Librum Update

[Sarah]

First, a quick thank you to Oliver/Admin for permission to post this.

I know many folks here know of us, but for those who do not, a quick intro. *

The Librum site is a huge support site for OOM and MCC Deployment teams. *These teams go world wide to assist in many projects. *Most of the site is hidden, but we have two 'public' areas.

First is the most popular, the PDF section. *Here we host many files of homesteading interest. *The criteria are rough, such as the requirement that we have the REGISTERED copyright holder's permission, or have done a Library of Congress documented full search to clear the copyright. *It is at <offline>.

Second is the LOCER section. *These are student projects. *Students come to the Librum's enclave to learn, and get journeymen or masters papers in various trades, under Guild Masters. *One of these schools is book restoration. *The LOCER works are under active copyright (at restoration, per the newer laws, and registered) but are free to grab and enjoy. *While they are limited to fifty openings each, registration for a 'keeper' is only $3US, which helps defray costs. *These are at http://www.librum.us.

We do sell on CD and DVD 'grab bags' of *unlocked* selected LOCER works via eBay for those who have bandwidth issues, or who do not want to use the $3 Paypal registration system in each LOCER work. *Again, this is only a cost defray for us and the user.

The update:

LOCER Section. *ICS Reference #14. 1901. *ICS was the International Correspondence School, Scranton PA. *This volume contains actual correspondence courses. *The sections consist of: Carpentry, Joinery, Stair Building,
Geometrical Drawing, Architectural Drawing, Estimating and Calculating Quantities, and Specifications. *
LOCER eBook is 381,551,146 bytes.

LOCER Section: ASC Electric Collection. *American School of Correspondence. *This 'set' consists of six volumes.
Elements of Electricity and Magnetism. 1909
The Electric Current. 1909
Electrical Measurements. 1909
Electric Wiring. 1909
Electrical Lighting. 1909
Storage Batteries. 1909
Ebook is 351,164,528 bytes.

LOCER Section: ASC MATH Collection. *Five volumes.
Arithmetic I, II and III. 1910
Algebra I and II. 1910
Ebook is 257,658,808 bytes.
*Great for review, and for Homeschool (especially for moms that need to refresh!)*

LOCER Section: ASC Mechanical Drawing. Three volumes.
Mechanical Drawing I, II, and III. 1909
Ebook is 112,130,382 bytes.

That is this update. *Any questions please ask.

Sarah,
of the Librum

[annabella1]

I had so much fun reading pdfs last week, I came back today and checked and got "forbidden your are not allowed access to pdfs on this server". I really panicked until I got to the Librum help page and it said that the pdfs were down for revision, Thank you for keeping us informed and please post when they are accessible again.
Thank you again Sarah!

[Sarah]

Ouch, I forgot to change that index file's permission.

Other bad news, a copyright owner complained, as their file was taken from the site, then put in a compilation being sold on eBay. So now I/we have to find a way to 'lock' these before reopening.

Sarah

[Sarah]

Update to last.

We found a way to 'lock' the pdfs into exe format. Basically, it makes a pdf, converts to a new format, then locks out all the print as/save as/extract, etc. IBM only, but does not require a browser or a pdf reader. Testing is ongoing.

The first pass, now underway, is converting all to the new format. These will go into the DVDs (for sale).

The second pass will be to wrap the exes with our LOCER format for web hosting.

This is going to take a while. Sorry.

Sarah

[Sarah]

Folks, we now have some of our works in 'flipbook' format, and have placed some limited downloadables online for folks to play with. The idea is to have each file readable online, and limited version download-able. Right now, this is PC only.

I am awaiting our admin to give me the high sign, and then the MAC should also be able to read and download.

I do have a 'hot' list, so if there is one that you want converted ASAP, let me know, I am converting hottest first.

Sarah

[Sarah]

First update, we have brought back our DVD#1, and two to three are mailing out each day. It is the V5 edition of the ebook software. This is the same v4 editions as available on site with the in-ebook registraton. Basically everything that is V5 is on these. Avail via eBay or direct mail.

Second update. The V6/7 work is going well. V6/7 are the new trial/registered 'FlipAlbum' format we are experimenting with. Some of the V4/5 are being converted. Anyone 'handy' and homeschooling folks will want to look at this list and give me a 'I want this one!' note.

Third update. DVD#2, Audels Carpenters and Builders Guides (all four volume set) are converted to V7. We are getting rave reviews at the ability to 'blow up' the graphics. The D.C. Carpenters Union just ordered 500. Their masters wanted them for reference.

Fourth update. DVD#3. Audels Gardeners and Growers Guides (all four volume set) is to be converted to V7. No ETA yet. But again available in V5. Very popular.

