TMA Digital Edition:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Scroll down to see:
- how current TMA print subscribers can activate TMA’s Digital Edition
- how to register for digital TMA
- how to operate the digital flipbook
- how non-subscribers can purchase digital-only subscriptions
Please read this information before contacting our office for help.
If you have questions that are not addressed here, please e-mail them to us at digital@mountainastrologer.com or call us at (530) 477-8839 during business hours, Pacific Time. We will continue to update this FAQ list as we get more user questions. We appreciate your patience in that process.
Here is the most common FAQ:
What if the pdf links for each article don’t download properly, or a “network error” message appears?
If you are using Internet Explorer as your browser, you may have problems with pdf downloading of your TMA articles. You can try another browser, or here is the fix for Internet Explorer issues:
1. In Adobe, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. Under ‘Internet’, make sure the box for ‘Display PDF in browser’ is unchecked. Click OK to save your changes.
2. If you use Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu and click on ‘Manage Add-ons’. Then, click on Adobe Reader and click the Disable button. I think this should disable the built-in Reader in Internet Explorer, so PDFs will have to open in Reader instead of in the browser.
3. In Google Chrome, use this link and follow Google’s instructions on loading PDFs.
4. if you use Firefox as your browser, go to Preferences in Firefox and find “Add-Ons.” This is probably in the general preferences panel. Then, click on the “Add-Ons” tab. Scroll through the list of add-ons. Find and disable the Adobe Acrobat NPAPl Plug-in.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Does the TMA digital edition have exactly the same content as the print magazine?
Yes, except for extra color that was added to the digital edition. In the future we may offer expanded article content, and/or extra chart wheels that there was not room for in the print version. We may also add special audio features in 2012.
When will the digital edition be posted each time?
It will appear about a month before the issue date. (Example: It will post on November 1st for the Dec/Jan issue.) We will send an e-mail each time a new issue is posted.
What if my e-mail address changes or I want to change my password?
Just keep it updated in your profile, available to you when you are logged in. (Use the “Membership Details” link just above the Logout link to update your profile or change your password.)
What if I forget my user name or password?
There is a link just under the log-in area that will accept either your user name or your e-mail address. You will then be e-mailed a link to create a new password for yourself. (If you request a new password and the email doesn’t arrive, be sure to look in your Spam or Junk folder.)
Can I bookmark the URL for the flipbooks in my Web browser?
We recommend that you bookmark the Web page that contains the links to the flipbooks, but if you are not logged in, you will get the non-member error message, and will need to log in first.
Why are there no digital issues available before Aug/Sept 2011?
We just started creating digital issues as a free subscriber benefit with the Aug/Sept 2011 issue. In the future, we may make selected back issues available, so watch for announcements on the “Coming Soon” page.
Why shouldn’t I share my user name and password with a friend?
It is important not to share your user name and password with others outside your household. If you do, it may prevent you from being able to access your own account, for example, if someone else logged on first using your information.
Can I use different computers, smart phones, and other devices to gain access to my account?
Yes, as long as you have access to the Web and use your user name and password, you’ll be able to get access to the links to your digital flipbooks. If you get an error message saying you’ve exceeded the number of log-ins permitted for that day, please contact our office.
VIEWING THE DIGITAL TMA FLIPBOOK and PDFs
How do I enlarge the flipbook pages?
Zoom in by clicking once anywhere on any page. After you do this, a zoom lever shows up along the bottom edge (on the right side). You can zoom further with that. You can also resize the window the flipbook appears in to fill your computer monitor. To un-zoom, click once anywhere on the page you are viewing.
How do I turn the flipbook pages?
On a regular computer, you can click on the corner of a page, or click-and-drag the corner of the page, or use the navigation “arrow” buttons just under the flipbook.
How long should it take to load the flipbook pages? What if some pages don’t appear?
That depends on your Internet connection speed. If you have DSL or Cable (high speed) Internet, when the TMA flipbook is first opened, it should take less than 20 seconds to see the cover page and instruction page. As you turn pages, some pages may take a few seconds to load, while others will be instantaneous. If any pages seem to be taking too long to load, consider returning to them a few minutes later. There have been cases where a page or two won’t load, but will then load after a few minutes, or will load quickly when using a different Web browser. Other times, closing and re-launching the flipbook solves the problem of sluggish page loading. We have also provided an alternate link to the flipbook, just below the main link, which will in most cases speed up the loading of pages.
What if the flipbook doesn’t load at all, or freezes with 0% displayed?
