry
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Got mine by post, in France on Wednesday!
Roger in France
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My copy arrived this morning (Monday 7th). The post is never very good in North London, but the latest series of disputes has made it even worse. Off to the pub to read it now!!!!
Cheers,
Mike
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Model Boats will be publishing their Winter Special on 29th October under the title Naval and Lifeboat Special. Subscribers will get it the week before.
This combines two very popular areas of model boating so should be of interest to a lot of people. As soon as the full contents are available I will post them on the Model Boats website http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
In the meantime here is a reproduction of the cover to whet your appetite!
Colin
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....Doh %%
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:-))
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Looks like it's going to be a good issue. :-))
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Whose SPT plan Colin??
Regards Ian.
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Whose SPT plan Colin??
J Parker - I don't have any more detail for the moment except on the stuff I've contributed.
Colin
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The contents of the Model Boats Naval and Lifeboats Winter Special can now be seen on the Model Boats website: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
The issue is due to be in the shops on 29th October while subscribers should get it before then depending on the effects of the current industrial action in respect of Royal Mail.
Warships and Lifeboats are popular modelling subjects so it's well worth checking out.
Colin
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The cover and contents of the December 2009 issue can now be seen on the Model Boats website: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/ This issue contains some images from the recent photographic competition and a superb image of Gribeauval's work is featured on the cover. I reckon it looks more realistic than the real thing!
Colin
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anyone else NOT recived there copy ?
>>:-(
peter
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Probably everyone seeing as it's not due out until 20th November - or were you referring to the Winter Special Peter in which case it's almost certainly down to the Post Office strikes.
Colin
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yes the Warships and Lifeboats special as i have not got a time Machine ........yet.
peter
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(http://www.modelboats.co.uk/sites/2/images/website_images/mb200932_p001%20%5Bspecial%5D.jpg)
Great mag, thanks all involved.
....do you need any help with the Time Machine Peter? ( now known as Marty McFly! )
There are a couple of 2nd hand Flux capacitors on fleaBay ending soon.
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is it there yet %%
peter
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Yes. :-)
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Better not mention then, that I got Mine just over a week ago by post. 8)
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New subscriber only competition now on the Model Boats Website http://www.modelboats.co.uk/ with the prize of an Iwata airbrush which normally retails at £109.
Go on, you know you're worth it!
Colin
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New subscriber only competition now on the Model Boats Website http://www.modelboats.co.uk/ with the prize of an Iwata airbrush which normally retails at £109.
Go on, you know you're worth it!
Colin
Not a lot of good to us old subscribers then >>:-(
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Not sure what you mean Richard - if you already subscribe you can enter. There's no age limit!
Colin
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Hi
I think Richard means is as you are all ready a subsciber what benfits do you get, this offer is only for new subcibers.
DaveW
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I think this is a case of eats shoots and leaves. <*<
What the Major really means is:
A new, subscriber only, competition - that is
a new competition, but only open to subscribers
Anyway, I'm an existing subscriber and it let me have a go. The thought police haven't called yet. 8)
Doug
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MyHobbyStore have now revamped their Website shop to make it easier to navigate. More goodies on offer too!
http://www.myhobbystore.com/
Colin
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Better not mention then, that I got Mine just over a week ago by post. 8)
I've only just realised that mine still hasn't turned up. A casualty of the postal strikes aI presume. :((
Guy
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Guy, get in touch with Customer Services as listed in the magazine. They should be in a position to help you if you explain the problem.
Colin
-
My December issue arrived yesterday, here at the bottom of the world. :-))
Peter.
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I've only just realised that mine still hasn't turned up. A casualty of the postal strikes aI presume
The postal strikes finished a couple of weeks ago {:-{
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GOT MINE OK :-))
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My December issue still hasn't arrived (New Jersey, USA). And while I'm complaining...the folks who run the magazine have never been able to provide me with a "subscriber number" that, in their words, would "access to subscriber only content" at their website. I have exchanged e-mails with the company's home office in the UK, and phone calls with their woefully inept US representatives, all to no avail. Their gibberish and double-talk would have made a politician or a clergyman blush, but the message boils down to this: my subscribewr number won't work because I am an overseas customer, and the people who run the website appear to be too lazy or indifferent to devise a solution. Bad web service from a very good printed magazine, in my view.
Cheers,
Capt. Spaulding
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Capt. Spaulding,
Sounds that there is something amiss! Please PM me with the full details , including your subscriber number, and I will take it up on your behalf. There have been problems with overseas subscribers having problems with accessing subscriber only content but these have been supposedly sorted out. The technical support guy is currently on leave but hopefully we can fix it for you.
Colin
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Thought the Subscriber number was the larger number on the front of the grey plastic wrapping the Mag arrives in..? Mine is..
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Thats what i thought seems strange that it should be country specific but then im no pooter boffin
-
Apparently there have been some problems with people accessing the Model Boats site from North America but the problem is supposed to have ben fixed
Colin
-
maybe a bigger hammer is required O0 <*<
Andy
-
I think it's more to do with the way that subscriber details have been held by the North American agents Andy. These days everybody works through somebody else and sometimes the connections aren't as seamless as they should be. I believe it's called partnership working!
Colin
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or partnership not quite working :o must be a nightmare to organise though , theres bound to be a few problems cropping up O0
Andy
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Joys of outsourcing Andy.....
