Jeffro, I set up a test site using WP 3.6 and Twenty-Twelve theme. I installed the IssueM plugin and watched the videos and read the user guide. I can see why you say you had some problems. It seemed to me that the videos didn't sync with latest version of the plugin. That happens. I did figure out the concept and got everything set up. (On some of my projects keeping the help file updated to software changes is a balancing act.)

Other than some css everything seemed to be as advertised. Spacing seemed to be a little off, but I can correct that with css.

The look and feel of my test site wasn't like the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine but then everything was in the right place. It looked best using the Twenty-Eleven theme. The Twenty-Thirteen theme doesn't seem to work with anything yet. I didn't try their IssueM theme.

Bottomline is that I liked what I saw. I think they have a good concept and it wouldn't take that long for anyone to set up a news magazine site. I would advise others to use a test site until they have a good feel for things before they go live with it.

Ron