Has anybody tried the FWW dvd w/ the first 200 issues for $150? How much more info does it have beyond the on-line membership?
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hello?
H,
Can't answer your question as I too am waiting to see some user reports on the DVD in question.
I did ask Taunton some time ago for details of a) what is missing (because of copyright isues) from the PDF files of all the issues on the DVD and b) what the "extras" consisted of (i.e. are they just stuff we already have from Taunton or else)?
There was no clear answer.
If 1-3% of pics or text is missing, that's not too bad. If it's more, this will begin to detract from the DVD as an archive. If the extras are just stuff already available, some of which is already in my library, I need to know so I can decide if this makes the DVD too expensive for what it is. After all, I already have the previous "all issue articles/tips" DVD and access to much on this site via a paid subscription.
So I'm still waiting, like you, to see if someone is willing to give us the skinny via buying one.
Lataxe
I have the DVD and have just started going through the issues. This is just a very preliminary first report/impression. I have scanned through all the issues with the black and white covers, about the first 30. Only one article is missing, having to do with guitars. Approximately 2 other articles are missing the photos only.
I am planning to go through all the issues and make a list of missing material and will post in this thread.
So far: Advantages - has essentially the complete magazine, ads and all, up to and including the December 2008 issue. Search function works well but not perfect. Search works even in the display ads and the classified sections but misses a few items in the photo captions.
Disadvantages - scroll buttons do not work, neither does mouse or touchpad scrolling. You have to use mouse clicks in the scroll bars only (I'm running Windows XP and using the latest Adobe Acrobat version). When program is installed EVERYTHING including the magazine contents is stored in c:program files. I would have preferred only the program to be there with the data stored elsewhere. My biggest complaint, but no fault of FWW, is that reading off the screen is not as pleasant as having the hardcopy. You have the option of printing out an article (haven't tried though).
BenM,Thank you for taking the time ! ! !
I too have been wondering.I have searched FWW on line to post addresses for articles to help people on Knots threads and there is a fair amount missing from on line version.
roc
Ben,
That report is most helpful. It seems that, on your perusal so far, not too much is missing. I await further reports with anticipation.
Could you say something about the "extras" content that FWW mentions in their advert but doesn't really elaborate? Are there videos or some other content new to you and additional to the stuff available on the FWW site?
I don't know how this disc is configured to load, but have your tried creating a partitioned drive with one or more logical drives mounted in a partition? This often allows a whole DVD to be copied to the logical drive then loaded/run from there. There is still stuff put into the C: drive but at least you don't need to have the DVD in the optical drive, as the shell program references the copy you installed into the logical drive instead.
It does seem strange to put all the data into C:/programs.................. Is there no initial "custom" option during the installation process, allowing you to specify the location for the data?
Lataxe
This post is for ALL. I have gone through all the issues on the DVD and here is what is missing:
Missing Articles:
Issue Page(s)<!----><!----><!---->
<!----> <!---->
28 52 to 55 Guitar Binding and Purfling<!----><!---->
60 46 to 47 Sliding Bevel Gauge<!----><!---->
63 42 to 46 Custom Fitted Chair<!----><!---->
84 71 to 73 Visual Tricks with Veneers<!----><!---->
148 74 to 79 Testing Joints to the Breaking Point
171 14 Methods of Work<!----><!---->
Missing Photos or Sketches (text appears to be complete):
Issue Page(s)
20 38 to 45<!----><!---->
32 106<!----><!---->
33 59 to 62<!----><!---->
35 88<!----><!---->
47 78 to 81<!----><!---->
49 75 to 76<!----><!---->
52 66 to 70<!----><!---->
53 47, 77<!----><!---->
54 40 to 42, 44, 45<!----><!---->
57 108, 110, 116<!----><!---->
64 70, 73<!----><!---->
69 88, 112, 118<!----><!---->
71 65 to 67, 106<!----><!---->
83 87 to 88<!----><!---->
86 91<!----><!---->
88 116<!----><!---->
95 12<!----><!---->
96 71<!----><!---->
101 104<!----><!---->
106 45<!----><!---->
109 138<!----><!---->
132 120<!----><!---->
136 88<!----><!---->
142 57 to 58<!----><!---->
197 84<!----><!---->
Something Missing (text and/or photos - could not determine):
Issue Page(s)
46 102<!----><!---->
109 101<!----><!---->
111 84<!----><!---->
112 94
187 96<!----><!---->
Ben,
That is a very useful summary. All in all I remain tempted, even though I have that original "all articles" DVD. There doesn't seem to be a huge amount missing, from your summary; and I do like the magazine format raather than a series of isolated pdf articles.
