<VV> Re: BOOKS

[Shaun]

Hey Norm, for a retainer I'll be on hand to answer all your Corvair
questions. I'll even have my people research the tough ones! Send your
cheque directly.

yea, Vairily ... Shaun McGarvey, MBS

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Norman C. Witte" <ncwitte at wittelaw.com>
To: "'corvairs'" <lonwall at corvairunderground.com>; "'Ron'" <ronh at owt.com>
Cc: <N2VZD at aol.com>; <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 3:34 PM
Subject: RE: <VV> Re: BOOKS


> SNIP
>
> > On the other subject - It took me 12 minutes to type this
> > letter. I have
> > railed in the past about the "Internet mentality" that thinks
> > that all
> > information ought to be free - that means it has no inherent value.
> > There will always be lots of "free" information  but it will almost
> > always be totally inadequate for most people.
>
> SNIP
>
> I don't know that all information "ought" to be free...I make my living
> selling advice, after all.  But the free information available on this
list
> has enabled me to do things I never thought I would be able to do.
> Sometimes it's the reassurance that someone will call me out when I start
> down a wrong path that makes it easier for me to get comfortable with
> tackling projects, sometimes its a solution to a problem that I can't
> resolve after reading the shop manual, but the free advice I get on this
> list has been invaluable to me.  When I post a question, I frequently get
> answers that either don't address my problem or are obviously wrong, but
in
> between I also frequently get expert, accurate advice.  I try always to
> thank those who respond, even the ones whose advice I don't follow,
because
> at the very least they took time to address my question.
>
> I own a lot of Corvair books and I read them, but I disagree that the
"free"
> information I get here is anywhere near "totally inadequate."
>
> On further reflection, I don't think it's really free, either.  Instead
it's
> a barter system.  I share what I learn, and you share what you learn.
Terry
> Kalp has provided me with many excellent technical answers over the years.
> I was pleased in the last weeks when I was able to return the favor a
little
> by writing about installing the body trim around the well on my
convertible
> and about recovering the interior quarter panels.  It takes me time to
write
> down what I do, and for me time really is money, but I do it for two
> reasons.  First, I am proud of my accomplishments and I want to share what
I
> have done, and second, I hope to provide a resource for others who want to
> take on more ambitous projects than they've been willing to tackle in the
> past.
>
> I wasn't offended by the idea of writing out a detailed recipe for
> rebuilding motors.  Whether those who have the knowledge and skills also
> have the time and inclination, I don't know.  But I find it odd that the
> idea would generate such a strong negative reaction by various members of
> the list.  Maybe the idea will be stillborn, but the Basics manual started
> pretty much the same way.  Nothing wrong with throwing it out there and
> seeing if it will fly.
>
> I do think a lot of the necessary information can be found in places like
> the shop manual, Bob Helt's excellent book, the vendor catalogs, and so
> forth.  But if someone pulled together all the parts information in one
> place, there might be interest in such a publication.
>
> I don't think the idea deserves to be treated as a
> "you-just-don't-want-to-read-the-book" heresy.
>
> Go ahead and toast me.
>
> Norm
>
> PS  Hank, you must be mellowing.  Did I miss it or did you not issue the
> traditional closing phrase?
>
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