-
Well you know what my grandad used to say ?........if you want something done right do it yourself {-) {-) {-)
Andy
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Here is what has been "explained" to me by the various unhelpful, uninterested people I have dealt with: the subscriber number is the long number printed with the mailing address; the format for the number for overseas subscribers is not the same as the format for "home" subscribers; the computer systems in the UK and North America that are supposed to keep track of such things and reconcile them, do not do what they are supposed to do (no surprise there); and, as I said, no one wants to bother to go the to trouble of putting things right.
The comments that have mentioned the problems associated with outsourcing probably hit the nail on the head. In general, and in my 35 years of business experience, outsourcing is one of the evils of our time, diffusing responsibility and diminishing the quality of the product or service a company offers. The accounting wizards can massage the numbers to "prove" that outsourcing "saves money," but that is complete nonsense; the data can be tortured in any way at all, until they confess and give the answer desired by the two or three dullards who make "executive decisions." Outsourcing can be made to work for manufacturing companies, but it does not work for companies that deal with live, retail-level customers. Ever try to communicate with someone half a world a way to try to solve a computer problem?
to Colin: thank you for offering to help. (What is your association with the magazine, may I ask?) I will send you my subscriber number when I receive my December issue in the mail...if and when that happy day arrives...
Cheers,
Capt. Spaulding
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We Brits have to put up with communication problems every day
through Mumbai mumblers in Calcutta Call Centres
Yours Aye
Ned
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Capt Spalding,
Colin runs the Model Boats website (having only recently taken it over) and a very helpful chap he is too. If anyone can sort your problem out it is him. :-)) :-))
-
HES OFTEN SEEN OUT WITH HIS CAPE WIELDING HIS SUPERPOWERS IN THE MODELLING WORLD ,, HE WILL FIX IT NO WORRIES O0
Andy :-))
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Talking about outsourcing. Was so depressed last night that I rang the Samaritans.
Got through to a call centre in Pakistan .
Told them I was suicidal, they got all excited and asked if I could fly a plane.
-
Glad to hear that Colin is the Mr. Fix-it of Model Boats. I'm sure that things will be squared away in no time.
DickyD: I'm still laughing, a kind of sad-but-true laugh. But I wouldn't want to offend...
Now it's off to make one of those highly efficient 50-minute computer-hotline calls.
Cheers,
Capt. Spaulding
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Talking about outsourcing. Was so depressed last night that I rang the Samaritans.
Got through to a call centre in Pakistan .
Told them I was suicidal, they got all excited and asked if I could fly a plane.
{-)
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There have indeed been problems in North America due to a change in the Subscriptions Bureau but the problems are being sorted out. MyHobbyStore have asked me to post the following statement:
MyHobbyStore are currently changing subscription bureau in North America. The change over has caused a small delay in the arrival of some subscribers issues of the magazine. We would be grateful for your patience. This should affect only North American subscribers. If you are still missing your Model Boats magazine by the 14th December 09 please email customer.services@myhobbystore.com
We apologise for any inconvenience.
I have sent Captain Spaulding a PM regarding his particular problems. In the meantime I suggest you give MHS the benefit of the doubt. The very last thing they want is to offend or lose subscribers but things don't always go the way they ought to!
Colin
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Just wanted to raise a glass to Colin, and thank him for trying to resolve the Model Boat subscription/website issues I, and others, have raised. If all "outsourcing" people were as responsive as he is, things would be as smooth as silk. And then we'd have nothing to gripe about!
Cheers,
Capt. Spaulding
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like i said , hes a model boat wielding super hero O0 O0 O0 %%
regards Andy
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Just an update on the North America Subscriber problem. MyHobbyStore are working on it. In the meantime contact customer services. See statement below.
Colin
***************************
Access to subscriber only content online (North American subscribers only)
All North American subscribers looking for your UK subscriber number, which allows you to gain access to the subscriber only content online, please
email customer.services@myhobbystore.com <mailto:customer.services@myhobbystore.com> with your name, the magazine you subscribe to and your request for a UK subscriber number. We will get back to you shortly with these details. Sorry for any inconvenience, we are currently setting up a system where your UK subscriber number will be emailed directly to you; in the meantime please email the above address.
-
There are another two competition draws running on the Model Boats website, one for subscribers, the other open to all.
Interesting if you like warships from the first half of the 20th Century!
Colin
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2010 marks the 60th anniversary of Model Maker/Model Boats magazine and to mark the occasion MyHobbyStore are preparing a special Commemorative issue.
This will feature material taken from six decades of publication plus specially commissioned articles which highlight the progress made in Model Boating from 1950 until the present.
This special edition will only be available from W.H.Smith or by direct order from MyHobbyStore and publication date will be mid May 2010.
I have been given the privilege of editing this unique edition which reflects the rich diversity of model boating over the last 60 years. I hope it will give you as much pleasure in reading as it has me in putting it all together.
For advance orders see: http://www.myhobbystore.com/product.asp?p=24897
Colin
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Special Announcement.
New for 2010 – Article Archive Service
From February 2010, MyHobbyStore is offering all readers access to our extensive archive of build articles from past issues of RCM&E, Model Boats, Model Engineer and Model Engineers’ Workshop. If you want to supplement your library, or need help with constructing a model, this is the place to come! Call 0844 848 88 22 or email customer.services@myhobbystore.com to request any article, quoting the title and issue number/date (NB: we will supply the entire back issue if possible). Prices start at £3.00 plus p&p.
Remember, if you are a subscriber you can access and search issues publishedf from January 2007 using the Digital Archive Facility on the Model Boats website.
