Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 00:34:16 -0300 (ADT)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: smitht@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca (Tim Smith)
Subject: Digital format 'Bentley' project (longish)
Hi Folks,
This is a proposal to generate the V@L digital equivalent to the Bentley
Vanagon manual. It would be an undertaking that marks the list as an
entity, the publishing of a book. Such a digital manual then needs to be
made available on a website. We number almost 300 owners, all in need of a
solid affordable repair/reference manual, and we're all computer geeks
(err... more or less, you decide :) ). I welcome all feedback on this idea,
best off/on list?, and I will summarise after a couple of weeks. And the
project would also be dropped if enough negative comments came back, or for
lack of interest.
What I propose is that as many interested/willing/able members as
possible each pick a section of the table of contents of Bentley/Haynes/??
manual and compile the information in digital format. Copyright
infringement is to be avoided! This would be done by using our own
illustrations, either fresh video'd/photo-scanned or drawn by hand/CAD and
our own text, encompassing both the details in the main manuals plus the V@L
'practical' experience. Think of the existing manuals as templates, we need
to cover the same material and more, but in our own 'style'. The sections
chosen should be ones which the writer has had some working exposure to,
and/or is about to undertake and can vid/photo the stages. Big difference
between working on a sparkling fresh new vanagon like Bentley, and one with
10+ years of wear and tear all over.
I see a lot of repeat advice, or referrals to the archives for help,
while having a website repair manual 24hrs a day would really boost the
selfhelp level before the list was asked for the really nasty details. I try
to help off-list, so I wonder how many others are doing the same, at the
same time. Stuff like Westy fridges is not even in the manuals, so we can
address sections the 'market' needs, not just what is in the manuals.
Given so many list members the work could be well spread out, and
the amount of work required to do one short section isn't too daunting,
perhaps 3-5 pages worth of copy/illus. The nice thing also is that the
sections can be put up when ready, and subject to review too. The most
crucial item would seem to be the FI system (like Raid, stops'em dead!), and
the tips this list provides just don't appear in any manuals. A buyers
inspection guide with illustrations would help a lot of wannabussers too.
Ditto for body repairs.
Any thoughts on this? If it meets with general approval then I will
type in a table of contents similar to Bentley and interested parties could
sign up to produce a section. Once that's worked out, just proceed at your
own pace, as individuals or in groups. Having a Bentley or other for
reference would help, but we can be pretty innovative at times. :) Any
offers for a home for the Digital V@L Manual would be welcome, or tell me
how I can best set it up here. I have ready access to hardware for loading
VHS/8/Hi-8 video/frames into PCs or for flatbed scanning, but I don't use it
often (enough), here's a chance. Java Ho?
Tim Smith
Next project.... Eurovans!
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