Fifth update. DVD#4. The PDF collection has been discontinued. eBay piracy. ??? :-[

Sixth update. DVD#5. Foxfire #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, and JONA #0, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 just went to press.

Good Night!

[Sarah]

The Boy Mechanic Volumes 1 through 4 are now complete, eBayed as CD#7, and demos on site. Enjoy!

[Sarah]

Annabella, Do you remember any 'high-priorities'? We have a meeting coming up.

Sarah

[annabella1]

it's been so long now I don't remember. I just am really upset that some people doing things illegally makes it hard on all of us. I think I may be purchasing Cd's. That will protect me from a computer crash, but it would be good to see something on line before I buy.

[Sarah]

it's been so long now I don't remember. I just am really upset that some people doing things illegally makes it hard on all of us. I think I may be purchasing Cd's. That will protect me from a computer crash, but it would be good to see something on line before I buy.

Well, I know you are not talking about me/us! :) I can not even sneeze without the LOC Ombudsman asking if I am all right.

You can see everything online. We do host demo copies (sixty day limitation) of everything on the CD/DVDs. The exception is the old PDF DVD, which was removed from site and eBay. Our main sponsor, and main contributor of works, insists on it.

The downside is the time of conversion. It will still take a month of sundays to convert all those PDFs.

BTW: Not to appear to be 'pushing a sell', but I do have six copies of the PDF DVD. If interested, I will ask what they should now go for, they were $20 plus $5 s/h when on eBay.

Sarah

Sarah

[annabella1]

No I was talking about whoever put the stuff from your site on e bay. Its just too bad that the Librum has to take extra measures to protect these great books, just because there are people out there that will do anything to make a buck. Yes I think that the Librum is a great site. and I do appreciate being able to read the stuff before I buy. I was talking about buying the Cds the Librum has available. Sorry if you thought I was making a reference to you I was in kind of a depressed mood when I wrote that response and maybe it came off a little brash.

I would be interested in a copy of the pdf Cds Pm me and give me the details.

[Sarah]

Is O.K. Annabella, a poor attempt at humor by me, and I appreciate the kind words.

We are now talking about transitioning from eBay to OLA, or doing both. I may not go into reasons, but you hit on one of them in your message.

I must return to work. The new class is coming in, getting thier books for their class.

Sarah

[wmac]

Hello Everyone,

I became a member of this board today. The main reason behind coming here is to meet Sarah and others who have information and experience on distance and correspondence education (specially ICS and older institutions). I loved this type of learning since I was 12-13 and I have constantly looked into it for the past 20 years.

I registered for a CIE (Cleveland inst. of electronics) electronics course recently. You might think I am crazy if you know I already have a BSc in electronics and I am doing my phd in computer science. I know the subject very well but it is fun for me to see how people describe concepts in a simple language and how they organize a course to enable home learners to understand them without problem. I look into this as an Art.

By the way I have had an e-learning website since 2000 and I have written 2 books (which are suitable for independent learning). I am trying to work in this field again. That's why I want to learn more about those who have done it before. It's not for the money (although money is welcome) but mostly because I love teaching people and love creating easy to understand learning materials.

Anyway I am trying to track the updates to Librum collection. Any piece of the collection is an art work for me and it's pleasant to read and look at them.

Sarah, I will appreciate if you inform us of the updates from time to time.

Thanks,
Mac (universiti sains malaysia)

[Sarah]

Hello, Mac,

I am limited to what I may post in these forums, and may be crossing the line in this reply. I hope not. I suspect this thread is the origin of the 'Member Business' sub-forum, as it could easily have gotten out of control. I was surprised to see it bumped by your response, I thought it had been killed.

At present, the ICS project is our main resource eater. We are working on a expanded re-release of that DVD. It will also include some ASC materials. The second eater is the Majere's Chemical DVD.

Majere was one of our elders, with several degrees. Two of his were in Chemistry, and he LOVED the old receipt books. He never realized the completion of his 'dream bookcase' list, but now that we have them all, we are working to create a sort of memorial to his love.

The best way to keep tabs on our work is to visit the site. We update, normally, on a monthly basis. I know we are overdue right now, but taking care of his services has knocked the stuffing out of us.

Another issue we are having to fight through is that Majere OWNED the UK copyrights of anything pre-1950 ICS. Who owns them now? The will was not clear. So we have to wait for the lawyers to have their day, and say. We are continuing as if we have full permission, as he willed his entire library to us.

If there is anything on the ICS master list (which also needs updatement) that you want, let me know, I keep a tally sheet of such requests. And the students do ask.

Sarah

[Sarah]

Annabella,

Just curious. You never sent a message that you got the DVD. I got buried. Did you get it?

Sarah