Colin
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Here is a preview of the special Commemorative Edition of Model Boats which is due to be published on 13th May. This is not a subscriber issue and you will either need to order it in advance from MyHobbyStore, which you can do now, or buy it in W.H. Smith. Further details of the contents will be published in the may issue of Model Boats and on the Model Boats website: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
-
Sorry, Colin, putting "special Commemorative Edition of Model Boats" or "Commemorative Edition of Model Boats" in Website search in My Hobby Store returns "No results found" and I cannot find a link on the website
Thanks
Bob
-
Try this link Colin gave us earlier.
http://www.myhobbystore.com/product.asp?p=24897
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Colin will I still have to order it as I have a subscription as some extra mags are sent automatically.
Peter
-
Peter,
Yes you will as it is a special retail only limited edition. Your subscription entitles you to 13 issues a year, 12 regular monthly ones plus a Winter Special which is why the date of publication changes from month to month.
Go on, be a devil....
Colin
-
I've just bought my copy through the link Dicky posted above and it worked fine.
-
Mine's ordered too :-)) O0
Peter.
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We have just launched a new photo competition on the Model Boats site - http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
The last one was popular so come on over and have a go!
Colin
-
MyHobbyStore plans
Daniel Webb who manages the retail arm of this group is seeking good images of any model built from our plans, so that the catalogue can be updated. A £5 MHS gift voucher will be awarded for all images used and credit for the image will be published online.
Images (together with plan reference number and name) should be submitted by email to: daniel.webb@myhobbystore.com.
Here is youir opportunity for undying fame!
Colin
-
A couple of prize draws just launched on the Model Boats website, one subscriber and one open. Prizes are a book on building Model Warships and on German Destroyers of WW2. Worth checking out!
Also, it is now possible to subscribe to a digital edition of Model Boats which could be handy for those people around the world who have precarious postal services.
http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
Just a reminder that the special Commemorative Edition of the magazine goes on sale on 13th May in W.H Smith or you can order a copy here:
http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/24897/model-boats-commemorative-special-1950-2010-pre-order
Colin
-
:-)
-
Details of the contents of the Special Commemorative Issue are now on the Model Boats website http://www.modelboats.co.uk/ so you can see all the goodies on offer!
If this one goes down well there is the possibility of anothert themed special next year.....
Colin
-
Just a reminder that the Model Boats Commemorative Special issue will be on sale in W.H.Smith tomorrow, Thursday 13th May.
Those people who have pre ordered have already been sent their copies and it has been well received.
Details of the contents can be seen by clicking on the image on the MB Website home page.
This is a limited print run so if you want a copy don't delay, when it's gone it's gone! You'll have to wait 60 years for the next one. ok2
Yes, I know it is an unashamed plug!
Colin
-
"Yes, I know it is an unashamed plug!"
I didn't know Colin had those words in his vocabulary!
We are also planning for them to be available at our Wicksteed Mayhem Weekend on David Brumstead stall.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/index.htm
-
Perhaps I should make it clear that I don't get paid according to the number of issues sold. I just get a pretty modest fixed fee for producing the issue.
However, I do believe that some of those old articles were first class material and deserve to be seen again by as many people as possible. I found them really interesting and they only scratch the surface of what is still buried away. If this issue is well received there may be the opportunity to publish more of these old classic articles.
Colin
-
I received mine last week and I've just finished reading through it, I liked it
I would be very happy to see more along the same lines even though I have quite a few of the old mags from the 60's onwards
-
Hi Colin
I receive my pre ordered "Model Boats" by post, so would you tell me please if the Commemorative Special will be dropping thro' my letterbox or if I have to purchase it separately.
Brian
-
Brian,
It isn't a regular issue but a separate Special so you will need to buy it separately.
You will still get your regular 13 annual issues as usual.
Colin
-
My regular subscription issue arrived at the same time as the commemorative issue, so I was spoilt for choice. :-)
I thought that the commemorative issue was absolutely first class, and my congratulations go to all concerned in its publication, especially Colin Bishop. Hopefully we will see others along the same lines at some point in the future.
Peter.
-
NOT MB fault but our WHSmiths says they have not receieved them yet <*< They must still be having trouble with the snow we had back in January and the Volcanic Ash !! <:(..
-
Yes, I looked in WHS in Kingston on Thames and they weren't there either. Hopefully tomorrow. If I hear anything otherwise I will put on an update. I know these delays do happen from time to time.
Colin
-
I pushed the boat out (ouch!) and ordered mine online today. First and only thing I ever bought over the hinternet! I do hope it arrives, Mr. Bishop!
Regards,
Vintagent
-
For those of you queueing at W.H.Smith.....
Apparently there has been a glitch with the distribution. The latest info I have is that some WHS branches now have copies and that the main distribution will take place today so that the issue should be generally available tomorrow (Saturday 15th).
However not every WHS Branch will be stocking them - presumably not the smallest ones - in which case you will need to order direct from MyHobbyStore. They have them available to send out so there should be no delay but you will have to pay postage. http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/24897/model-boats-commemorative-special-1950-2010-pre-order
The delay does not appear to be the fault of MyHobbyStore - a bit frustrating though!
Colin
-
Just had a pleasant e-mail from Myhobbystore saying it's been despatched. Should get it tomorrow.
Nice service. i hope the issue lives up to hype.
Vintagent
-
i hope the issue lives up to hype.
So do I, Vintagent, so do I .........
Colin
-
It's got old stuff in it, Colin, of course it will!
A nice weekend read, I hope.
Regards,
Vintagent
-
For those of you queueing at W.H.Smith.....
