How many of us still subscribe to FHB. My sub ran out with the Jan issue, and honestly I dont know if i’m going to renew. I really dont have alot of magazine reading time.
The other reason is how many times can you really read a circ saw review or an article about installing a new window. I’m by no means a “master” anything but i’ve noticed this with other magazines i’ve gotten in the past. There is really only so much to write about any given subject.
Am I alone on this or what? Who still subscribes?
Replies
I have a few years left on my subscription, but it won't be renewed.
JLC I read once thoroughly, FHB I read through looking for something that isn't there anymore.
But, I can pick up a 20 year old FHB and spend an hour or more without losing interest.
Somethings been lost over the years, wonder if anyone at Taunton has noticed?
Joe H
But, I can pick up a 20 year old FHB and spend an hour or more without losing interest.
oou, what you said, what you said, what you said
I subscribe, but have been wondering why for the last 4-5 years - I did like the article on Montpelier - they could have spent half the issue on that and it would have been an improvement over the fluff that takes up much of the content now -
I think I'll my let FHB go and pick up FWW instead -
the thought has occured to me recently, after reading rez's posts on the precarious/declining/collapsing housebuilding industry, that FHB was birthed in the depths of a building recession - perhaps the mag will bring back features of interest when building is again a labor of love rather than an 'investment' -
I still browse the first 100 issues every winter....
I traded my FWW subscription for FHB when Taunton first brought FHB out. Now I barely glance at it. Read the "Moments" , the tips and techniques, occasionally a story will catch me. It just isn't the same magazine, nor is it being marketed or aimed at the same people it once was. Can't really explain it , but to me it is if you read "HOUSE" and could personally identify with the "Apple Corps" you probably had a subscription back then.
my .02
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
I have a subscription
I had let mine lapse several years ago--but in a moment of insanity this fall I renewed it.- big mistake---- i will let it expire--and pick up FWW
however--------ALSO this past fall----someone here on Breaktime offered a bunch of Back issues for sale-----so i bought most of them---EXCELLENT deal-- i now have pretty much the complete set---1--present.
since i renewed the subscription--2 new magazines have come---both unread
but the OLD ones--those I am reading through and studying like text books!!!
( I am on issue 21 currently)
the ONLY thing better in the newer magazines is the quality of the photos------the written content however is laughably inferior--- as are the implications.
looking at the latest FHB---the cover story is something like "fake stone with real appeal"
compared to the older issues------EVERY one had something REAL-and real good---Timberframing, leaded glass,real plaster, building classical trim details-with authentic materials, slate roofing,roof thatching( I swear I ain't making that up!!!), actual stone work with actual stones, usually a pretty cool in depth look at a cool older house,-excellent tips--and so forth
clearly--------the magazine today---is aimed at someone VERY different then those it aimed for 25 years ago
you would think it would bother a producer to find out people prefer their tattered products from 25 years ago--to the current offering-----but it doesn't seem to bother FHB in the slightest.
BTW---occasionally-- people here on breaktime complain about the amount of ads in the new issues----and an FHB editor pops in to claim they have not changed the ad content
well let me tell ya--- i am reading the old issues plenty closely----and there were WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY less ads--and BETTER content
I am keeping my eyes open for which issue vinyl siding appears-----because I suspect that will signal the beginning of the downward slide
( hmmm which issue did FHB "jump the shark" ?)
Stephen
Since you brought up the "Fake Stone" issue, I'm gonna call your attention to something. The building industry is changing and always has been. I don't particularly like fake stone, but it's here and I have to deal with it. I can't imagine myself saying "Sorry, you've got fake stone on your house. I'm afraid I can't install a copper roof on it".
Most of us that lament the changing of FHB got hooked on it early on in it's life and we were early on in our careers and our minds were sponges. Now our brains are getting filled up and we just make room for special stuff. I don't spend near as much time with each issue as I did, but I did find the fake stone article somewhat informative. I didn't really want to read it. It was kind of like studing for an exam that I had to take. Necessary info to me, but not interesting.
There's only so many articles that need to be written on tearing shingles off or flashing chimneys or timber framing and so on and a lot of us use those old issues as reference books. We've gotten old and set in our ways and don't want anything to change but it always does.
I'm gonna keep my subscription. I don't get as excited when I see a new issue as I once did, but that may also be because I can get info from so many places. I didn't have the internet when I started reading FHB. Now I can get so much info about so many subjects, that magazine doesn't hold the luster that it once did, but I still get a little excited when I see it in my mailbox.http://grantlogan.net/
My mother once said to me, "Elwood" -- she always called me Elwood -- "Elwood, in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." For years I tried smart. I recommend pleasant.
