Getting History right! An Editorial

[NW Mailing List]

Barney

The reason to include it with THE BOOK is that many people [the society 
hopes] who are NOT members, will buy the book.  They will NOT go 
wandering around the Internet looking for corrections/updates.  One 
should not have to be a society member or subscribe to an email list to 
find out that there are addition or corrections to a printed 
publication.   Many people [in this day and age] forget that there are 
still MANY people who have NO ACCESS to the Internet, and even if they 
do, are not skilled in its use.
I for one would want to have the information with my printed copy of the 
book.  I should not have to find it somewhere else on my own and then 
print a copy.

If this is the attitude and direction the group wants to take... then I 
suggest we quit publishing ANYTHING in hard copy and go to eBook 
formats.  Can't use a computer or get to a wireless connection to 
download content.   TOO BAD.

Sorry, but you pressed a big red button for me.  I think we should make 
the effort to provide our information to the widest audience possible 
even if it requires some effort and expense.

Jim Stapleton
Purcellville  VA
=====================
On 1/2/2013 8:16 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:

> There is no reason that an errata sheet (or more than one if 

> necessary) cannot appear here on the list!

> Barney Barnier

> Winston Salem, NC

>

>

> IMHO

>

> a]  Jimmy is right that the society has a responsibility to correct 

> errors in subsequent printings of Society publications

> b]  Frank is right that we have to watch expenditures at the project 

> level.

> c]  and Alex got here first with what I was going to propose ... THE 

> ERRATA SHEET

>

> I can tell you that I have purchased NEW books from PRRH&TS that had 

> errata sheets with initial distribution of a book, so there is plenty 

> of precedent for this solution.  It is cost effective but meets the 

> intent of "fixing errors and omissions".

>

> d]  If the society does not choose to do an errata sheet, then I am 

> much more in Jimmy's camp.

>

> Jim Stapleton

> ====================

> On 1/2/2013 6:15 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:

>

>     While I am not the one who replied to your question I might offer

>     a little insight.

>

>     First, we don't have the original proofs to correct. The reprint

>     is being done by scanning the original. The goal is to get the

>     book back into print for those members who ask about it

>

>     Second, If there are errors that you think need to be corrected

>     please provide them and it may be possible to include an errata

>     sheet with the reprint after we review your suggested correction

>     with the author.

>

>     Third, it is not about changing a few letters once a book is

>     printed and with hardbacks the fixed cost before you print the

>     first book are 2 to 3 thousand dollars. The fixed cost of scanning

>     a book for reprinting runs into the hundreds of dollars. The

>     question becomes do you nothing or do you attempt to offer your

>     members something at a low cost.

>

>     Fourth, the NWHS doesn't stuff very much money into its pockets.

>      What it does is concentrate on keeping costs low and not raising

>     membership dues. Generally we have about a 2% profit each year

>     (about $4,000)  that goes to keeping the archives functioning.

>

>     You may send your suggested corrections to aschust2 at comcast.net

>     <mailto:aschust2 at comcast.net> and I will let you know the outcome

>     of your suggestions.

>

>     Alex Schust

>

>     *From:**On Behalf Of *NW Mailing List

>     *Sent:* Wednesday, January 02, 2013 4:56 PM

>     *To:* NW Mailing List

>     *Subject:* Getting History right! An Editorial

>

>         I must say that the reply to my question about not making

>     corrections to the Shenandoah Di.v book struck a nerve in me. Why,

>     some of you may ask? I guess in my naive mind it is because I

>     thought we were FIRST a Historical Society! I thought we were a

>     non-profit organization. I guess I was hoping that getting history

>     right, or at least trying to, took precedence over stuffing money

>     in our pockets. The flippant reply to my question, by who knows

>     who, appears to have proved me wrong on all counts.

>         Did anyone even ask if any changes needed to be made? That

>     begs a question for the bean counters, just how much extra would

>     it cost to change a few letters? Would it cost as much as say a

>     "Hardback" edition?

>         I am very disappointed in the direction the N&WHS has taken in

>     this matter.

>

>     Jimmy Lisle

>

>     /On 1/2/2013 3:03 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:/

>

>         */Due to the small printing with high costs, correction are

>         not possible. This will be a direct reprint with the exception

>         of having a soft cover. However corrections are welcome to be

>         posted to this list./*

>

>         / /

>

>         */NWHS Commissary/*

>

>         / /

>

>         / /

>

>         /In a message dated 1/2/2013 12:10:09 P.M. Eastern Standard

>         Time, nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>         <mailto:nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> writes:/

>

>             /Is it too late to correct some errors in book before it goes

>             back into print?/

>

>


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