Jamie Honan wrote:
> One thing that worked partially for large user manuals for FREE SOFTWARE
> was gluing a spine using a hot glue gun then two stiff covers
> and cloth type tape.
As a poor student, I recycled all the prog printouts (no screens then)
by making them into pads using wood glue/adquahere, which was
satisfactory. However, pad glue does exist and is more flexible than
wood glue. I don't know how flexible hot glue is.
I've previously bound booklets by heavy duty staples on left hand side,
then thick covers with spine tape
Auctions for a fully metal, heavy duty version of the comb binding
system is one of my goals (kicks self for turning down offer of one in
1990). These systems can have all parts used when new version of manual
comes out. Also allows you to acculmulate "papers" on a subject as cover
(heavy card) stays the same and you just step up the comb binding size.
>
> > P.S. Whilst printing pray you don't get a paper jam!
>
> Indeed. I find this especially happens with already printed paper.
> As well, inserting upside down, right way round paper requires
> a small handy cheat sheet.
I have some A4 size sheets of plat steel to correct this. The moment I
take 250 sheets out of the good old Gestetner postscript, they go flat
on the desk with a plate on top and a few manuals. By the time you have
printed 1,000, they will generally go through again okay. Flat surface +
pressure whilst hot = no trouble double sided printing when cool.
>
> <dreamland>
> I wish OfficeWorks or Snap or ... had a service (via the web) where you
> uploaded a postscript file, it gave you a quote based on number of pages,
> copies, sides, colour, binding etc. Later it was delivered or you picked
> it up. </dreamland>
I've considered this. The problem is cost and people will not pay it as
they keep comparing the cost to the cost of mass produced systems like
books, photocopying and comb binding is almost as common as desk top
computers..
Cost of printer hardware 1c/page
Cost of toner,service,etc 5c/page
Cost of paper 1c/page
Cost of computer & software 3c/page (HW=0.5c, MS SW = 2c/page {:-)
Total per page printed 10c so double sided = 20c
Plain Covers $1 each = $2/booklet
Binding $3 each
So a 100 page booklet is $15.
Courier is $10 and post $5.
But we are considering re-publishing our next book by laser printer
anyway. Because it is a guide book, it will follow software version
numbers more than book editions. the cover will still be done offset.
> A small plug for htmldoc. Converts html to pdf and ps. Nice GUI,
> headers, footers etc.
Bummer - now you mention it. I know someone (in the MS world) who was
wanting to do this a few months ago - aww what the heck, I'll post it to
their list anyway. Thanks
--
Terry Collins {:-)}}} Ph(02) 4627 2186 Fax(02) 4628 7861
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www: http://www.woa.com.au
WOA Computer Services <lan/wan, linux/unix, novell>
"People without trees are like fish without clean water"
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