Apparently there has been a glitch with the distribution. The latest info I have is that some WHS branches now have copies and that the main distribution will take place today so that the issue should be generally available tomorrow (Saturday 15th).
However not every WHS Branch will be stocking them - presumably not the smallest ones - in which case you will need to order direct from MyHobbyStore. They have them available to send out so there should be no delay but you will have to pay postage. http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/24897/model-boats-commemorative-special-1950-2010-pre-order
The delay does not appear to be the fault of MyHobbyStore - a bit frustrating though!
Colin
Blimey youre good Colin , I just sat down to say we still seemed to have a problem and you had already answered the question..
-
Latest info this morning (Monday) is that there have indeed been distribution delays, apparently on the part of W H Smith. MyHobbyStore are trying to clarify the situation and I will post further information as soon as I receive it.
WH Smith stores due to receive the issue are as below. Each will have either 10 or 5 copies.
Colin
32 HIGH TONBRIDGE BKS, 35 HIGH NANTWICH BKS, 39 TOLL BEVERLEY STY, 5 NORTHST SUDBURY STY, 84 HIGH NEWMARKET BKS, ABERYSTWYTH, ACCRINGTON, AIRDRIE, ALDERSHOT, ALDRIDGE, ALNWICK, ALTON, ALTRINCHAM, ANDOVER, ARBROATH, ARGYLE STREET, ARNDALE MANCHESTER, ARNOLD, ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH, ASHFORD, ASHTON UNDER LYNE, AYLESBURY, AYR, BAKER STREET METRO, BALHAM, BANBURY, BANCHORY, BARNSLEY, BARNSTAPLE, BARROW, BASILDON, BASINGSTOKE, BATH UNION ST, BATHGATE, BEACONSFIELD, BEDFORD, BEESTON, BELFAST, BERKHAMSTED, BERWICK-ON-TWEED, BEXLEYHEATH, BICESTER, BIRKENHEAD, BIRMINGHAM, BIRSTALL LEEDS, BISHOP AUCKLAND, BISHOPS STORTFORD, BLACKPOOL, BLETCHLEY, BLUEWATER PARK, BLYTH, BODMIN, BOGNOR REGIS, BOLTON, BOOTLE, BOREHAMWOOD, BOSCOMBE, BOSTON, BOURNEMOUTH, BRACKNELL, BRADFORD KIRKGATE, BRAEHEAD, BRAINTREE, BRECON, BRENT CROSS, BRIDGNORTH, BRIDGWATER, BRIDPORT, BRIGHTON, BRISTOL GALLERIES, BROMLEY, BROMSGROVE, BROUGHTON PARC, BURGESS HILL, BURNLEY, BURTON ON TRENT, BURY, BURY ST EDMUNDS, BUXTON, CAERNARFON, CAERPHILLY, CAMBERLEY, CAMBORNE, CAMBRIDGE, CAMERON TOLL, CANNOCK, CANTERBURY, CARDIFF, CARLISLE, CARMARTHEN, CASTLEPOINT, CATERHAM, CATFORD, CHATHAM, CHELMSFORD, CHELTENHAM HIGH, CHEPSTOW, CHESTER, CHESTERFIELD, CHICHESTER, CHIPPENHAM, CHIPPING NORTON, CHISWICK, CHORLEY, CHRISTCHURCH, CIRENCESTER, CLACTON ON SEA, CLEV MIDDLESBROUGH, CLITHEROE, COLCHESTER, COLLIERS WOOD, COLWYN BAY, COMERCIAL WAY WOKING, COVENTRY, COWLEY, CRAWLEY, CREWE, CRIBBS CAUSEWAY, CROYDON, CUPAR, CWMBRAN, DALKEITH, DARLINGTON, DARTFORD, DEAL, DEEPDALE PRESTON, DERBY, DEWSBURY, DIDCOT, DONCASTER, DORCHESTER, DOUGLAS I OF M, DOVER, DROITWICH, DUDLEY, DUMFRIES, DUNDEE, DUNFERMLINE, DUNSTABLE, DURHAM, EALING, EAST GRINSTEAD, EAST HAM, EAST KILBRIDE, EAST RETFORD, EAST SHEEN, EASTBOURNE, EASTLEIGH, EDGWARE, ELEPHANT & CASTLE, ELGIN, ELTHAM, ELY, ENFIELD, EPSOM, ERDINGTON, EXETER, EXMOUTH, FALKIRK, FALMOUTH, FAREHAM, FARNBOROUGH, FARNHAM, FELIXSTOWE, FISHERGATE PRESTON, FLEET, FOLKESTONE, FOREST HILL, FORT RETAIL PARK, FORT WILLIAM, FOSSE PARK, FROGMORE ABERGAVENNY, FROME, FULHAM, GALASHIELS, GALLIONS BECKTON, GATESHEAD METRO, GENTS WALK NORWICH, GILLINGHAM, GLENROTHES, GLOUCESTER, GODALMING, GOSFORTH, GRANGEMOUTH, GRANTHAM, GRAVESEND, GRAYS, GREAT YARMOUTH, GREENFORD RETAIL