Lataxe
I have the DVD as well and wonder why the articles that Ben mentions are missing. Is this a technical oversight/bug in scanning/acquisition or maybe a copyright issue with those articles? Maybe someone from Taunton reading this thread can comment?Update-
No need to for anyone to comment. After some searching on Knots, I found a long discussion regarding missing articles on the DVD. I seems to indeed be because of copyright issues. The missing articles and pictures are minor, but I think it's a bit disingenuous of Taunton to describe the DVD as "digital reproductions of the first 201 issues of Fine Woodworking magazine" when items are missing. Disclosure in the sales information may have lost a few sales, but would have prevented any bad feelings with customers.And again-
I went back and read the description in it's entirety. I guess I missed the word "Nearly" ... (Nearly every article, section, department and ad has been faithfully reproduced in its entirety.)Edited 2/8/2009 5:13 pm ET by rdasilva
Edited 2/8/2009 5:14 pm ET by rdasilva
Statement from Anatole.
................................................
Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot
Thanks D., I found that thread right after I posted.
Scrolling works fine with my wheel mouse. Running XP Media Center and Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0.
Is there anything in the DVD that is not available to the online subscription service?Greg
<!---->•••••••
Exo 35:30-35<!---->
I'm not an online subscriber so I don't know. The DVD is strictly limited to the magazine.
Cincinnati,
There is a LOT that is not available to online subscribers. This is the entire magazine, page for page with very littly removed (due to copyright issues). The articles online here are really just an overview.
Also, there are the letters, methods of work, and a variety of other tidbits since the DVD is essentially 200 pdf files, one of each issue, page for page.
And for those that are having issues with navigation within an issue, opening the pdf file directly makes it act as, well, a pdf file.
Printing is possible, again these are pdf files.
Really, for anyone who ever wanted a complete collection of FWW magazines, this is it, without the storage issues.
Mike
My wife gave the DVD to me for Christmas. It is not real easy to browse and I sometimes have to query several different ways to find the article I was looking for. But perhaps I will learn more about it as I use it.It has been very helpful in that I can find a number of articles on a specific topic in one place and it is much more complete that the on line site.I try to look at the articles that come up but then usually do print them out to read closer or to take to the workshop with me. It is especially nice to have the printed version in the shop and I can write on it and not worry about it.Long story short. I like it overall and think while it is pretty expensive for a DVD, I have used it quite a bit.Domer
I bought the last DVD for $125. I am finding it is quicker to access that information online than on the DVD and rarely access it. I still am unsure of what I am getting that was not on the last DVD.My DVD is slow, and difficult to print.The information that I access online is the complete articles. I get this for $19.95 per year. So I am not seeing the benefit to invest in another DVD.I'm not trying to discourage others nor to harm Taunton's sales. I like the idea, but am missing the value.Greg
<!---->•••••••
Exo 35:30-35<!---->
It does seem like they could make it easier to use for the price they charge.But still it is useful enough to have. Especially since some of the older articles are only available this way as I understand it.I won't be buying the one year DVD though as I have all of the magazines.Domer
A different pdf reader might speed it up considerably. I use Foxit which is free and on my machine at least 10 times faster than Adobe. It also does not stay resident and chew up system resources like Adobe reader does.
................................................
Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot
Mattsbasementworkshop.com had a podcast review (#346) of the Fine Woodworking DVD and the Popular Woodworking DVD. It gave a good bit of info.
Tim
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