Because of a need to relocate to far smaller quarters, I’m thinking of selling my nearly-complete set of FWW (and, also, FHB), and then acquiring the CDs Taunton now offers.
Talk about emotionally draining! What makes it at all acceptable is the idea that — with the CD — I’ll have *most* of what’s worth having from all of those issues, in a form more easily searched than the actual magazines.
But before I do this, I’d like to get some imput from you folks. Taunton’s ads say the CD has “600” of the best articles from Issues #1 through (IIRC) #156 or so. Sounds like a lot. But if you do the math, it’s less than 4 articles per issue, whereas the actual magazines probably had an average of 9-12 articles per issue. Which means you are losing a LOT!
I know they include some additional materials, but doubtless you lose all of the ads, most of the Letters to the Editor, and most or many of the other various departments.
Then again, who needs a comparison of orbital sanders or cordless drills printed in 1983?
So: any of you have the CDs? What’s your opinion? Do you lose too much going this route, or is the selection of materails thorough enough to largely supplant having the actual magazines close to hand?
— Roger
Replies
Hello Marsman and all, this is my first go at this so I hope I don't do or say anything stupid, but I ordered the cd and I really love it. I live in Nw Florida great place to live but very low on ww schools or anything of that nature. Anyway, to the point, the cd has everything organize into topics for easy reference. I LOVE IT it does cut out the ads and such, but as a reference fantastic.
I like the CD because of the articles from issues that I don't have since my subscription is relatively recent. I've had it for a while, and don't think I've read everything yet.
I think an improvement is to have all the articles in a database, and subscribers can log on and search everything in FWW's inventory.
I wouldn't get rid of the hard copies you have. The CD contains a lot of information for those of us not having the older issues but it is limited in scope and contains more information from later years than from earlier issues. It also doesn't have a particularly good index system.
I bought my copy a year ago and was disappointed with it. At that time they also provided free access for 1 year to the online version. I was able to use it once and then could not download anything further.
I'd find something else to trash before I got rid of the originals.
AEW
Roger, I understand your reluctance to give up the hard copies. I sometimes take an issue to the shop to build a jig or tune up a machine. Also used to take a few on business trips cause they were a comforting link to home. I'd like to have the CD for quick reference and keep the mags for their portability and completeness but I haven't popped for the CD yet. Didn't help a bit, did I.
Ian
Thanks to all for the replies, all of which have been helpful ... and thanks in advance for any more that come in this weekend.
AEW, in particular, addressed my concerns directly: the CD really does leave out a lot, and in particular is weak on the earlier issues; and -- surprisingly! -- the CD is poorly indexed. I assumed that the entire thing was actively indexed (e.g., like at Amazon with its full-text search capabilities on thousands of books), along with a re-creation of the existing printed indexes with active links.
I hope the folks at Taunton are reading this. Right now I'm inclining against the CD, because it appears you simply have to give up too much. This is really very disappointing. Taunton, after all, has carved a niche for itself as the "premium" woodworking and homebuilding forum; why, in this case, did they short-change their customers by issuing *severely* handicapped CDs? Truth is, they'd have happier customers, and probably generate more revenue in the long haul, if they'd made the CDs REALLY all-encompassing for the years covered.
The only legitimate excuse I can think of is the matter of copyright obligations to the freelance authors of those hundreds of missing articles. Okay: offer a set of CDs with the COMPLETE issues, improve the indexing, and charge an extra $100 to cover author royalties. I'd pay it in order to have everything!
In any case, thanks again to all who replied!
I go through all my collections of mag on an occasional basis and put them in catagorized three ring binders. You would be amazed at how little space 10 years of magazines take up when you get rid of the advertising. This works great for me. I get to look back through the magazines as I decide what is important and seperate the outdoor, furnature, jigs and fixture and technique articles into different three ring binders. Four large binders has held my collection of popular mech.
wood, fww and others. PM dating all the way back to the 60's. Sheet protectors are cheap and you get to keep the best of the best in hard copy.
Tony
We already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.
What about donating them to your local library ? If you got an assurance from them that they'd keep the magazines and not sell them, you could have them relatively handy but not have the storage problem.
Also, the library may keep microfilm copies of them, which would be o.k. if you have the index pages photocopied so you know which issue to search for an article.
I recall when the National Geographic Society opened their new headquarters building in D.C. a few years back, then President Reagan was quoted as saying ,"Well, I'm glad someone besides me has a hard time finding room for their back issues of National Geographic."
Hope this is of some help
Enery
>> If you got an assurance from them that they'd keep the magazines and not sell them, you
>> could have them relatively handy but not have the storage problem.
Until they changed their minds or the policy changed or somebody forgot, etc. I love the library dearly, but I'd never count in them to keep old magazines.
How about make a bookcase and get rid of that unnecessary dresser. Since when do jeans, tee shirts, and flannel belong in a drawer. They easily fit under the bed in a cardboard box. Make those magazines your priority. You can always get another pair of pants. Sooner or later you will regret not keeping them. Try finding a complete set when you need it a few years from now.
I have friends waiting in line to inherit my complete set of FWW in the event that I die...unexpectantly. My wife doesn't understand the value of them. She wanted me to get rid of them before the last move... I don't think so... I told her that the David Winter Cottages go first.
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