PK, GREENOCK, GREENWICH, GRIMSBY, GUERNSEY, GUILDFORD, HALESOWEN, HALIFAX, HAMILTON, HAMMERSMITH, HANLEY, HARBORNE, HARLOW, HARPENDEN, HARROGATE, HARROW, HARTLEPOOL, HASTINGS, HAVANT, HAVERFORDWEST, HAVERHILL, HAWICK, HAYES, HAYWARDS HEATH, HELENSBURGH, HELSTON, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HENLEY ON THAMES, HEREFORD, HERTFORD, HIGH ST ORPINGTON, HIGH WYCOMBE, HINCKLEY, HITCHIN, HOLBORN CIRCUS, HONITON, HORSHAM, HOUNSLOW, HOVE, HUDDERSFIELD, HULL KINGSWOOD, HUNTINGDON, ILFORD, INVERNESS, IPSWICH, JERSEY WHS JERSEYLTD, KEIGHLEY, KELSO, KENDAL, KETTERING, KILBURN, KILMARNOCK, KINGS LYNN, KINGSTON U THAMES, KINGSWOOD, KIRKCALDY, KIRKINTILLOCH, LANCASTER, LARGS, LEAMINGTON SPA, LEATHERHEAD, LEEDS, LEICESTER GALLOWTREE, LETCHWORTH, LEWES, LEWISHAM, LICHFIELD, LINCOLN, LIVERPOOL, LIVINGSTON, LLANDUDNO, LLANELLI, LONG EATON, LOUGHBOROUGH, LOUGHTON, LOWESTOFT, LUTON, LYMINGTON, MACCLESFIELD, MAIDENHEAD, MAIDSTONE, MALDON, MANSFIELD, MARGATE, MARKET BANGOR BKS, MARLBOROUGH, MARLOW, MEADOWHALL, MELTON MOWBRAY, MERRY HILL, MERTHYR TYDFIL, MIDDLETON, MILTON KEYNES, MINEHEAD, MOLD, MONKS CROSS, MONMOUTH, MORPETH, NEW MERSEY RETAIL PK, NEWARK, NEWBURY, NEWCASTLE, NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME, NEWPORT GWENT, NEWPORT I OF W, NEWTON ABBOT, NEWTOWN, NORTH FINCHLEY, NORTHALLERTON, NORTHAMPTON, NORTHFIELD, NORTHWICH, NOTTING HILL GATE, NOTTINGHAM VICTORIA, NUNEATON, OBAN, OLDHAM, OSWESTRY, OXFORD, OXFORD STREET, PAIGNTON, PAISLEY, PARKGATE ROTHERHAM., PARKHEAD FORGE, PECKHAM, PENRITH, PENZANCE, PERTH, PETERBOROUGH, PETERHEAD, PETERSFIELD, PITLOCHRY, PLYMOUTH, PONTEFRACT, PONTYPRIDD, POOLE, PORTSMOUTH, POULTON, PROSPECT CENTRE HULL, PUTNEY, RAMSGATE, READING, REDDITCH, REDHILL, RHIW CENTRE BRIDGEND, RHYL, RICHMOND, RICHMOND (YORKSHIRE), RICKMANSWORTH, RIPON, ROCHDALE, ROMFORD, ROTHERHAM, RUGBY, RUGELEY, RUNCORN, RYDE ISLE OF WIGHT, SALE, SALISBURY, SAUCHIEHALL GLASGOW, SCARBOROUGH, SCUNTHORPE, SELBY, SERPENTINE GRN PBORO, SHEFFIELD, SHEFFLD CRYSTAL PEAK, SHREWSBURY, SKIPTON, SLOUGH, SOLIHULL, SOUTH HAMPSTEAD, SOUTH SHIELDS, SOUTH ST WORTHING, SOUTHAMPTON, SOUTHEND, SOUTHPORT, SOUTHSEA, SPALDING, SPIRES BARNET BKS, ST ALBANS MARKET SQ, ST ANNES, ST AUSTELL, ST HELENS, ST NICHOLAS ABERDEEN, ST STEPHENS NORWICH, STAFFORD, STAINES, STAMFORD, STEVENAGE, STIRLING, STOCKPORT, STOCKTON ON TEES, STONE, STOURBRIDGE, STRANRAER, STRATFORD EAST, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, STREATHAM, STRETFORD, SUNDERLAND 2, SURREY QUAYS, SUTTON, SUTTON COLDFIELD, SWANSEA, SWINDON, TAUNTON, TAVISTOCK, TEESIDE RETAIL PARK, TEIGNMOUTH, TELFORD, TENTERDEN, TEWKESBURY, THANET WESTWOODCROSS, THURROCK, TOTNES, TRAFFORD PARK, TROWBRIDGE, TRURO, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, U14 GYLE EDINBURGH, UNION ST ABERDEEN, UNION ST TORQUAY, UXBRIDGE, VENTURA PARK, VIC ST KIDDERMINSTER, WAKEFIELD, WALLASEY, WALSALL, WALTHAM CROSS, WALTON-ON-THAMES, WANDSWORTH, WANTAGE, WARMINSTER, WARRINGTON, WARWICK, WATERLOOVILLE, WATFORD HARLEQUIN, WELLINGBOROUGH, WELLINGTON (SHROPS), WELLS, WELSHPOOL, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, WESTON FAVELL, WESTON SUPER MARE, WEYMOUTH, WHITE CITY, WHITE ROSE LEEDS, WHITEFRIARGATE HULL, WHITELADIES CLIFTON, WICKFORD, WIDNES, WIGAN, WILMSLOW, WIMBLEDON, WINCHESTER, WINDSOR, WISBECH, WISHAW, WITNEY, WOLVERHAMPTON, WOOD GREEN, WOODBRIDGE, WOOLWICH, WORCESTER (RE-SITE), WORKSOP, WORTHING, WREXHAM NEW STORE, YEOVIL, YORK,
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Colin, nice issue, I got mine next day over the net/post.
