Market survey

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Hello, ever tryed to put a CD in your new I-pad? When you can't buy a PC anymore which can handle your CD, I still can read the books, so for me the books.

Hendrik

[Grant Bowker]

I have mixed feelings about the physical / digital questions.

Having seen many digital formats come and go, I have serious doubts about the suitability of digital for archival purposes. On the other hand, the negatives from Boer war period can still be viewed using nothing more complex than a light source. Yes, you do have to make mental adjustments for positive to negative, maybe for left to right but as long as there is light (and they don't degrade) the image can be viewed.
Another issue with the digital world, I am continually frustrated using computer help files because my mind doesn't always come up with the maker's term for a concept. I can browse a book and find a similar looking subject and then see where it leads.

On the other hand, it is nice to be able to blow-up, crop and otherwise manipulate digital images.

In the case of this project I wonder whether a mixture of the 2 formats is possible. The full project, text and images, as hard copy with a "bonus" CD of the images. Having only part of the project digital would reduce the number of unauthorized reproductions going into circulation and having the CD of images would let people use images to illustrate points or ask questions (assuming you don't mind the way people have used photos from the "Factory Photos" CD on the forum).

[lynx42]

Clive,
You can put me down for a set. I think the 2 book idea is the way to go. The CD idea is ok in some cases, but you can't sit infront of the fire on a cold winters night and browse through a Cd like you can a book.
regards Rick.

[Bob Carriere]

Similar approach to Grant.....

I would pay extra for more pictures and 2 + volumes..... a real definitive piece of art...... but would also like a high quality CD... no tect just all the pictures. My experience is that with my software programs I can enlarge and seek out the details that are relevant in restoration work.... only a CD can give you that.

Preview that we have seen at the BBQ sure wetted our appetite.

Boob

[Bill Murray]

Hi Clive:

Sorry to be late to the party, but...........

I will gladly pay for one, two or three books at whatever price you have to get.

On the other hand, even at the not so tender age of 70, I have become addicted to the computer way of doing things and I am very comfortable with using such files to do my research.

When pressed, I can take my laptop, my wine and my fags out to the patio and continue my research when I want to get out of my home office and library type stuff.

Plus.............I would bet you already have the bulk if not all of the book materiel in digital form and could release a CD long before the one, two or three books.

If that premise is true, I would vote for releasing the CD ASAP and then carrying on with the books.

Bill