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"Decent visual media reader; Fatally locked to servers"
Version: Zinio Reader 4.0
Pros
Easy to visually navigate the library.
Lots of icons to aid navigation by those less interested in reading.
Easy to navigate through media visually.
Lots of DRM features for the publisher.Cons
Reader application is locked to media servers.
Mediocre keyboard integration and configurability.
No textual search within media or library.
Backward compatibility is limited.Summary
This has been a popular magazine media display engine/reader for many of the current magazine publishers.
It is especially good for media that uses an intense amount of graphics, though there are a few anomalies (e.g. one configures the "zoom" in a separate menu; it was dynamic in the previous version of the application).
Its support for textual media appears to be more of an afterthought though. There is no textual search mechanism within the media/magazines/books or the library. Jumping to a new page depending upon its visual representation is quite limited in such situations. No mechanism to annotate the media, save annotations, etc.
Finally, there is no "read offline" mode. Without access to the servers, the reader locks during startup, leaving you with no ability to read magazines/media -- not even the ones that you have previously downloaded. Situations like the extended "Site Maintenance" episodes in February/March 2011 demonstrate the futility of using the application without access to the servers or the Internet. Similar restrictions on your access also apply if you should ever decide to close your Zinio account.
In summary, if you are interested in viewing media with a limited lifespan that you will likely not consult much in the future, especially media with lots of images, this is a very decent alternative. If you need to read/manipulate text media or refer/search documents from the past, look elsewhere to satisfy your requirements. -
"Buggy Frustrating slow navigation"
Version: Zinio Reader 4.0
Pros
Pretty pictures, very nice product...in theory
Cons
Buggy, buggy, buggy slow.
Annoying to have them give an email alert to "click here" to download when they really mean is to see all their other magazines to get a sales tour. Ignore any advice given by Zinio, it is just a sales pitch.Summary
I wish Macworld would switch to a different platform. One in 2 issues encounters a download problem of some sort. Crashes or authentication problem. Zinio always claims it is macworld's fault and it never has been once, always Zinio.
It has actually gotten worst if that's possible.
Clunky navigation.
Updated on Nov 1, 2012 -
"Great magazine reader , Ipad and Iphone also."
Version: Zinio Reader 4.0
Pros
Able to store back issues with minimum of space. Works on my IPhone and IPad also.
Cons
Siower page load on IPad, but great detail and clarity.
Summary
I have several years of back issues I can refer to, and no need to keep clutter around the house. Web links are great. Love the IPad edition. Have subscribed to several new magazines since that came out.
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"Don't Bother"
Version: Zinio Reader 4.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Zinio v4 is a waste of time. Lots of missing features. Yes it is a beta but basic features that were in v3 gone. You can't move from page to page with the arrow keys, No full screen button, the cover images stay the same size no matter how you resize your window. The new zoom feature make the text look to blurry .... Tried it out for a few hours and then went back to v3. Same your time and don't upgrade -
"Slow, buggy, not Mac-like"
Version: Zinio Reader 4.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Turning pages takes a couple of seconds, not very snappy. Can't seem to quit using Command-Q, even though that's listed in the menu. I have to use the close button on the window. I don't know where this reader keeps its files. Their FAQs say it's in the Zinio library in the home folder. I've searched my entire boot partition for "zinio" and the only result is the reader application. I've looked in Documents and all subfolders inside, Music, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures -- all folders inside my home folder, even Application Support. I can't find it or any .zno files. They've hidden these files very well. There's also no option to change the file path from the preferences, which is an Air popup rather than a standard prefs window called from the menu bar. It works okay, but needs a lot of refinement.
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