Hello cousins!!
For my first entry, I thought I’d start with a poll, where you can respond in the comment field, regarding the second edition of The Complete Loy History, Featuring Descendants of Martin Loy (to America 1741).
As the first book in 1998 weighed in at 10 lbs., I planned the second version to be in PDF format. However, about ten years ago a distant cousin suggested I put the book online instead, charging a subscription for viewing. At the time, I could find no online databases suitable for the book to be in online format. None offered large amount of text space for details about each person. But finally, last week, I found a program that seems to have most of the features I’d need.
So, I’ll present the pros and cons of each type, PDF or Online, to you…
PDF Pros: In a CD format, the PDF file is portable where you don’t have to be online to read it, such as at family reunions. E-book readers are able to read PDF files, so the book could even be read in that manner. And being like a book, it could be printed from your printer like book pages.
PDF Cons: This would involve my having to invest in CDs, mailers, and postage. Not to mention numerous trips to post office to mail your order, which would take several days to receive. PDF versions change over the years, so there may be a chance of it being unreadable by your computer in the future. As large as this book will be, it may need to be divided into about three PDF files. Although PDFs have a search feature, it will be made more difficult having to search multiple files for a name rather than just one. Being in a CD format, like the book, you won’t have access to additions/corrections. If your CD is lost or damaged, it would need replaced.
Online Pros: Once you order it, data would be available immediately. Info would be constantly updated, so you would have instant access, instead of having to wait for a third edition of the book. Even if I had to re-typeset the book manuscript into this database, most could be a copy and paste and not involve too much retyping. And, you could view information as I’m inputting. Not having to wait until I fully complete the PDF book in order to see any of it. And as for features, the search would be so much easier and more accurate. You could search by who was born in same town, find who was born on this date or shares your birth month and day, search everyone with same first name…the list goes on and on.
Online Cons: To view, you’d always need Internet access. I would have to purchase this online software and maintain my own web domain. Since the software is only $30 (plus more for needed upgrades) and I already “rent” my own web domain, it wouldn’t be too much out of pocket. Still, considering I’m currently among the unemployed, barely covering rent and Internet access each month, it may take some time to afford the software.
As I’ve been researching since a teen in the 1980s, much work has gone into this. What do you all think would be a fair “suggested donation”? Anyone who owns the first edition of the book knows the information in it is quite extensive. And I currently have about 3 or 4 times that now, having gleaned most of the census as current as 1930 for most of these generations. The manuscript includes transcribed census for each household 1790-1930 for most people living in that era. (Plus census page numbers and residence, so you can check it out yourself on the unindexed census microfilm roll.)
I know many of you are like me, pinching pennies. To make it available for everyone, instead of charging a set price for access, I feel donations is only fair. For the 1998 book, I had asked for $80, the full cost of producing the book. (Yet went “in the hole” from not properly calculating postage!) With less out of pocket this time, it will cost less to produce and, in turn, be more affordable.
So, what’s your opinion??
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Can you do a downloadable pdf that you can charge for by useing paypal?
THE MAIL ABOVE IS THAT STREET ADD OR EMAIL?
Probably I can, but will have to figure out how to do it, since it will be in multiple files and I’d have to sync the Paypal contribution with the downloads. If published by CD, it would be sent by snail mail. (Is that what you meant by “the mail above”??)