Re: New AMC book....what would you like to see??

["Gary Walker" <NashFlash@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I really do not want to get into this.  I have written enough in AMC 
oriented publications in the past about hard copy data.    Once again, I 
will throw my opinion into the ring.  This time I will not go into much 
detail or look up very much data.    The reason I don't want to do that is 
the SAME reason I feel compelled to write this note.  The hard copy stuff is 
too time consuming to orient and often impossible to get to.   I, for 
example, have a lot of AMC books, literature, and AMC data ridden magazines 
( Which are often wrong )  in two houses 130 miles apart.  In either case I 
would have to wrestle with stacks of magazines and books for days which is 
what a computer is for in the first place !
   Let me just ask you this to get us on the same track ;
What form of communication are we using now ?    The computer, right ? 
When we relate information to each other on the list, we critique it if 
necessary, right ?   OK.    If you had bought it in the form of a book, you 
would be using the data right or wrong and relating it to someone else, 
right or wrong,  and ordinary people in this hobby, ( I know ! ), and 
relating erroneous data to the very people who build our parts.   These 
companies have many times in the past and to this day, manufacture AMC 
racing and replacement parts according to bad data.   My point is that data 
on a website can be easily amended after collaboration and agreement, the 
mistakes then forever gone and additional data added.   For myself, I hope 
that I will NEVER have to buy another AMC fact oriented book because they 
ALL drive me crazy with all the mistakes which inevitably begin to 
permanently permeate untruths.  If done on a website, data can be affirmed 
or corrected by the keeper of the site according to the proof provided by 
participants in the project as questions arise.
  The attempts at hard print have been extremely varied.   I will note a 
nice but extremely naive guy that said he would publish "All" data on AMC 
and began by actually asking everyone what they thought the size was of ( a 
particular small engine part which I will not name to prevent hurt 
feelings ) .   I mean gee, what the hell do you do with that ?   The part in 
question has literally dozens of dimensions which vary from year to year as 
well as metallurgy data.   Asking opinions is DEFINITELY not the way to go. 
( But we all know that ).   Many of us have SETS !,  and I repeat SETS ! of 
AMC originated or other hard core scientifically originated data in hard 
form which can be accumulated to begin a    *  SEARCHABLE  *   data base. 
(  And yes, I will admit that some of this data will be faulty, even if it 
came from a "Chilton"s or even our sacred "Performance American Style" by 
AMC.   ( More on that later if I don't give up or out first. )    There is 
also the case of the two inch wide thumb on the keyboard.   That can be 
fixed too if on the net !   If left in print it is permanent.  If kept under 
review, it can be corrected.   For myself,  if you like to publish, then 
stick to novels, short stories, or biographies !    I like them too !     In 
my opinion, we do not need them here.   Photo collections, on the other 
hand, I feel may be desirable in hard copy for framing or postering for some 
members.
   I have more, but I am stressed now.
    Your Friend,
     Gary Walker
      Owner of some old sh----, I mean stuff
       Includindinginginging    I am tirrrrred