Need Opinions...

[Steeve B]

Hello guys, I want your opinion on this!
What do you think about a CD discussing single specie from hatchling to breeding! In full detail, husbandry, material, enclosure, incubation and all, with about 100+ quality photos of the species concerned.
All this for about $40ea

The reason aim asking, I inquired today about publishing a little number of my Book,
It’s simply out of my reach $$ therefore a good friend suggested I put this material on CD
But the problem with CD is there easy to copy, so he suggested I release one CD a year on single specie. This seems like a good Idea to me! What do you think?

Kind regards


The series will be called *Advance in Monitor Breeding*
(Varanus Albigularis)

They will be available in French
English
German

:grab:

[markb]

Hi Steve,
I am for it entirely - maybe you can the CD's copyrighted and produced in a format whereby they cannot be copied??

You have my Vote - and help if you need it, anytime...

Best Regards,
markb

[Bryce Masuk]

Any cd code can And will be cracked so that wont do anything but if it was a Dvd only people with Dvd burners could do it (please make it a DVD) It would be so sweet you can even stick the written word on it as well so you can look at it on the computer Picture may tell 1000 words but video tells a million

[ReptiZone]

steeve you are the man when it comes to varanids and I would for sure pay the price to learn a fraction of what you know on the species I love.

But then again I would also pay you make me a copy of your best care sheets on certin animals if it is from your knowleg it is bound to be worth the time efort and money.

[josefg]

Like Bryce said, all CD can be copied even if copyrighted as some CD Burning programs such as CloneCD and the BlindWrite Suite does a 1:1 copy of the CD including the error bits (used for copy protection) and so the computer won't even know it's not an original.

On the other hand I don't agree with Bryce on the DVD idea as that won't reach all the people that are interested.

Also, I don't understand the thing about releasing 1 CD a year. Wouldn't it still be as easy to copy??

Thanks for listening

[tabastifur]

I personally think it's a great idea. I know I'll buy one.

Dan

[V.hb]

Put me down for it, if you do infact make one steeve!!


As others mentioned, cds can be copied very easily.... Try and get some form of encryption... I can give you some suggestions if needed, you know how to reach me.. just let me know if ya need the help!

[asphyxia]

Steve;

I think it is a great idea and count me in to purchase the set.

Best regards
Brian

[Tim and Julie B]

Great idea! I would definatly buy a copy! But It would take like 10 years to get a good collection of info (box set? :D) at only one a year. So if a person want a CD on their favorite species they would have wait maybe a few years before it was released? There has got to be a better way. Good to see you are thinking of sharing your knowledge through some form or another. I for one can't wait.

[burmer]

I'd be very interested in something like that. Put me down for a copy.

[NewLineReptile]

Good idea

Brandon

[Phantom]

I think your idea is simply great, and I would definately be a buyer!!!

But why publish only one per year?
Or maybe put more than one species on a cd? I mean species that are somewhat "alike" like savannah's and white throats for example.
I would personnaly prefer a cd from a dvd, but both can definately work.
Anyways, good luck on your project, I'm sure it'll be a hit!!

Phantom

[firepowerfox03]

I would as I need all the learning I can get

[Steeve B]

OK it’s only fair you guys know why only one a year!

When my friend saw 800 pages and photos, he looked at me and asked, what’s in there Steeve? I don’t mean what’s in there! I mean what is it for you my friend?

My only answer was 25 years!! Then I will turn it into 25 years of income for you and your family.

Then he explained different scenarios and we agreed to do this as follow, all CD’s will be produced in the next 2 years, then will be released once a year starting with albigularis then dumeril, Doreanus, Jobiensis, then all other CD’s will be offered within five years. This far nothing is official and still on the draft board, but it looks much better to me then doing a book, the book covered 17 species, that’s 17 CD’s at $40ea = $680 a book who’d be hard to sell at $100. And releasing all CD’s at the same time isn’t wise as they can be copied easily. What’s very good about this system, many will start producing CD’s for other reptiles also, and even other varanids breeders will fallow, this will give Varanophils plenty of material to work with.

And honestly it’s about time this hobby pays the bills.

[markb]

Good show Steve! Thats is absolutely correct! and I can't wait to read it. Fortununately for me, you're beginning your project with my favorite species, albigularis...I'm anxious to read it.

Best Regards,
mark

[Tim and Julie B]

Just to let you know $100 is nothing for a good book! I have paid that many times and would more then willing to pay more for a good monitor book! psst......is there any way Jobiensis can be moved closer to the top of that list........like maybe first? :D

[LISA127]

$100.00 is nothing for a good book? Trust me, when you have kids to raise it is! I'll get my info. without spending $100.00.

[markb]

Hi Steve,
Of course, I vote for the book and yes, a $100 is a good price considering 25 years put into it, and those serious vara-keepers will not hesitate to buy it....and you do not have to worry about people copying it - as one who has copies thousands of pages, I for one would never xerox it and pass it on as they will apparently be able to easily do with a CD....and less $$ and credit will go to you with CD, but more with the book. Also, museums, academic/university libraries, and herpetoculturalists around the world will want a copy too....something to think about.

Best regards,
mark

[drewlowe]

I would be in either way you went.

[josefg]

Another thing... if you make the CDs available for buying online please don't use Paypal for the fund transfer but use another service such as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.paytrust.com/">Paytrust</a> or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.worldpay.co.uk/">WorldPay</a>.

The only reason that I don't recommeny Paypal is that they don't accept Visa cards from all countries (my country Malta is one of the coutries that is not listed) and I would hate not being able to buy your CDs.

Thanks

[Steeve B]

Mark the editor was thinking in the 1000 copies, I only wanted about 50 because I wanted this book to be the rarest Varanids book. I was going to personally dedicate them and expedite to there rightful owners. Unfortunately this who’d cost me way too much!

The CD’s have an advantage, they will spread like a disease worldwide in the varanids community, sure there will be copies floating around but this doesn’t bother me at all, in fact peoples with little income and children’s shod copy a CD from a friend.

Collectors will want the original CD, s with the engraved photo exclusive to every species, and also want the hard cover bookcase CD holder, with plenty full size locality map photos, and a few surprises!
This collection when complete will out value my original 50 copies hard cover books.


Finally; academic, zoos and museum peoples are paid to research animals, they are the last peoples I want my CD’s to go too!
I want them to go to the real animal lovers, hobbyist and collectors.
Rgds

[Steeve B]

Dont worry Josefg if I have to I will mail you every CD myself.
Cheers!

[NewLineReptile]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Steeve B
[B]Mark the editor was thinking in the 1000 copies, I only wanted about 50 because I wanted this book to be the rarest Varanids book. I was going to personally dedicate them and expedite to there rightful owners.


Why would you not want everyone that wanted to learn about this stuff have a chance to buy and read your book?

Brandon

[justinO]

Can't wait Steeve. You have my business when the time comes. It is commendable that you are willing to share such a vast knowledge of herps to those who are willing to learn.

cheers

[josefg]

Originally posted by Steeve B
Dont worry Josefg if I have to I will mail you every CD myself.
Cheers!

Thanks Steeve. I don't have any varanids yet cause I can't provide enough space for them, but am looking of moving into them as soon as the space and money permit :)