[dvdvol] User feedback from new CD/DVD creation system

Wed Jan 18 14:05:58 PST 2006

While I can appreciate the need to have the latest updates to the Project
Gutenberg collection locally, I fear that us spending time either writing an
application to do this or integrating an existing application to do this
(yum, the utility Google Pack uses, etc) would be a waste of time.

Now, before the hoardes attack about my "waste of time" comment, let me
explain.

It's not a trivial undertaking to maintain a cross-platform application
designed to maintain an up-to-date Project Gutenberg catalog/library on
one's computer. I'm not saying it's insanely difficult either. It could
probably be done with rsync and some other tools rolled together, with
someone spending a couple of weeks on it so it's a polished product. I'm
saying that our time is better spent elsewhere at the moment.

We're already stretched thin just trying to mail out CDs and DVDs to people,
and other volunteers are tied up getting books into the PG library. I'm just
concerned that we're spreading ourselves too thin (looking above, I see my
rant has gone on much longer then I've intended). Let's concentrate our
efforts on the activities that give us the greatest possible return on our
effort. If we look into an update/management application, and there's enough
desire for it as well as enough people to work on it, then we should
definately organize an effort to put it into place.

I just want us to get the most bang for our buck.

-brandon

On 1/18/06, Aaron Cannon <cannona at fireantproductions.com> wrote:
>
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> Do you know if he saw the link to the
> FAQ?  http://snowy.arsc.alaska.edu/pgiso/faq.html
> .  It's a decent set of instructions; or perhaps
> it's not.  I wrote most of them so it's hard to
> say for sure. :)  Was there something specific he didn't understand?
>
> Sincerely
> Aaron Cannon
>
>
> At 08:43 AM 1/18/2006, you wrote:
> >Here is the text of an e-mail conversation I had with a retired gentleman
> >who is very interested in e-books.
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Joseph Gill [mailto:gilljoseph1949 at yahoo.com]
> >Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 10:25 PM
> >To: John Hagerson
> >Subject: RE: Please confirm mailing address
> >
> >Thank You John,
> >
> >I tried to do as you suggested below but NO easy step by step
> instructions.
> >It is sad that after so many volunteers and yourself work so hard for
> years
> >that there is not a simple download program and simple update files
> download
> >program.
> >
> >If you offered your text in an illustrated word file they could have FULL
> >title and author listing and would be searchable as texts.  I keep 70,000
> >e-texts books and papers on my computer and can search the ENTIRE
> collection
> >for words or dates ect.  I have my estates allocated to go to your
> >organization and would like to see newer more user friendly technology at
> >Gutenberg; it is available for individuals as well as institutions now.
> >
> >I was a prof at Harvard Uni and a director at Sotheby's NYC and am now
> >retired.  If you care please see   www.worldglobetrotters.com .
> >
> >The more you give the more people want. Thank you for all your wonderful
> >giving work.
> >
> >Cordially Dr. Joseph Gill
> >===========================================================
> >
> >John Hagerson <j.hagerson at comcast.net> wrote:
> >Dr. Gill,
> >
> >We have an option that is available to you if you have a high speed
> >connection to the Internet.
> >
> >If you connect to http://snowy.arsc.alaska.edu/pgiso, you can query the
> >Project Gutenberg library of electronic books based on criteria that you
> >specify and create a CD or DVD image of electronic books. Once you
> specify
> >the criteria, the system will compile the selected books into an ISO
> image
> >and provide you with instructions for downloading the image to your PC.
> >Then, you can copy the image to a blank CD or DVD and distribute copies
> to
> >your friends. (If you just want to use the CD or DVD image yourself, you
> can
> >search Google for a free program called IsoBuster which allows you to
> >extract the contents of an ISO file collection to your hard disk.)
> >
> >Because we have yet to widely publicize this service, I am not sure how
> >ready it is for a large number of people to try to use it simultaneously.
> In
> >the meantime, however, if you are inclined, please test it out and send
> any
> >feedback to the e-mail alias that is listed on the page.
> >
> >If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them or I can ask
> >others who are more knowledgeable than I.
> >
> >Thank you for your continued interest in Project Gutenberg.
> >
> >John Hagerson
> >Project Gutenberg Volunteer
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Joseph Gill [mailto:gilljoseph1949 at yahoo.com]
> >Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 12:40 AM
> >To: John Hagerson
> >Subject: Re: Please confirm mailing address
> >
> >Hello John,
> >
> >I have your 3 year old DVD but would like to download your text and image
> >files to update your collection on my computer.  A GOOD IDEA
> >
> >Dr Joseph Gill
> >
> >John Hagerson <j.hagerson at comcast.net> wrote:
> >Dr. Gill,
> >
> >Thank you for your interest in Project Gutenberg and a request for our
> DVD.
> >
> >Could you please provide your mailing address? For now, all I have is
> your
> >name and Kona HI 96704.
> >
> >Thank you very much.
> >
> >John Hagerson (a Project Gutenberg volunteer)
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Photos
> >Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands
> >ASAP.
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Photos  Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover
> >Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >dvdvol mailing list
> >dvdvol at lists.pglaf.org
> >http://lists.pglaf.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/dvdvol
>
>
>
> - --
> E-mail: cannona at fireantproductions.com
> Skype: cannona
> MSN Messenger: cannona at hotmail.com (Do not send
> E-mail to the hotmail address.)
>
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--
Brandon Galbraith
Email: brandon.galbraith at gmail.com
AIM: brandong00
Voice: 630.400.6992
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