I would have preferred more facsimile type prints of older articles and cannot see why you put a review of a new and rather boring kit in a special issue, but the pics of old covers and ads was welcome.
Regards,
Vintagent
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Glad you liked it Vintagent. To answer some of your points:
Although billed as a ‘Commemorative Issue’ this special could not be just an exercise in nostalgia as it would have had little ‘shelf appeal’ which is where most of the sales are expected to be made. The idea is to celebrate the history of model boating since the war and bring it up to date by showing that it is still an appealing hobby. Slanting the content towards a lot of us ‘sixty somethings’ revisiting their youth would not have achieved that and would not have been commercially successful, the publishers do hope to make a bit of profit after all!
This is also why most of the older material has been selected on the basis of whether it is still relevant today which I think much of it is. As far as formatting is concerned, simply reproducing the old articles in facsimile form would have resulted in a rather messy looking and unattractive largely monochrome magazine as full colour was not introduced until 1999. There would also have been problems with the older issues of the magazine being in a different format from the present A4 size. We take attractively laid out magazines much for granted these days but editing this particular issue has demonstrated to me that layout is not always at all easy! I therefore decided that the best approach would be to lift the text of the old articles by using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software and to scan the old illustrations in separately. This had several benefits in that we could reformat the text and images to fit in with the modern A4 format and also enhance the old images to make them look better. Some colour could be introduced in the form of relevant old magazine covers and we could also correct some old errors and introduce metric dimensions where relevant. It did take a lot of work but I personally think that the result was worth it in making these old articles ‘live again’.
Kit reviews are obviously a very important part of today’s model boating scene so it was appropriate to include at least one. It needed to be a modern one as reproducing a review of a kit now out of production would have been rather pointless. Whether you regard a modern tug as boring is a matter of preference of course, but Dutch Courage is a popular and colourful mid range kit which sells well and can be expected to appeal to a good proportion of the general target readership.
Obviously you cannot meet everybody’s personal preferences with an issue like this, you have to strike a balance but I hope these comments give some idea of the thinking behind it.
Colin
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Hello Colin, I can see your thinking about the difficulty with the formatting. In fact I came to that conclusion when reading it again over lunch! Pity though. The graphics quality then was invariably better than today. At least, it was easier on the eye. Today's ads are so brash.
But I would say that most of the people in the hobby are indeed the older ones who, in fact, are now the majority of the population.
I guess that can argued for ever, but I still say that a kit review of ANY kind was a waste of space in a Commemorative issue, when there was so much excellent copy to go through. After all this was an extra copy, not a regular one.
Anyway, I generally enjoyed it and well done for all the work. Having edited the magazines of several classic car clubs AND the Classic Motor Boat Association, I know how Editor is the loneliest job. At least you have contributors. I used to write the lot!
Regards,
Vintagent
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Well , The delivery driver has battled through snow, sun and Volcanic ash and the Special has finaly made it to our WH Smiths last night , still not on the shelfs but none the less in the store.. 8)
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I cannot agree with Vintagent's assertion that the graphics quality of earlier magazines was better than our modern equivalents. My own opinion is that modern printing standards are light years ahead of the "good old days", a fact well illustrated by the high quality of Model Boats magazine - and, for that matter, many other current magazines.
I thought that the Commemorative Issue was excellent, and a fitting tribute to Colin and his team for all the effort that must have gone into its production. Well done one and all :-))
Peter.
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Agreed about the general quality of the special issue, but my point about better graphics is a somewhat puristic one of the quality of creativity and skill in execution of typographic design and drawing skill.
One of the best parts of this new issue is the inclusion of old ads and covers, especially the ads.
Those guys who were then known as commercial artists were indeed artists. We look at those ads with dewy eyes because they were so impressive and memorable. It is highly unlikely that we will look back on some computer generated brash over coloured effort of today in 50 years time with any love. But we will still appreciate the artistry and impact of the old hand drawn and individually designed black and white ones. I have been fortunate to know personally some commercial artists of the old school, skilled in cross-hatching, typographic design, technical illustration, etc.
What they achieved on poor paper with Gillott pen and Indian ink will live for ever.
The outpourings of a Photoshop art library will die a month later.
Look at an old Motor Boat and Yachting magazine, for instance. Staggeringly skillful draughtsmanship in both articles and adverts.
That is lost now.
Regards,
Vintagent
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MyHobbyStore have now sold out of their stock of pre order copies as demand proved to be rather higher than they anticipated so if you still want one you will have to try one of the branches of W.H. Smith listed above. However there may be a few copies for sale on Dave Brumstead's stand at the Mayhem gathering.
Colin
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I got a copy today.
Thank you to who ever put the photo of my Makara boat at Wiki park last year. Sadly I sold it to young Sally who is going to race it sometime this year. My shed can only hold so many boats and my new boat needed some building space. See you all at Wiki park next weekend.
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Just a heads up BEFORE it hits the fan Colin, it would appear that the SUBSCRIPTION Archived copies that can be scanned and downloaded are on the "OLD" type reader which seems to be more user friendly than the one NOW used on the M/E and MEW archives which was changed recently.
If MHS change yours, be warned, there are a lot of unhappy bunnies on the other site so you might get a Mexican wave. Not questioning the rights or wrongs of the system, but many subscribed on the strength of how it was and MHS have now changed the rules.
Regards Ian.
