How large is a typical MRH issue?

Short answer: A full-size issue of about 100 pages of articles and columns, plus 20 pages of ads approaches 100 megabytes (issue 1 was almost 80 MB). We produce two versions - an EMBEDDED Edition with the best quality graphics and all rich media embedded - and a STANDARD version (20 MB or less) for quick download, Macs and Linux.

Long answer: We produce two versions of our rich media PDF magazine: the EMBEDDED Edition running circa 100 megabytes and a STANDARD Edition that's less than 20 megabytes. The STANDARD Edition has more compressed graphics and you view the rich media via a browser over the internet, so it's not quite as nice visually.

The STANDARD Edition is also very Mac and Linux friendly, viewable on Macs using only preview and readable using an Adobe Reader as old as version 7.

The EMBEDDED Edition requires you use Adobe Reader 9 in order to see all the rich media goodies, which is not insignificant to download and install. But at least Adobe Reader 9 is free - just like our magazine. The other wrinkle is the interactive Flash Media in a PDF doesn't work very well on the Mac Leopard OS - so Mac users are advised to download the STANDARD Edition unless you are a Mac techy who likes to experiment.

We know of Mac Leopard users who have gotten the EMBEDDED Edition to work perfectly on their Macs - but they had to jump through some technical hoops to get it working. Unless you're adventurous, we recommend Mac Leopard users download the STANDARD Edition.

Our recommendation for readers on a dial up line is to find a fellow model railroader who has a fast internet connection and who lives near you. Have him or her download the EMBEDDED Edition, plus the install for Adobe Reader 9 and burn it to CD for you. Model Railroad Hobbyist is free, so why not? In fact, we encourage you to burn copies to CD and give them away.