stainlessb
Member 
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,906
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Jun 26, 2020 0:53:48 GMT
and another thing...!!!
Does not Scott, S G , Michel, etc., recognize that quite possibly the majority of hard core stamp enthusiasts are older and reading such small print is taxing as hell!!
there, I've said it
For what they charge, use a larger font!!
I have to scan pages to make larger or read with a magnifying glass (and my eyesight may not be the 20/20 it once was..but really now?!?)
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khj
Member
Posts: 1,524 
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Post by khj on Jun 26, 2020 1:51:30 GMT
I hear you Stan! I can't wear bifocals, and switching between my reading glasses and my regular glasses is such a hassle. So I've slowly been digitizing the more frequently used parts of my philatelic library.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,698
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jun 26, 2020 10:47:15 GMT
I did scan my SG Concise pages and enlarge to letter size to print. SG prints on better paper (less glossy, less translucent than Scott).
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khj
Member
Posts: 1,524
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Post by khj on Jun 26, 2020 15:51:54 GMT
The early color Scott Classic was not on the current glossy paper. I used color pencil on my 1999 (before colorization) and my 2004 (after colorization) to mark inventory. The paper on my 2004 is actually better quality paper than on their standard catalogs. After that they switched to glossy paper for color WW Standard catalogs. Once they used the glossy paper, couldn't use the color pencil anymore. With my degrading eyesight, now the glare from the glossy pages becomes a greater problem. Yet another reason for me to go digital...
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Jun 26, 2020 17:42:37 GMT
Hi khj A friend had an overlay that reduced the glare from glossy paper. I think he got it from an art supply store. Check it out. There is a"magnifier" overlay also. I misplaced the one I had so I am going to have to look for another. Both are 8-1/2 x 11. I guess the catalog manufacturers are now printing for lilliputian market  The "magnifier" overlay I mentioned above solves that problem. No squinting through a magnifier. Jerry B |
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khj
Member
Posts: 1,524
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Post by khj on Jun 26, 2020 19:27:36 GMT
Thanks for the suggestion Jerry! Yes, those overlays are pretty effective. I remember the days when you could get one to mount on the CRT monitor glass screen -- before they started to produce monitors with anti-glare coatings.
I don't use the hand held overlays for the Scott catalog because I'm usually holding the stamp with one hand and flipping through Scott catalog pages with the other. So now, I digitize stuff I use frequently and just view the catalogs/books/journals on my monitor, using the arrow keys to flip pages. Also saves a lot of desk/bookshelf space!
I can't use the magnifier overlays for the same reason I cannot wear bifocals -- I'll get a headache. It's an eye problem that I was likely born with, as I don't ever recall having normal vision. First time I wore glasses in 1st grade, I suddenly realized how people could recognize me and wave at me from a distance when I couldn't even make out their face! I have an optometrist/opthamologist who specialized in childhood eye disorders in college, and she agrees that I'm sort of stuck using separate glasses for near/far-field correction instead of bifocals.
I work with seniors a lot, so I end up getting samples or purchasing some full-page magnifier overlays to give to seniors. I also have an all-in-one bar magnifier with small round magnifier at end. Designed for reading, it turns out quite useful for stamps (both the bar & round magnifiers)!
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Jun 27, 2020 9:39:01 GMT
Hi khj
I guess your eye disorder rules out one those headband magnifiers also. Bummer.
I cannot wear bifocals either. I have one pair for close up and one pair for distance. To read, or look at the screen, I don't wear any glasses at all!
Jerry B
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,698
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jun 27, 2020 11:37:13 GMT
I have progressives (no line bifocals) but they really do not work that well. The distance for reading vs a computer vs distance is different so no happy compromise. When I use catalogs, I need a lot of light.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Jun 27, 2020 15:04:42 GMT
I have had progressive bifocals for 25 years now. But I find reading the fine print of the newspaper (on my iPad) and using the iPad or phone means taking them off is easier. As my head moves, text doesn't blur and come back in focus. It's much easier for me that way.
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cjoprey
Member
Scanning stamps for my website...
Posts: 1,504
What I collect: Belgium (predominantly), British Commonwealth (older ones), WW (whatever comes my way...)
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Post by cjoprey on Jun 27, 2020 17:00:32 GMT
I've been using varifocals for a few years now - and all my catalogues are digital so I can zoom in as much as I need to!  Had to visit the opticians today for an updated prescription and caved to getting varifocals for non-work such as driving and watching telly, and separate "occupational" glasses for my daily work on computers... |
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khj
Member
Posts: 1,524
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Post by khj on Jun 29, 2020 0:05:34 GMT
Bottom line is that if Scott can produce better & affordable digital products, it benefits the young tech-savvy and us older less eyeball-savvy collectors!
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,655
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Aug 10, 2020 16:00:18 GMT
Yeah - I thought Roy Hamilton-Bowen might be stepping down. Darn! That Hibernian is the Irish philatelist's bible. I have the last five editions, too.
As to numbering Irish stamps - I'm using Michel from now on - actually plan to phase out all Scott numbering. Last year I bought a full set of Scotts and I just finished pricing and numbering 30,000 duplicates using Scotts and I could just kick myself! Oh well - at least I got some use out of them! I signed up for the online version of Michel and ordered a few print Michels for areas that I use extensively to save my eyes from so much time staring at a PC screen. I ordered: North Europe for my Scandy and Finland, West Europe for Ireland and the Channels and a catalog for Austria. Now I'm catalog poor! LOL
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The "magnifier" overlay I mentioned above solves that problem. No squinting through a magnifier.
