Freethought & Rationalism Archive

12-01-2002, 11:37 AM

I've heard of <a href="http://www.sciencenews.org/" target="_blank">Science News</a> but never actually read the magazine. I'm wondering is anyone has any opinions of this magazine.

I was a long time subscriber to Scientific American, about the last 15 or 20 years, but gave up a year ago after I got tired of the changes. They started to go beyond popularizing science to being more like "Popular Science" When they started adding columns by CEOs of large tech companies I left. It had gone from a serious research journal to a advertising glossy.

So I recently got an offer from Science News for 64 weekly issues for $US48 and I'd like to know if it's worth it.

Starboy · 12-01-2002, 12:03 PM

I have subscribed to Science News for over a decade. I would call it the headline news of science. Its a short but frequent publication with broad but shallow coverage. An excellent publication if you want to keep up on what is going on in most of science.

I have subscribed on and off to Scientific American for over 35 years. I agree with you, it used to be a great science magazine but not anymore.

sakrilege · 12-01-2002, 12:14 PM

I like Science News because it is written for the nonspecialist, covers all areas of science & technology, and (on the longer articles) gets opinions of other researchers not just the featured researcher.

12-01-2002, 11:15 PM

Thanks to both of you. I'll probably see if I can get a trial issue of "Science News" and maybe even "New Scientist"

I do have to say that I'm not sure I'd like either one. After looking at online articles from both print magazines, the articles are quite short. It truly looks like the headline news of science.

If I could afford it I'd probably get Nature, although I'd still prefer a monthly magazine.

abe smith · 12-02-2002, 05:29 AM

Why buy a cow when milk's cheap? Unless you're really rich, why not try reading *Science News* (I think it's an excellent source-weekly ; and the NYT Tuesday 'Science Times" section, costs daily TIMES $1., is also.) why not, I say, read *Science News* and other periodicals at your local FREE library until you decide whr you want to subscribe or not? What's w/ the members here? that you-all don't use public libraries? The world's greatest bargain, invented, if I mistake not, by the great American hero, B. Franklin. Yes, go for *Science News*; but sample it free first.

12-02-2002, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by abe smith:
<strong>Why buy a cow when milk's cheap? Unless you're really rich, why not try reading *Science News* (I think it's an excellent source-weekly ; and the NYT Tuesday 'Science Times" section, costs daily TIMES $1., is also.) why not, I say, read *Science News* and other periodicals at your local FREE library until you decide whr you want to subscribe or not? What's w/ the members here? that you-all don't use public libraries? The world's greatest bargain, invented, if I mistake not, by the great American hero, B. Franklin. Yes, go for *Science News*; but sample it free first.</strong>

Well, I did use my public library, when it was close by. I moved, many years ago. and now the "free" public library is a good drive away. It's just a bit too far for a casual check on some periodicals.

Thanks for reminding me though abe, I forgot that my college, of which I am a student, has a pretty good library. I don't use the library much as my course load doesn't include much in the way of research or term papers.

Chip · 12-03-2002, 09:06 PM

I've had a subscription to Science News off and on for about 30 years. It is indexed every six months and great to use for research. Some libraries carry the microfiche and it can be quite handy for seeking data for papers. The fact that it comes out every two weeks means you will often see reports that other magazines think twice about reporting and don't include (read censorship). Scientific American is a contradiciton in terms in my eyes. Just look at the advertisements in a mag to see where their allegiance lies (yeah, lies). IEEE journals are pretty decent too though you have to be an accomplished inventor to qualify for a subscription.

Regards, Chip

12-01-2002, 11:37 AM	#1
HeatherD Guest Posts: n/a	Science News Magazine [opinions?] I've heard of <a href="http://www.sciencenews.org/" target="_blank">Science News</a> but never actually read the magazine. I'm wondering is anyone has any opinions of this magazine. I was a long time subscriber to Scientific American, about the last 15 or 20 years, but gave up a year ago after I got tired of the changes. They started to go beyond popularizing science to being more like "Popular Science" When they started adding columns by CEOs of large tech companies I left. It had gone from a serious research journal to a advertising glossy. So I recently got an offer from Science News for 64 weekly issues for $US48 and I'd like to know if it's worth it.

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12-01-2002, 12:03 PM	#2
Starboy Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL Reality Adventurer Posts: 5,276	I have subscribed to Science News for over a decade. I would call it the headline news of science. Its a short but frequent publication with broad but shallow coverage. An excellent publication if you want to keep up on what is going on in most of science. I have subscribed on and off to Scientific American for over 35 years. I agree with you, it used to be a great science magazine but not anymore.

12-01-2002, 12:14 PM	#3
sakrilege Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cleveland, OH, USA Folding@Home Godless Team Posts: 6,211	I like Science News because it is written for the nonspecialist, covers all areas of science & technology, and (on the longer articles) gets opinions of other researchers not just the featured researcher.

12-01-2002, 11:15 PM	#4
HeatherD Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks to both of you. I'll probably see if I can get a trial issue of "Science News" and maybe even "New Scientist" I do have to say that I'm not sure I'd like either one. After looking at online articles from both print magazines, the articles are quite short. It truly looks like the headline news of science. If I could afford it I'd probably get Nature, although I'd still prefer a monthly magazine.

12-02-2002, 05:29 AM	#5
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	Why buy a cow when milk's cheap? Unless you're really rich, why not try reading Science News (I think it's an excellent source-weekly ; and the NYT Tuesday 'Science Times" section, costs daily TIMES $1., is also.) why not, I say, read Science News and other periodicals at your local FREE library until you decide whr you want to subscribe or not? What's w/ the members here? that you-all don't use public libraries? The world's greatest bargain, invented, if I mistake not, by the great American hero, B. Franklin. Yes, go for Science News; but sample it free first.

12-03-2002, 09:06 PM	#7
Chip Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 382	I've had a subscription to Science News off and on for about 30 years. It is indexed every six months and great to use for research. Some libraries carry the microfiche and it can be quite handy for seeking data for papers. The fact that it comes out every two weeks means you will often see reports that other magazines think twice about reporting and don't include (read censorship). Scientific American is a contradiciton in terms in my eyes. Just look at the advertisements in a mag to see where their allegiance lies (yeah, lies). IEEE journals are pretty decent too though you have to be an accomplished inventor to qualify for a subscription. Regards, Chip

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