I find myself agreeing with those who like the "hybrid" or combined format--survey and general technical information, with glossy photos of the finished lace, in book form with the specific technical drawings and prickings on a CD which I can print out in any way I like, or simply analyze on my computer. Whenever I make lace I tend to use my computer to generate a pricking on light blue card, then keep the computer next to my pillow displaying the technical diagram at a nice large scale (I'm familiar enough with several simple graphics programs that even if the original version of the diagram doesn't show up well onscreen I can create a copy of it that will). However, I also like to curl up in bed with a good new lace book and I've learned that CDs can get themselves lost long before a book would--and be harder to find again once lost! And it is also true that formats change faster in the computer world than in the book world, though I think the CD is likely to remain useable for a long time to come.
So, if I had to choose between a "real" book and one only on CD, I'd probably go for the real one if the prices were at all comparable. OTOH, if the prices reflected the real cost of production--much higher for a real book than for a CD--as well as the value of the information contained, then I'd probably go for the CD and find a way to solve the other problems. Were I considering a CD-only purchase, I'd definitely want to see pictures of the lace being made or under discussion, whether on the outer packaging or as an insert with the disc. I do buy some books sight unseen (the equivalent of getting a CD without printed photographs) but only from authors whose other work I already know well and like a great deal. Hope this helps, Sue. Susan Lambiris Raleigh, NC http://home.earthlink.net/~slambiris/ - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
