Challenge Publications Modeling Magazines

As a certified Olde Pharte I'm not into e-books, but this sounds to me like a great idea. I've got several relatively old modeling books dating back to the twenties. I'll never buid a model using the materials, tools, and techniques they describe, but they're great bedtime reading. And the models some of those guys built become even more awe-inspiring when we consider the limitations of the era.

I have a media player, which is just like a Smart Phone except it doesn't have a telephone, and hence no monthly fees.  I have both ebooks and music on it. It is great for waiting rooms like Dr. and dentist offices. I always have to wait a bit, and I play music and read ebooks while waiting.  There are an amazing amount of free ebooks available.  A place called Project Gutenberg has like 40, 000.  There are a surprising number of "history of technology"  books there, which surprised me, plus lots of classic literature.  I am currently reading a book by Sir Richard Burton, the explorer.

Oh, BTW, I am old enough to be an old phart (76) but do use new gadgets that I think will be useful to me.

Don's right, of course. I tend to get dragged kicking and screaming into each new wave of technology. I've reconciled myself to the I-phone, digital photography, and PowerPoint (for work).

We got a flat-screen tv for Christmas, and I bought a Blue-Ray to go with it. Today's project is to hook the whole mess together (with the receiver, CD changer, VCR, and speakers). When I've recovered from that experience, maybe I'll tackle the e-book.

If you want to just ease your way into the E-book thing, there is always an E-book emulator for your PC. Those programs let you try out some books so that you know if you want to jump in all the way or not.

I have one installed so that I can try out the new format Detail & Scale releases.

Rex

Rex, you're absolutely right about the ebook emulators.  Adobe Digital Editions will handle epub format, Kindle handles mobi format, Nook handles epub and Calibre not only handles several different formats, it can also convert Word documents into the various ebook formats if you happen to be interested in trying your hand at writing ebooks.  And speaking of writing ebooks, be sure to check out smashwords.com.  That site will give you an entire education about writing ebooks all in one place.

By the way, I'm 72, never touched a computer til I was in my late 50s and use as many of the technology gadgets as I need or want.  Bottom line, it ain't rocket science...it just feels like it.

jtilley and Rex, looks like I'll have to start looking into creating some of my old articles.  It'll be interesting to see how they're received.

jtilley

As a certified Olde Pharte I'm not into e-books, but this sounds to me like a great idea. I've got several relatively old modeling books dating back to the twenties. I'll never buid a model using the materials, tools, and techniques they describe, but they're great bedtime reading. And the models some of those guys built become even more awe-inspiring when we consider the limitations of the era.

In regards to ebooks, you are missing out if you like to read. I down load dozens of ebooks into my Kindle account onto my Kindle. I've paid for a few, but have "bought" hundreds of free books. Once they are in your account, you can add them to the various devices registered to your account. I've got a bottom line Kindle that I take to work with me, a Kindle Fire HD that can also do videos and magazines, my wife and kids have Kindles that they use at school (textbooks are available for rent via Kindle), and can even send books to the smartphones we use.

A Kindle or other ereader is about the size of a stenographer's note pad and can hold hundreds of books. You can add or delete books from the device where ever you can access the internet via wi-fi. It also has features that allow you to increase font size to make the page more comfortable to read. If you are reading on one device, you can sync another device so that it picks up where you left off. So If I've reached a certain point on my work Kindle, I can sync it to my phone and read on it when I'm in a waiting room at an appointment or on a bench in the mall while my wife shops.

Hey there !

You are not getting old Rex , you're just becoming a better modeler . I read you posts regularly and still do say this .You must be to planes and armor what I am to ships  . Don and I go back a ways in this part of the hobby  .

Oh , and Loren Perry and I were acquaintences because of my membership in the Golden Gate Model Yacht Club in San Francisco . Also , I had some ships under construction that we were going to have an article or two about . Alas , For whatever reasons Loren left and I lost interest .

 I am now writing a book at the behest of friends . It is called A Journey in Modeling . Yes it's about my first up to my present projects . You do realize that's over 63 years . As I research the story I start to remember models no one has even heard of .Wow !

    Can you picture preparing a model for competition in the" Fisher Body Craftsmans Guild " national contest ( for a scholarship ) ?  I learned a lot about achieving believable finishes with that ! Then I had to go to armor .The rest is history . Ships have always been my real passion though .

   They still are that way too . A ship will present many sides to you .You just NEVER want to hear a real one die .( did that twice in my life .) The two were the Andrea Doria and the M.V.Solar Star .

I am glad we have FSM and Scale Auto and Model Cars and all the rest .

 My favorite for ships is " Ships In Scale " Lotsa good stuff in them thar pages - Matey . Still over the years I have seen All Wood everything ( planes , ships , cars , trucks , and yes, even trains ! ) To fine slide molded Plastic , Resin , Brass and a combination there-of , And The books to go with them . I think we now have the best of all worlds . Just wish I could compress my stash to fit more in . LOL.LOL.  Tanker-Builder

TB, I am very glad to read that you decided to write that book. I don't remember seeing what your decision was before, just the convo about possibly doing it.

Good on ya

Rex

"You just NEVER want to hear a real one die .( did that twice in my life .) The two were the Andrea Doria and the M.V.Solar Star ."

TB, you just have to give us some more information about that!  There must be some great stories in those memories, or are ya saving them for your book?   

Gary

For aviation nuts, NASA has a number of publications available as PDF or epub, for use in ereaders.