General Discussion (Model Railroader)

maxman:

chatanuga:

I initially skim through it, removing the little mailer card inserts.

I'm still trying to figure out how those little mailer card inserts manage not to fall out before the magazine gets to me.

I think it has something to do with state secrets and the angle of the dyanimcs of the universe as the earth spins around the sun in the second quadrant of the hemisphere's magnetic poles are aligned just so ................. Geez I hate those things too !

I typically use my eyes to sense the contrasting light reflected off of the pages, transmitting that information through a series of impulses to my woefully underused grey matter, which then processes and interprets those impulses into language and images that my conscious being understands.

This process usually takes place in my throne room.

An interesting question - one that I have not pondered until now.  It seems that it takes me a month to get through the mag because I always read in bed and after one or two pages, the entire magazine falls on my face. Then I usually wake up a couple hours later, turn off the light and go to sleep - after gently depositing the MR on the floor.  So, a 60 page copy is good for at least a month - sometimes longer.  As far as those annoying little cards, they end up in the recycle bin.

Ibeamlicker:

I usually read it real fast then put it back in my neighbors mailbox.

Thats probably the funniest thing i've seen on the forums so far.

 I second the motion of chatanuga Kevin. I remove the mailer card inserts first. I hate them. They are annoying. Then I read very meticulously from front to back. I will later in each week review to see if I might have missed anything that I would regret later that I would have not wanted to have missed.

I prefer to open my eyes . It varies but I always end up reading every article, front to back, whether it has to do with a scale I'm modeling or not, and usually if I get it in the afternoon right away I have it finished by bed time. Lately it's taken me longer, but I'm trying to pace myself to make it last at least 24 hours. I haven't started anything yet so when I'm done reading and get that itch to go work on the layout, it just ends up making me go shopping for other RRer mags. And then after a few weeks I start going a little because I've already bought and read all the latest model RRer mag issues and have nothing to do. I really need to start on something soon

I usually skim through and dispose of any loose mailers, while making a mental note of anything I might want to read as a priority. Sometimes something grabs me and I have to read it right then. Then I'll usually start from the begining, for a second, slower skim read until something warrants more attention. This time, though, I'll read the editorial, and give almost every article a paragraph or two. If I like it, I'll finish it, If it doesn't fit my era or current project, I'll usually come back and finish it later. I like track plans, especially built ones that have a good description of the operating scheme. I also really like Andy Sperandeo's last page operations column. I think that is a timely addition to the magazine.

Since this thread has a humor sub-thread, I'll direct this in the general direction of mononguy-

One of my favorite t shirts says "Eschew Obfuscation", which loosely translates to-

Avoid using confusing words. Simply beautiful!

What  method?  I read it with my eyes.  :p, skimming from start to finish. In the olden days I used to devour them and read the articles etc.  These days I go to the library because I have lost interest in magazines  for  some reason.  Maybe  the internet is to  blame.  I just skim thru now.  I  do read occasional product reviews tho.

dirtyd79:

Usually if a particular layout or article mentioned on the cover caught my attention I'll look in the table of contents and go there first then come back to other stuff over the course of time. Otherwise I usually read front to back.

Just like the editors want you to.  I bet you're very organized and methodical too.  For myself, I've been working hard for the last half century since my teenage years to be less so.

Mark

1948PRR:

One of my favorite t shirts says "Eschew Obfuscation"

Ah, yes. Takes me back to me college years, and my favorite cheer at football games: "Excel! Excel! Ambulate over the turf!" 

I have a specific order that I employ in an effort to make the magazine "last" as long as possible.

1.  I begin at the front and page through noting articles that look interesting but will not read anything. I also do not read the annoying inserts but  rather throw them away for the same reason I mute all TV commercials (except those shown during the super bowl). When I'm ready to buy something I'll research it prior to purchase. I don't need the intrusion of odd sized peices of paper cluttering up the publication.

2. When I get to Tony Koester's column I read it and then continue paging through the magazine.

3. I find the articles that captured my interest during the initial page through and read them.

4. I read Neil's column, Any Sperandeo's column, and the other editorial and construction columns. I particularly like those by Cody, Jim Hediger, Lionel Strang and Mike Polsgrove.

5. I read articles that appeared to be less interesting on the initial page through. Of prticular interest are those involving large layouts.

6. I read the new products section, the reviews section and skim the ads

7. I go through the entire magazine from front to back reading anything not previously read

8. I may re-read the articles identified in step 3.

 I put it under my pillow at night so all the information will soak into my head. 

 Seriously, three pages on methods to read MR magazine? 

Slightly off topic, but for all those who hate inserts:   I am a reformed, former insert hater.  Inserts have uses applicable to our fine hobby.  

Maybe you have heard of a scenery technique to apply foam or other material to a vertical surface where the foam is put on a piece of folded stiff paper.  You blow on the foam to shoot it on the cliff that has been sprayed with glue or whatever.  Those inserts are absolutely perfect for this. 

If you are spraying glue or adhesive on scenery along the track and want to keep adhesive off the track, hold an insert in one hand over the track and pump the spray bottle with the other. Move the insert as you move along with the spray.  I used to go through the trouble of folding and taping newspaper  - this is easier.   

A technique for airbrushing drip patterns on the side of steam loco tenders or boilers is to make a mask from stiff paper.  When I was weathering my first steam loco a little over a year ago I wanted to try this, and looked all over the house for a piece of cardstock until I spotted the old MRs with inserts....

I also use inserts for bookmarks! 

Oh, and I skim the mag first, then read the most interesting stuff, then read it cover to cover.  The mags sit in the family room for a while for re-reading before going down to the "reference library" in the  basement train room. 

George V.

1948PRR:

I usually skim through and dispose of any loose mailers, while making a mental note of anything I might want to read as a priority. Sometimes something grabs me and I have to read it right then. Then I'll usually start from the begining, for a second, slower skim read until something warrants more attention. This time, though, I'll read the editorial, and give almost every article a paragraph or two. If I like it, I'll finish it, If it doesn't fit my era or current project, I'll usually come back and finish it later. I like track plans, especially built ones that have a good description of the operating scheme. I also really like Andy Sperandeo's last page operations column. I think that is a timely addition to the magazine.

 

Since this thread has a humor sub-thread, I'll direct this in the general direction of mononguy-

One of my favorite t shirts says "Eschew Obfuscation", which loosely translates to-

Avoid using confusing words. Simply beautiful!

Humor Sub thread ?  Me thinks the post has been hi jacked by comedians .