Unlocked article icon for subscribers?

[tautai]

I sometimes get asked by subscribers to our journal why articles on the contents page still have the 'padlock' icon displayed when they are logged in. Some even think something is wrong and they are not allowed to download the PDF. Most subscribers do figure out that if they click the PDF link the article will download. But I wonder if a third icon could be implemented - an unlocked padlock perhaps - which would display for subscribers. An alternative would be to change from the padlock icon to the open access icon when a subscriber is logged in. I might have a go at implementing this myself if I get the time (I am an academic!) but just thought I would throw the idea out there if anyone else wants to give it a shot, or has some opinion etc...

Cheers,
Tim

[michael]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the feedback. That sounds like a good suggestion and should be relatively easy to implement. I've filed it here.

If you'd like to give it a go that would great, please feel free to add to the bug report (e.g. questions about modifying the code, posting a patch, etc.). I would suggest something along the lines of a modified icon, rather than marking subscriptions as 'open access' -- the distinction between open and subscription access should continue to apply to articles as indicated by the editor. The additional information is for readers to know that they now have access to subscription content.

Cheers,
Michael