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Yes, the comments on the Model Engineer Forum make interesting reading. I have no direct involvement with any of that and it will be interesting to see what sort of response/clarification there is from MHS.
Colin
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MyHobbyStore have now sold out of their stock of pre order copies as demand proved to be rather higher than they anticipated so if you still want one you will have to try one of the branches of W.H. Smith listed above.
Colin
Been into my local W.H.Smith FOUR times this week. No copies to be had. Made enquiries and after checking the stock etc via the computer was told that,
NO delivery was due at the Aldershot branch. Other specials have been available in the past, even though they quickly sold out. Never had trouble obtaining any issue, monthly or otherwise, until now. >:-o I would have pre ordered if I had known. >>:-(
Alan.
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I understand that the list printed above was provided by W.H. Smith so I don't know what is happening either! The problems have been drawn to the attention of MHS.
Colin
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My store was late in the day but they turned up..
I am willing to visit my store again to see if they have any left , If they do (there were 3 last time I looked) I am willing to purchase these and post it out on receipt of payment . Postage I think would be around 80p to 1 pound..I can be more specific once I Weigh my copy.. Also once posted I could accept NO responsibility for it going astray..But I would get proof of postage..
Pm me if interested. And I will check with the store on Monday. :-))
Larry
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PM sent. Larry. Thanks. :-))
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Picked up 2 copies in paignton Friday and they had a few left on the shelf, if anyone is still looking I can check tomorrow at lunch...another reason to catch a few more rays {-)
Robert
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Hi wetwater , Picked up a copy for You from our Local WHS , will send you a Pm once postage confirned..
Also picked up a spare if anyone is still after one..
Larry
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Thank you Larry. :-)) Much appreciated. Pm's and payment already sent.
Another problem solved by the kindness of Mayhemer's. O0
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Magazine arrived today. :-)) Thanks again Larry. :-)
Alan.
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Glad to help , The other one will be on its way to Germany Shortly..
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The MyHobbyStore staff managing the plans listings (not just boats) are engaged in updating the plans listings and descriptions on the MHS Online Store.
With over 10,000 products listed, errors can and do creep in, some of which have been carried over from the old printed handbooks. These are mentioned from time to time on Mayhem such as the incorrect length of HMS Exeter the other day.
If anyone notices something that needs to be corrected it would be appreciated if you could let me know so that I can arrange to have an amendment made. Boaters are most likely to pick up any errors as they are most familiar with the subject matter.
The plans collection is an invaluable resource to model boaters and it is in all our interests that it is as correct as possible.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Colin
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For those of you on the Western side of the Atlantic, MyHobbyStore has just launched a Website for North and South American customers. Their new office in Clearwater, Florida can now provide many of the MHS range of products, saving on postal charges and possible delivery delays.
Thye new website is: http://www.myhobbystore.com/
Colin
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We have another Special Issue of Model Boats due for publication on 5th May on the theme of 'Construction'. The intention is to respond to the common queries which frequently crop up on internet forums together with a selection of classic plan features from the archives. More details orf the contents can be found here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=49881&p=1
I very much hope that we won't experience the distribution problems with W.H.Smith we had last year but if you llike the look of the contents then you can pre order it!
Colin
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I have to admit, I do just browse the mags in the shops and very rarely buy one, but on this occasion, I will be buying this issue on the 5th May, now I have got my first model, all help really counts, on the forum and in publications.
Regards, Jim.
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Jim, you have a PM.
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Jim,
Forums are excellent for answering specific enquiries. What we are trying to do here is to give modellers some general background information which is all in one place. The general theme may be 'Boating Basics' but I have picked up some very useful tips myself from the articles that have been commissioned. We can all learn from others no matter how experienced we are and there is a lot of commonsense in the material being published.
I hope you find it useful.
Colin
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I have ordered mine, and if it's half as good as the first special I'll be very happy indeed.
Peter.
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Well it seems to be finding its way onto the shelves at WH Smith now but not at all branches it seems although you can still order direct from MyHobbyStore.
We've changed the cover and you can see the list of contents here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article.asp?a=8072
Colin
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Must pop out and get mine ASAP. O0
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I was in WH Smiths today and still no copies of this special edition, but when I asked, I was told that some of their deliveries were delayed because of the bank holidays....I'll check again tomorrow.
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Got mine last Saturday. (Through the letterbox!)
I think it's excellent.
Mike
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the magazine has arrived in sunny rhyl n wales, bought it today very impressed by what i have read so far, well put together colin and team
davidj :-)) %%
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We have just put up a couple of free draws on the Model Boats website. One is for the Anatomy of the Ship book on HMS Hood for subscribers only, the other is open entry and is for the very interesting Shipcraft book on County Class Cruisers.
http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
Worth a punt I think!
Colin
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the magazine has arrived in sunny rhyl n wales, bought it today very impressed by what i have read so far, well put together colin and team
davidj :-)) %%
David, I think your bit of Rhyl has moved, my bit has certainly not been sunny today ! {-)
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David, I think your bit of Rhyl has moved
In time certainly... :}
Lance
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hi kinmel,
when i posted this IN MAY 2011 IT WAS very sunny :-),but yesterday was very very very veryvery windy i never moved out :((
time moves on :-)even on mayhem
davidj
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called in w.h.smiths today fifth time since april 5,still no
model boats mags on the shelfs, anybody know what the
problem is or when were likely to see any
pima.
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Model Boats was published as usual. Maybe your branch has sold out or has stopped stocking them, Not all branches of WHS carry the model boating magazines, particularly the smaller ones. Have you asked the staff?