If it doesn’t load at all after a minute or two on high-speed Internet, and you are on a Mac or PC computer with a relatively up-to-date browser, try reloading the flipbook. If there are still problems, make sure that “Flash” is enabled in your browser preferences. If you have an alternate browser, try that browser. Then, consider trying to access it with your anti-virus software disabled, to see if that is the problem (if it is, change the settings in your anti-virus software).
Can I print pages out on my printer?
Yes. To print just a few pages at a time directly from the flipbook, use the print button that appears above the flipbook and select any page range you want (we suggest printing 15 pages or less at a time). If this doesn’t work well with your printer, or if you want to download and print pdf files of individual articles — or columns, such as the forecast section — see the links provided on the page that appears after you first log in, the page you use to access the TMA flipbooks. These links are listed below the main flipbook links. You will be able to save these pdf files to your computer and then print them.
What other flipbook features should I be aware of?
You will be able to click on any URL (Web address) in the text (or in any ad) and be taken to that Web site, in a new browser window. The same applies to all e-mail addresses in the magazine; they are all live-linked. You’ll be able to bookmark any page of interest and create “sticky” notes that will persist from one viewing to another (when using the same computer).
You can do a magazine-wide search for any word or phrase, and all instances will be listed. The search words that are “found” will be highlighted in yellow when you go to that page. You can control the page-flipping sound using the “Settings” button. You can view one page at a time or a two-page spread using the “Switch Page” feature.
Can I save the flipbook to my computer?
No, it is designed to be viewable while you are online. However, you can download all the individual articles in pdf format, not from the flipbook, but using the links on the page where the links to the flipbook are accessed. These pdf files do not have all the features of the flipbook, but they are a convenient way to save any articles of interest to your computer, so you can access them while you are not online, and print them more easily. Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 7 or higher, is required. This program can be downloaded for free from the Internet (just Google “Adobe Acrobat Reader” to get to Adobe’s site, and follow instructions).
Can I view digital TMA using my iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch, or Blackberry?
Yes, as long as they provide a Web browser (there are no APPS available at this time). But not all our flipbook features are enabled or work perfectly on all of these mobile devices and tablet computers. Try it out and see. If there is any problem, make sure Javascript is enabled on your device. We recommend you use a computer with an up-to-date browser to get the most out of digital TMA.
Will this flipbook software translate digital TMA into other languages?
Yes. Look for the “translate” icon on the top bar of the flipbook window. You can select a page to roughly translate (one page at a time) into any of 100 languages, using the Google Translate function.
What if the pdf links for each article don’t download properly, or a “network error” message appears?
If you are using Internet Explorer as your browser, you may have problems with pdf downloading of your TMA articles. You can try another browser, or here is the fix for Internet Explorer issues:
1. In Adobe, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. Under ‘Internet’, make sure the box for ‘Display PDF in browser’ is unchecked. Click OK to save your changes.
2. In Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu and click on ‘Manage Add-ons’. Then, click on Adobe Reader and click the Disable button. I think this should disable the built-in Reader in Internet Explorer, so PDFs will have to open in Reader instead of in the browser.
3. In Google Chrome, use this link and follow Google’s instructions on loading PDFs.
4. if you use Firefox as your browser, go to Preferences in Firefox and find “Add-Ons.” This is probably in the general preferences panel. Then, click on the “Add-Ons” tab. Scroll through the list of add-ons. Find and disable the Adobe Acrobat NPAPl Plug-in.
FOR CURRENT PRINT SUBSCRIBERS
I am a current TMA print magazine subscriber. How do I register for my free Digital TMA?
If you are a current (or brand new) print subscriber, you’ll be able to fill out a quick registration form and gain access to the digital edition after you verify your e-mail address (by clicking on a link we will e-mail to you).
Here are the steps:
1) Click on the big red button that says “TMA Digital Edition” on our home page, www.mountainastrologer.com
2) Then, on our “Welcome” page, click on the link that says “Register here” for current print subscribers.
3) Fill out the registration form, choose a user name and password, read and agree to the Terms of Service, then “Submit Registration.” (If you can’t read the two words in the anti-spam “ReCaptcha” box, select new words with the “red arrows” button until you find some you can read.)
4) Look for an e-mail sent to the e-mail address you used to register (check Spam folder if you don’t see it). Give it a few minutes, but it should only take a few seconds. Click on the designated link in that verification e-mail.
5) You will be automatically directed to the place where your digital issues are posted. There will always be at least one digital issue ready to view.
What if I can’t find my verification e-mail?
