Just a bit ago, Bill Colby emailed me a file containing his entire Common Cents database. It contains over 900 entries. He has given me permission to publish it in RodMaker Magazine. The only problem is that it is so extensive that it would easily fill an entire issue and then some.

I'm going to kick it around. I know the set up he uses and trust his accuracy. My thinking is that maybe I'll devote 1 or 2 pages per issue starting this summer and carry through until all of it has been published. Even taking out the finished rods, he's got about 600 rod blanks listed. I'm guessing I could fit in between 50 to 75 per issue. We'll see.

..........

Excellent! Even a page per issue would be helpful. North Fork is adding the data for their blanks as they produce them so that alone would provide a good many models to include. I would like to see Batson get on board. Hopefully Bills database already has a bunch of the Batson stuff included.

There is some. I haven't had time to really go through it all and won't for a few weeks. Obviously, some companies would have a lot more representation than others depending on what has come and gone through Bill's hands over the past few years. Again, I'll need to sift through it and decide how to handle it.

..........

I will gladly take an emailed file........LOL. ; )

Oh, forgot to ask..........does he have the CCF frequency numbers listed? I am quickly learning how valuable THAT information really is.

How about a CD inserted into the Magazine mailing?

Just a thought - I've seen it done before.

Cheers and thanks for your dedicated work on our behalf.


Walt

Wonder how much it would cost for a temp agency data entry clerk to enter the data onto the CCS data page? Nominal access fee to offset this cost? Just a thought.

Lane

Peter,

I have to sit down and really go through it before I can tell you much more about it. The quick glance I gave it showed CCF figures for some, but not all the entries. I couldn't tell you what percentage off the top of my head.

..........

Walt,

That's a great idea but I doubt I can afford it. The magazine does not operate at a profit and the subscription fees just barely cover my physical cost of printing and mailing the magazine. There's not a lot left over. What there is goes into the RodMaker Reception at the Expo each year. That pretty much brings everything back to flat even.

...........


Lane,

Bill specifically asked me not to allow it into any online database. I'm sure that once published, however, some of it will surely make it in there.

............

It would be a real shame for someone to take advantage of Bill Colby's generosity and post his info.
on an on-line database without his expressed written consent.

I'd love to have such info for my Library website but I'd be just as happy to see it published in RodMaker or see it
as another Special Issue CD.

THANKS BILL!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I guess considering how many more rod builders the magazine reaches compared to the internet forums it makes more sense to put it in the magazine anyway. At some point it will trickle down to the internet forums. After all thats pretty much what has happened to all the other articles in the mag. The info trickles down from the mag, not up to it.

If you will accept entries from others I will try to gather the ones I have and send them in.

Hi Tom

I like Raymond's idea of a Special Issue CD, you could charge a little more than it costs to produce and save the rest to start a "Special Projects" acount for when you need start-up capital on a new project.
Just my .02c

Thanks Tom, Bill & Everyone on this site who help me learn something new Every day!!

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

A special issue CD seems to make the most sense. If people have to pay for something they are less inclined to give it away to others. I think it is vital to understand why Mr. Colby has an objection to it being on an online database. Understanding his reasons will allow us to come up with the best solution.

A lot is possible with software. For example a download code could be issued once someone submits data on a new blank. You contribute and then you can make use of the data. It would be a shame to see such a body of work not passed on IMHO.

I'm just a hobby builder only making rods for myself. I will never buy enough blanks to make a meaningfull contribution. The ironic thing is this likely means that CCS info would help me more than the prolific builder who sees hundreds of blanks.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I think Bill pointed that out earlier in a post yesterday on a related subject.

Plus, the internet does not reach even 5% of the builders that the magazine does. In the long run it makes more sense to publish it in the magazine. It will trickle down from there.

I still have to sit down and sort through it so nothing is definite yet, although I have a pretty good idea what I'm going to do with it all.

.................

Sounds like Bill is being pretty generous....Like CCS or not that many measurements is a significant investment in time and money.....I would think most serious builders would pay decent $$ for a database like that...

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

It is very nice to have these data in the MRS Database. I was off track for two-three weeks on other projects but if there are a large number of serious builder that would be interested in these data and the MRS system, why dont we link it up and make it RodMaker very own share utility and database ? What do you say Mr. Bill Colby? Mr. Tom Kirkman? off course if money is the issue, can we set up a donation account if someone like it they can send RodMaker some $$ ?

I could imports from various Database such as MS SQL Server 2000-Current, MySQL or Oralcle Databases. Or if it's in plain files formats such as XML, Excel, Word, Access or DBF no problems.

Thanks in Advance.