I agree 100%.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
Like others here, I'm a past subscriber.
I intially subscribed a few years back , found it useful , but hated the flash interface which did not scale at all well for the 12" MacBook I had at that time.
Then last year, I subscribed again, and was disgusted to find the flash interface was no better.
I could only bare to look at the site when I needed to find something out - casual reading is impossible.
The text font is too large and side by side comparison of images is impossible due to the stupid frame size.
I let the subscription lapse, but I did email him to say exactly why hoping the message would sink in.
"Flash Support On Apple iPhones, iPads, etc.
Apple, unfortunately, has not yet chosen to support Flash with portable devices like the iPad. We're hopeful that this support might come in the future now that various iPad competitors are coming to market. At present, however, iPad owners are unable to use these devices to directly access millions of Flash web sites, including Reid Reviews.*
Flash allows Reid Reviews to maintain a degree of content security (imperfect though it may be) without requiring subscribers to install security keys on their computers. Having recently looked at the various alternatives to Flash, we've found no even partially secure options that don't require the reader to install special software and/or use security keys on a fixed number of computers. In its current Flash format, Reid Reviews can be read on most modern computers that include a monitor resolution of at least*1152 x 670 pixels and which have a high speed connection to the Internet. The only software needed is the free Adobe Flash player that many computers already have installed. So readers can access their accounts on computers at work, at home, while travelling, etc.
Setting aside the question of Flash support, moreover, many of the articles on the site are best viewed on a well-calibrated monitor - especially the technical reviews. As an alternative to the iPad, we recommend photographers consider a Macbook Air which supports Flash and which can be calibrated. Equipped with the same amount of solid state storage as a 64 GB iPad, an 11" Macbook Air currently cost about $300 more. It supports Flash and both screen sizes work very well for viewing Reid Reviews. Apple has integrated many "iPad like" features in the new Macbook Air models and will soon be introducing an "App" store for Macintosh computers. But, of course, the Macbook Air can also run standard software like Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, etc. Like an iPad, a Macbook Air is a very light and compact device but its design gives one both an actual keyboard and screen protection (when the computer is closed). So for many photographers it may prove to be a much more versatile option. For more on this topic see:"
I hate his head in the sand response to flash - basically telling people to live with it and for those with iPads to go buy something else.
I intially subscribed a few years back , found it useful , but hated the flash interface which did not scale at all well for the 12" MacBook I had at that time.
Then last year, I subscribed again, and was disgusted to find the flash interface was no better.
I could only bare to look at the site when I needed to find something out - casual reading is impossible.
The text font is too large and side by side comparison of images is impossible due to the stupid frame size.
I let the subscription lapse, but I did email him to say exactly why hoping the message would sink in.
"Flash Support On Apple iPhones, iPads, etc.
Apple, unfortunately, has not yet chosen to support Flash with portable devices like the iPad. We're hopeful that this support might come in the future now that various iPad competitors are coming to market. At present, however, iPad owners are unable to use these devices to directly access millions of Flash web sites, including Reid Reviews.*
Flash allows Reid Reviews to maintain a degree of content security (imperfect though it may be) without requiring subscribers to install security keys on their computers. Having recently looked at the various alternatives to Flash, we've found no even partially secure options that don't require the reader to install special software and/or use security keys on a fixed number of computers. In its current Flash format, Reid Reviews can be read on most modern computers that include a monitor resolution of at least*1152 x 670 pixels and which have a high speed connection to the Internet. The only software needed is the free Adobe Flash player that many computers already have installed. So readers can access their accounts on computers at work, at home, while travelling, etc.
Setting aside the question of Flash support, moreover, many of the articles on the site are best viewed on a well-calibrated monitor - especially the technical reviews. As an alternative to the iPad, we recommend photographers consider a Macbook Air which supports Flash and which can be calibrated. Equipped with the same amount of solid state storage as a 64 GB iPad, an 11" Macbook Air currently cost about $300 more. It supports Flash and both screen sizes work very well for viewing Reid Reviews. Apple has integrated many "iPad like" features in the new Macbook Air models and will soon be introducing an "App" store for Macintosh computers. But, of course, the Macbook Air can also run standard software like Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, etc. Like an iPad, a Macbook Air is a very light and compact device but its design gives one both an actual keyboard and screen protection (when the computer is closed). So for many photographers it may prove to be a much more versatile option. For more on this topic see:"
I hate his head in the sand response to flash - basically telling people to live with it and for those with iPads to go buy something else.
Adanac
Well-known
I'm a web application developer and decidedly anti-flash for my own applications. I am not anti-flash in the sense that I'm anti-Reid Reviews. I subscribe to Sean's service.
I don't like the flash interface of Sean's site either, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating the content whatsoever.
Sean has made a business decision and adopted a technical solution which in one fell swoop makes it less likely his content will be quoted in bulk and pushed out on to the free web. That is his prerogative. People are free to subscribe or not. Relative to the products being analysed, the cost is quite modest.
Why so much angst?
I don't like the flash interface of Sean's site either, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating the content whatsoever.
Sean has made a business decision and adopted a technical solution which in one fell swoop makes it less likely his content will be quoted in bulk and pushed out on to the free web. That is his prerogative. People are free to subscribe or not. Relative to the products being analysed, the cost is quite modest.
Why so much angst?
andrewteee
Established
The issue for me is that Reid's articles are quite lengthy and I'd like to be able to print them and read offline. Can't do that. Still, I grin and bear it because I like his articles. In my view, if anyone is willing to pay for his content (many aren't) then they are also willing to accept his decision to use Flash.
I used to use ClickToFlash on the Mac, but Safari no longer supports such plugins. It was great! No more Flash ads and battery life went way up.
I used to use ClickToFlash on the Mac, but Safari no longer supports such plugins. It was great! No more Flash ads and battery life went way up.
maggieo
More Deadly
I'd love to see a Reid Reviews iOS app, sort of like The New Yorker's.
I like that idea, Maggie. I'm already a subscriber, and I'd pay for that convenience. Hope he's listening. 
I use FlashBlock plugin on FireFox, which gives control over viewing Flash content.
I use FlashBlock plugin on FireFox, which gives control over viewing Flash content.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
I'd MUCH rather borrow my souse's iPad and read the site on that, than suffer with the hideous flash implementation on either of my late model Macs. Good content; disgusting interface. I will not renew with the current interface.
ramosa
B&W
Doug said:I like that idea, Maggie. I'm already a subscriber, and I'd pay for that convenience. Hope he's listening.
I use FlashBlock plugin on FireFox, which gives control over viewing Flash content.
Ditto. I loved the information, but gave it up because I hated the design and interface.
maggieo
More Deadly
Sean's site reminds me of Tape Op magazine- lots of great information, but the layout makes it difficult to parse sometimes.
Sean, if you're reading, an iOS app would be a huge plus for this current subscriber. Maybe Ben Syverson could help you code it?
Sean, if you're reading, an iOS app would be a huge plus for this current subscriber. Maybe Ben Syverson could help you code it?