If you buy it every month then a subscription would be better value.
Colin
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I have been talked into editing another Special issue of Model Boats for 2012. %%
The republishing of classic articles from the past proved to be very popular in the last two Special issues so this time we have devoted almost all of the issue to mining the extensive Model Boats archives to bring readers a selection of some of the very best plan features published over the last 50 years or so. They cover all types of scale models so there is something for modellers of all abilities. They may be oldies but they are certainly still goldies and were written by top class modellers who still have a lot to share in terms of techniques, skills and craftmanship. Moreover, you can buy hulls for many of them if you would prefer the fast track route to completion. And of course there are far more fittings available off the shelf now compared to when these designs orignally appeared.
We are also including a full size free plan of HMS Sheffield, one of Glynn Guest's most impressive projects, yet still well within the ability of the average modeller.
Many current readers will be unfamiliar with much of the material, while those who may remember it will welcome seeing it again and may be prompted to have a go at projects that they would never have attempted when they first appeared!
As a bonus, we are including a full listing of the MHS Model Boat Plan and Hull range although you will need to go online for more detailed descriptions.
The cover and contents page of the Plan Features Special issue can be seen here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/model-boats-plan-feature-special-2012/12747
The Special issue can be pre ordered now using the above link and will be on sale at most branches of W.H. Smith only at the end of August.
Colin
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I have been talked into editing another Special issue of Model Boats for 2012. %%
Colin, If your previous two issues are anything to go by, this should be an excellent publication. Looking forward to receiving my copy.
Tony.
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The two Smeed resurrections would be good value if the original plan prices were charged. 5/- and 5 and 6d - - 25p and 27 1/2p :}
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The two Smeed resurrections would be good value if the original plan prices were charged. 5/- and 5 and 6d - - 25p and 27 1/2p
And we were all still earning around £400 per annum!
Glad you liked the last two Tony, I hope this one will live up to expectations. I'm still cross eyed from inserting metric equivalents to original dimensions !
Colin
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I have been talked into editing another Special issue of Model Boats for 2012. %%
The republishing of classic articles from the past proved to be very popular in the last two Special issues so this time we have devoted almost all of the issue to mining the extensive Model Boats archives to bring readers a selection of some of the very best plan features published over the last 50 years or so. They cover all types of scale models so there is something for modellers of all abilities. They may be oldies but they are certainly still goldies and were written by top class modellers who still have a lot to share in terms of techniques, skills and craftmanship. Moreover, you can buy hulls for many of them if you would prefer the fast track route to completion. And of course there are far more fittings available off the shelf now compared to when these designs orignally appeared.
We are also including a full size free plan of HMS Sheffield, one of Glynn Guest's most impressive projects, yet still well within the ability of the average modeller.
Many current readers will be unfamiliar with much of the material, while those who may remember it will welcome seeing it again and may be prompted to have a go at projects that they would never have attempted when they first appeared!
As a bonus, we are including a full listing of the MHS Model Boat Plan and Hull range although you will need to go online for more detailed descriptions.
The cover and contents page of the Plan Features Special issue can be seen here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/model-boats-plan-feature-special-2012/12747
The Special issue can be pre ordered now using the above link and will be on sale at most branches of W.H. Smith only at the end of August.
Colin
Was passing Smiths at the Trafford centre Today and thought I would see if it was out, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was, saves me an extra trip on the Friday.
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Thank you for the 'heads up' :-))
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Went to my local WH Smiths to get it but they didn't have it :( don't fancy paying the extra for postage!
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I'm still cross eyed from inserting metric equivalents to original dimensions
Why fix it if it ain't broke Colin
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Had to order my copy online as no WH Smith within 120 miles on thursday , arrived today (Saturday) and couldnt believe my eyes , the dispatchers deserve a special mentiuon as most items on line I have to wait a week for due to where I stay (Isle of Skye) Well done all :-))
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Although the 'official' publication date is 26th July, this year's Model Boats Special is now in the shops and has been sent to those who pre ordered it.
Colin
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Dont tell anyone but I got mine at WH Smith on Sunday. Loved the old covers in the back, would make great re-prints big enough to frame, just a thought...
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A lot of the original paintings got thrown out apparently - would you believe it! Previous Editor John Cundell says that Vic Smeed had a couple of them framed and that he has the original of the Sun Tug painting himself. When you look at them closely they were indeed real works of art, and Laurie also did a lot of racing car subjects as well when the magazine had car content.
Colin
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Must get me a copy. :-))
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A lot of the original paintings got thrown out apparently - would you believe it! Previous Editor John Cundell says that Vic Smeed had a couple of them framed and that he has the original of the Sun Tug painting himself. When you look at them closely they were indeed real works of art, and Laurie also did a lot of racing car subjects as well when the magazine had car content.
Colin
I suppose they were considered cover of the month only, not some great works of art. I like the basic colours used. I assume imposed by the printing restrictions or costs of the day. Its a pity we couldn't have a 'Special' with one of those old covers, it would get passed by on the shelves of WH Smith without a second glance...
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Could someone with the magazine tell me what the 'Tramp Steamer' plan is please, I can't quite make it out fom the image? Ta! :(( (http://s20.postimg.org/hxlk7sgzx/image.gif)
Andy
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Could someone with the magazine tell me what the 'Tramp Steamer' plan is please, I can't quite make it out fom the image? Ta! :(( (http://s20.postimg.org/hxlk7sgzx/image.gif)
Andy
It's the SS Balboa which is a Glynn Guest plan from 1990.