Is it just me, or is PinGame Journal a total waste of a subscription (apart from a nice calendar)?  Clay Harrell's contributions added "some" additional value, but mostly it's a misognistic poorly written wank fest about either some guys love affair with some obscure old pinball, or a boring report about some pinball show that I didn't go to (and could care less about), or a pinball collection to die for that just makes me jealous?  Maybe I'm just a jaded Pr*ck, but I don't really see the value in reading about pinball (other than what I read here on MAACA, of course).  

I have the seven clean past issues here taking up space that are free for the taking, just PM me.  Buy a PinDuster for $20 shipped in Canada and I'll include them in the bundle.

I don't read the mag, but what would you suggest would make it better?  (just curious)

I don't propose making it better, other than repair and mod information (which is best collected on the net) I don't really see a purpose for the magazine. [I'm a fixer, not a player, and certainly not a pinball name dropper.]  (Can you tell I hate wet snow?)  

They should interview designers, and modders. Show how to make your own pin from scratch, how to make mods, fix problems, etc. But most of this stuff is available online anyways, and that's the trouble with ALL magazines now

They could add value by just collecting all the best stuff into the magazine, but I doubt people would pay just for that.

Write a couple of articles and submit them, Wayne. That's what I intend to do.

I agree with you to some extent, though. It really does seem that the content has been a little lacking in recent months. It is a hobbyist magazine, however, and it's only as good as the contributions from people like us.

Corey

never read it before last month, will never buy it again.... $5, 31 pages, almost half of it is publicity, with better informations on the net.
articles are probably from the net, most of it.

got it, went to the bathroom, got out, finish!

there are so many pinballs outhere, restorations, mods and all... i don't understand why they can't get better articles... c'mon 4 pages to explain how they moved 240 pinball machine, gimme a fuc*ing break!.... i mean 31 god damn pages.

oh! and same thing for gameroom magazine... looks much better, but same things month after month, half of it publicity...

bottom line, net much better!

Quoted from cooke

Write a couple of articles and submit them, Wayne. That's what I intend to do.

I agree with you to some extent, though. It really does seem that the content has been a little lacking in recent months. It is a hobbyist magazine, however, and it's only as good as the contributions from people like us.

Corey

We'd be better off compiling a MAACA 'zine featuring our own talent and resources from a Canadian perspective.  

I think gameroom magazine is very well done and I enjoy reading it.

I've only read Pingame for the last 3 issues and I'm not really liking it that much, just seems like a large circle jerk with clay at the helm.  

He has tunnel vision on a lot of things and I really don't like his perspective.  Example was this issue where he went to PAPA, and didn't even cover the freaking tournament.  I mean the whole point of the event is the tournament and all he could talk about was the games.  I thought that was pretty stupid.  

I think it would be better if he broadened his horizons a bit and reported on a greater variety of the shows, similiar to what Rob Craig did this issue in game room magazine.  But Clay is only ever concerned with what he likes and everything else can go screw itself.  

Sorry if this is off-topic but what is a PinDuster?

Quoted from Vengeance

I've only read Pingame for the last 3 issues and I'm not really liking it that much, just seems like a large circle jerk with clay at the helm.    

I have lots of respect for anyone who can pull off a publication such as this and keep it alive...however you should have read it BEFORE Clay got involved.  1000% more of a snore.  But that's only my own personal view and I AM an EM & SS enthusiast.  If you're a DMD fan, you get bits and pices on new machines, and hommages to Stern for staying alive....but that's about it.

Clay (or the original editor, or a new publication) would be better off taking the magazine in the direction of "Preservation, Modification, and the Future of Pinball" rather than waxing poetic about someone's historic pinball related sex acts, or pining for "the good ol' days" (but that's a reflection of the editor).

Quoted from Vengeance

But Clay is only ever concerned with what he likes and everything else can go screw itself.  

WTF - Without Clay I'd be lost.  Who has taken the time to write comprehensive documents like he has for every single system?   Is there some tabloid dirt I don't know about?

I think Adam is talking more personally re Clay's attitudes. I personally liked the magazine when Jim was doing it. Yea, it's ads etc but there were more technical articles like Phoebe's 3 or 4 part series on a Solar Fire restoration, Cliffy's article on varathane for older playfield clearcoating etc. Interviews with designers even if it was Stern games   Now that Clay has taken over, its full of pinup girls(not my style), short stupid articles by him, nothing of substance anymore, More like a Clay promo mag.

Don't get me wrong, From a technical point of view Clay has done a huge service for us collectors but if you ever meet him in person, it is very obvious how full of himself he is. Pompous a** comes to mind!

Now should I tell you how I really feel  

My 0.02 worth
ME

PS Hpefully Jim soon recovers from his illness and starts to produce the mag again and Clay goes back to his repair manuals

I'll take them from you, I was contemplating subscribing but would love to read some first. I already subscribe to gameroom magazine.

I sent you a PM.

Tom

Quoted from Tuborg

WTF - Without Clay I'd be lost.  Who has taken the time to write comprehensive documents like he has for every single system?   Is there some tabloid dirt I don't know about?

I don't dispute how valuable the pinrepair documents are but have you met the man in person?  I have, and to be honest while I appreciate everything he has done, in person, not the greatest guy in the world that's for sure.  I'm with ME on her opinion of him.  

Quoted from medvet

Now that Clay has taken over, its full of pinup girls(not my style), short stupid articles by him, nothing of substance anymore, More like a Clay promo mag.


PS Hpefully Jim soon recovers from his illness and starts to produce the mag again and Clay goes back to his repair manuals

Woah.  I heard nothing about either item.  What's wrong with Jim?

Thanks - I guess I'm glad I let the subscription relapse...

Yes you are a jaded pr*ck.

Now stop reading about pinball and start fixing all that crap you have so you can play it.

See that's what makes MAACA intersting. You won't get that in any Pingame Journal.

Clay can be whoever he wants to be... as long as he keeps paying his web fees for hosting the repair site I could care less how shitty a disposition he may have.

I like the fact that the advertisements are 1-2 months past their event dates....

I agree with what is being said here.  I have been considering whether to renew my subscription or not. I'm currently thinking that I will not renew after reading the last issue, and the one prior to that, and the one prior to that.  The Mag has kind of gone down hill recently.

My Wife looks at it and goes "Got it, Got it, Got it, Had it, Hey!! Never seen that one?? WTF??"  

In fairness, have you looked at Time Magazine lately, At least every second page is an ad. Ridiculous... (No, I don't buy it, but my Father-in-Law gets it.)

If you have to ask what a PinDuster is, you've never lived my friend.

PinDuster is just the best, easiest fantastic way to dust your pin is all.  . I'm working on the BallsDuster right now...  

Thankfully I have a GF at the moment, so my balls don't get too dusty

tomdotcom got lucky, I found an additional 2 issues to send along.  PinDuster and mags in mail today. BallDuster on hold (for now).  

Good deal! Will be some good night shift reading, or from the sounds of it "mediocre" at best reading haha