Manchester media: bob magazine
So, having completely missed the launch issue, I managed to find a copy of bob issue 2 in Big Hands yesterday. I’ve just had a read through in the sober, cold light of day and I’m incredibly disappointed to report that it’s not very good.
Beside the typos and grammar mistakes, there are all sorts of issues with introducing articles (who wrote The smoking ban stinks in the first person?), consistency of design (page numbers, anyone?) and the apparent ignorance of writers (see the interview with Embrace’s Danny McNamara). Again, the latter piece has no credit despite being full of ‘I’s and ‘me’s. Are these writers embarassed or something? And the less said about the anecdote-less anecdote, My first racist slur, the better.
I also feel that I didn’t really gain anything in the way of information or, for an issue with the theme ‘play’, entertainment. There was a great opportunity with a review of the Mis-Guide to Anywhere, but they missed a trick there. And on the face of it, much of the content isn’t particularly relevant to the city either – the Martin Parr double-spread photograph, the Richard Herring interview and even the lead article, a profile of climber Leo Houlding.
So there, I’ve said it now. I try to be positive on this site but I am actually disappointed with bob magazine. This is just one reader’s opinion of course, so I suggest you go judge for yourself. Sadly bob’s website is currently ’suspended’ right now, so I’ve got no idea where to direct you to for a stockist. I had trouble tracking one down myself.
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Oh dear!
By yankunian on 05.29.07 8:28 am
you can find it here: http://www.bobmagazine.co.uk/images/issues/bob_issue_two.pdf
i will take your word for its poor written content, but it has a nice martin parr photo in it.
By toast on 05.29.07 9:58 am
“i will take your word for its poor written content”
i’ll stick to the photos then….
By toast on 05.29.07 9:59 am
As a rule of thumb, if it’s a small-scale magazine, and the articles don’t have bylines on them, then it’s probably written by one person.
I’ve been there myself in the dim and distant.
By Paul on 05.29.07 10:41 pm
Entirely understandable, unless the writer writes in the first person.
Anyway, as Toast quite rightly points out, the website is back up now! What do you think?
By Mancubist on 05.29.07 11:21 pm
Toast appears to be talking to him or herself in this thread.
By Stephen Newton on 05.30.07 11:48 am
Spotted #2 in Sams chophouse last weekend. It’s not awful by any means, but not quite what I was expecting
By Tristan on 06.05.07 11:57 am
A mole writes… Bob magazine is the work of Alan Johnstone, former editor of Adline. Whether this casts light onto any of the above comments I’m not sure.
By anon on 06.14.07 11:29 am
I’m not sure either… what’s the general consensus on Adline?
By Mancubist on 06.14.07 11:47 am
> what’s the general consensus on Adline?
Written in the first person, no bylines, sloppy grammar…
*JOKING*
By anon on 06.15.07 12:36 pm
Thinking about it, this site is written in the first person with sloppy grammar. ‘Mancubist’ is my byline, however.
By Mancubist on 06.15.07 12:42 pm
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to you from the Manchester Neighbourhood Care Groups Association which is a largely voluntary organisation which supports older people and some adults with needs in the South and Central Manchester areas.
We are in desperate need of volunteers to help us deliver services to our clients. Do you think it would be possible to help us advertise?
We have comprehensive inductions and optional training.
I hope to hear from you.
Kind regards, Sarah
Manchester Neighbourhood Care Groups Association
Burnage Community Centre
Burnage Lane
Burnage
Manchester
M19 1EW
http://www.mncga.co.uk
Tel: 07934 498 848
By Sarah Parry on 01.15.08 12:24 pm
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