Elwood P. Dowde (James Stewart), "Harvey"
grant--
i am well aware ofwhat you are pointing out
but having these old issues in hand( some of which i originally read atthe public library as a college student)---it's pretty clear that there was at the begining a greater emphasis on traditional materials-on existing houses--on restoration--on re-use,re-cycling-etc.--compared with todays issues that are much more interested in NEW construction
no secret here-- i have ZERO interest in new construction-in fact very little interest in anything much built after WWII
so-todays issues--not very interesting to me
the issues 20-25 years ago--much more pertinent to me personally
BTW--looking at an issue at lunch today with an article" Rebuilding a Mudejar Ceiling"-----you would never see anything like that in todays FHB.
also BTW----I admidt i find some iffy stuff in the old magazines also--some stuff that is Soooooo 70's/80's that i just gotta laugh
also have to laugh--'cause peole have been bitching about this magazine almost from the git-go----after 13 issues the magazine changed the font on the cover---and of course somebody had to write in to complain, LOL
stephen
I'm betting the print run numbers now are way much larger compared to back when and thus the sales dollars have increased dramatically as well.
They must follow the money trail where numbers rule the roost and now it's a juggle to try to keep everyone happy and content if that's possible.
A random pre ish#100 off the shelf (No.93, $5.95 coverprice in 1995 dollars) has an esoteric York, Pennsylvania building in the shape of a giant shoe on the backcover, 6 page Montana Rockies 'A House of Recycled Timber' with a pic of someone using a woodmizer, 'Finishing Touches' has esoteric artforms of gutters and downspouts, a six page photo/diagram spread of Installing a kitchen sink, 4 page photo shoot 'Making a Plaster Molding, 6 pages on construction waste recycling, 4 pages building a fireplace mantel, 6 pages tear down for new construction article, 4 pages Framing a Dutch Roof, 4 pages on A Dining Deck, 6 page survey of Biscuit Joiners and 6 pages on Siting a House, all back to back and uninterrupted by advertisements.
Is that better than today's issues?
Edited 12/18/2007 12:58 pm ET by rez
rez---------it's absolutely better than todays issues.
in my opinion
stephen
Obviously, the magazine is aimed at the homeimprovement masses. I'm sure they figured out that most professional tradesmen don't read or further their technical skills.I think I subscribed one year sometime back in the 70's or 80's. I was so focused on framing though that most of the magazine didn't apply to me. When an article appeared, it was done by someone like Larry Haun, who was stick building or "jungle framing". Instantly, my opinion of his "advanced" fast framing methods seemed like third world thinking and that pretty much ruined it for me. I came here a few years ago after I discovered the internet in search of more in depth discussion involving framing problems and solutions. I have not been disappointed. I"ve learned a lot. That isn't possible in a magazine aimed at homeowners. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Obviously, the magazine is aimed at the homeimprovement masses. I'm sure they figured out that most professional tradesmen don't read or further their technical skills.
Maybe that's what's wrong with the industry these days, professionals should always be looking for new ideas, methods, techniques, products, systems, etc. or they're not pro's!! Learning is part of the game! I subscribe, and just renewed for 3yrs. No, it's not the same mag as in the begining, but that doesn't mean it's still not a worthwhile tool, I don't use an Adz every day, but it makes me a better tradesman knowing what it is and what it was used for, that knowledge may or may not be usefull someday, and I would rather have that knowledge to draw on than not. It sounds like the kid back in high school who didn't want to learn Trig. " I'm never gonna need that!" , well without trig. he can't understand how to square a slab, or figure a rafter cut, 'cause of course no-one can use a framing square anymore either!
There's enough info and technology and "old methods" out there that I will never learn all there is to learn, besides who's going to teach the newbies the "right" way to do things.....i.e. " with pride, integrity, and care of workmanship"
Geoff
I don't use an Adz every day,
I use the Adz every day. How else would I know what to buy?........................http://grantlogan.net/
My mother once said to me, "Elwood" -- she always called me Elwood -- "Elwood, in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." For years I tried smart. I recommend pleasant.
Elwood P. Dowde (James Stewart), "Harvey"
I sit on my adz all day
what are you talking about? reading your adz?
LOL!
Geoff, if you are making the case that tradesmen have the responsibility to keep up their skills and knowledge, I agree. I don't think you can make the case that FHB is the go to publication at this point in time for pros in residential. The format of the written publication combined with the financial challenges of publishing force them to cater to the masses with content that would be better used by homeowners. They certainly do include some elements that appeal to pros but not to the extent that they did back in their formative years.It's the nature of the beast....old timers pining about the good old days. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07