Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:34:42 -0700
Reply-To: "Peter W. Stein" <pwstein@WENET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Peter W. Stein" <pwstein@WENET.NET>
Subject: Change of direction on "CD"
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hello listees,
Peter Stein here, mostly quiet listmember, and I decided it might be a
good time to share some info that might help everyone who is in an
uproar about this "archive CD".
I am nearing graduation with a BFA (fine arts) with a major in Computer
Art. Concentration is (key point here) Interactive Digital Media. I am
starting a multimedia production company soon and one of my "production
plans" for a project is a Vanagon Owners Guide. To be brief, the past
six months I have been developing ideas towards a fully interactive
CD-rom for Vanagon owners to use as a resource just as a Bentley and the
ever-powerful/always growing Vanagon List. Right off the bat I want to
say that I NEVER had any thoughts of using the information from the list
as direct material to put in this project. The list has, however, been
very insightful as to the common concerns/problems/questions of a
Vanagon owner.
To share a little more about the CD, I'll mention that it will contain
video clips of repair procedures, listings of: the tools needed for each
job, the part numbers for each repair/replacement, links and info to
parts providers, statistics, history, workarounds, vanagon
art/pics/video, etc. It will also have a price tag. Statistically
speaking - a production of this type would take over a year and nearly
half a million dollars. Yes, statistically. I don't know how long it
will take me and my company, nor how much, but it stands to reason that
a producer of such *quality content will always have the bottom line in
mind - a profit. I have a family, student loans, and goals of financial
security. This drive for success has never kept me from wanting to
produce media/entertainment that is in my interest realm. I grew up with
VWs, owned dozens (mostly typeII) and will eternally love them. Owning a
Westy Syncro for the past year has increased my infatuation. Therefore
the interest in the subject. I also snowboard, skateboard, build
computers, etc. and I hope to produce content (for profit) on these
subjects as well.
I have the knowledge, the drive, the dedication, the bills, the support,
and much more to assist my success. I don't make promises that I can't
keep, and I am not making any now. I WANT to make this CD, but I have
been reserved in mentioning it on the list because of previous (and
current) disputes that seem to leave everyone with a bad taste in their
mouths and no productive results. I had bought a Bentley manual and was
disturbed at how unintuitive it was. No index, barely any mention on
procedure, mostly tool #s and parameters of torques, CO levels, voltage,
etc. I guess my ultimate goal with the product I intend on making is
something that bridges the gap. That brings all of this great wealth of
info SOURCES into an understandable FORM along with a reputable
mechanic's version of the processes involved. I know copyrights enough
to produce my own content, to ask for permissions, and to expect that
nothing is free.
In the end, if it works, you as a computer/Vanagon owner would have the
opportunity to purchase a content-packed, high-quality, eye-pleasing,
extremely-helpful interactive guide to owning, maintaining, enjoying
your vanagon. This is what America is all about. If somebody puts their
blood, sweat, and tears into a piece of work, they should have the
chance to sell it for an honest price. I hope you all understand this
long-winded letter and why I wrote it. I love this list, and it scares
me to think how quickly moods change around here, so please, if you feel
threatened by someone doing what they love on a subject that they love -
don't take it out on the list. You can exercise your mind/opinion in
much better ways.
Sincerely,
Peter W. Stein
pwstein@wenet.net
'86 Westy Syncro "illy"
" blessed with German engineering, cursed with German engineering "
"All Rights Reserved."
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