In the unlikely event that you can’t find the e-mail we sent in step #4 above, within 20 minutes, after checking your spam folder, and you are sure your e-mail is working properly, go ahead and e-mail us at digital@mountainastrologer.com (using the same e-mail address you registered with) and we’ll verify it for you, as soon as we can.
Will I lose access to my digital magazines if I fail to renew my print subscription?
No. If you were a print subscriber when you gained access to an issue, you will keep access.
If I am a current print subscriber, and I have received a renewal notice, how long will I still qualify to see the Digital Edition?
Your access to digital issues will match the print issues you’ve received. If you don’t renew, you’ll still keep access to all the digital issues you “earned” by keeping your print subscription active. If you don’t renew your print subscription, you’ll miss out on both the print and digital versions of future issues, unless you buy a subscription as a digital-only subscriber.
Can I switch from a print subscription to a digital-only subscription, to save paper? How would I do that?
Yes, but we prefer that you wait until you have used the digital version long enough to know you want to switch. You will receive a prorated credit for any unmailed issues remaining in your print subscription. Rather than issue a refund for the price difference, we will add the appropriate number of issues to your digital-only subscription, if applicable.
To switch, first make sure you are registered for the free version of TMA Digital Edition, then send an e-mail to us at digital@mountainastrologer.com and give us your existing user name as well as your name and address. We will reply by e-mail within a few days and let you know what your new digital expiration date is. Then, when it is time to renew your digital-only subscription, you’ll receive an e-mailed renewal notice.
DIGITAL-ONLY SUBSCRIPTIONS
Can I buy a digital-only subscription to TMA?
Yes, if you are not already a print subscriber. Just click on the big red button that says “TMA Digital Edition” on The Mountain Astrologer’s home page, www.mountainastrologer.com Then click on the appropriate link. You will be taken to our shopping cart check-out screen, where you can use any major credit card to order a 1-year digital-only subscription for US$33, regardless of what country you live in. Your digital-only subscription will always include the issue that is current at the time you subscribe. It will allow you immediate access to view the current issue of The Mountain Astrologer, a total of seven issues (depending on when in our publishing cycle you subscribe, the most recent back issue may be one of those seven issues). Renewing digital subscriptions will receive a total of six issues, added on to the date your subscription left off.
After your credit card clears, you will go automatically to the registration page, where you can select a user name and password. Once you submit the registration, it will take you directly to the page where the current digital issue is posted, and one click from there gets you to the flipbook.
After all your issues (one year) are posted, you will receive a renewal notice from us via e-mail. You will retain access to any issue that you have viewed, even if you don’t renew.
Can I buy just one digital issue at a time, or digital back issues?
No, we are not currently set up to sell single copies of digital TMA. If that changes, we will make an announcement.
What if digital TMA doesn’t work well on my computer, or I don’t like it, and want a refund?
If you want to purchase digital-only TMA, we suggest that you “try before you buy” using the Free Sample Issue we have posted on our home page, www.mountainastrologer.com, and make sure it works well with any computers, browsers, and devices you plan to use to access the flipbooks.
If you do request a refund, we’ll credit the same credit card you used to purchase digital TMA with a pro-rated amount based on the number of issues purchased, price you paid, and how many issues were not yet posted at the time of your refund request. Once they are posted, they are accessible and therefore considered viewable by you, whether you actually view them or not. And you will keep access to all issues that you paid for.
In most cases, you’ll have an option to switch to physical delivery of the printed magazine instead of a refund, although if foreign postage is necessary the new print subscription won’t be for as many issues as your digital-only subscription was.
What if I want both the print edition and the digital edition, but I am not a print subscriber, or I’m not sure if my subscription has expired?
If you are not a current print subscriber, the way to get both print and digital is to first purchase a new print subscription via our website, here: www.mountainastrologer.com/order.html Your new print subscription will then qualify you for free access to digital TMA; you can then follow the 5-step directions given above for registering for access to digital TMA.
If you are not sure about your subscriber status, please e-mail the office at digital@mountainastrologer.com and provide your name and address, and whether you’ve moved in the last year or two.
Can I buy a digital-only gift subscription for a friend?
Yes, but to do so, please contact our office at digital@mountainastrologer.com
ABOUT RENEWALS
• To renew your existing print subscription, after receiving a notice from TMA, go here: www.mountainastrologer.com/order.html Then, register for digital TMA by following the 5-step process posted above. (If you have already registered for digital TMA, you will not need to re-register every time you renew; you can use your same user name and password.)
• To change your existing print subscription into a digital-only subscription at renewal time, simply do not renew your print subscription. Then, purchase a digital-only subscription online, as explained above, after you have received your final print issue.
