RE: [at-l] Is there room for an ultimate Thru-Hikers Guide??

[kahley7 <kahley7@ptd.net>]

At 10:35 AM 2/9/00 -0500, you wrote:

>You know, here's a passing thought.  Has anyone ever considered the idea of
>taking a project like this online?

Yes.....in fact I have asked Ryan for room and he has agreed.  I have been
only afraid of not being able to get the on the trail info.  No way can I visit
every town and check out the services let alone run a wheel to do the mileages.
I'd be more than pleased to be involved in a group effort.  and Ryan is willing
to host the site.  Let's do it!!!!

>  We could certainly distribute the
>research, there are enough people out there who know their areas of the
>trail well enough and could supply far more insightful info than the
>guidebooks normally do (a la this list).  We'd be able to update in real
>time, would never have to worry about publishing costs, or when it "comes
>back from the printer".  We'd also be able to take just the areas we need
>for a certain hike, and print the relevant material (card stock, or small
>print on paper or something).
>
>I do web development for a living here, so a site like this wouldn't be so
>technically complicated, as it would be person-power intensive.  It would
>require a good design to come up with a way of making sure that there were
>people in place who could make sure content was relevant and possible even
>correct before letting it on.  (This sort could be similar to these weblogs
>we've got all over the place now.)
>
>If anyone would be interested in talking some more about this, let me
>know...
>
>Just my $.02
>
>         tom
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-at-l@backcountry.net [mailto:owner-at-l@backcountry.net]On
>Behalf Of AT-L Guest Post
>Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2000 8:20 AM
>To: unclemilt@backcountry.net
>Subject: [at-l] Is there room for an ultimate Thru-Hikers Guide??
>
>
>* Message posted to AT-L from the National Scenic Trails Website
>* by our guest Eric Cole <PAAThiker@aol.com>.
>* Please use <mailto:PAAThiker@aol.com> to reply to the sender.
>
>As a lurker on the list I have read some threads about several Thru-Hiking
>guides and Handbooks some not available and some (in some peoples
>opinion)good but not needed on the trail. In 13 years I have hiked all of
>the AT except for about 230 miles in different states from VA. to ME. and
>have used nothing but the publised state guides and maps. Most of the data
>was helpful but alot of it was flat out wrong probably the reason being the
>editorial was several years out of date. I have recently read several other
>publications and each have there strengths and weeknesses.
>
>As the owner of a publishing firm (we write and publish automotive and
>aircraft technical manuals)and a lover of hiking and the AT I have tasked my
>editorial management staff with an estimate of time and page count to create
>what I call an Ultimate Thru-Hikers Guide to the A.T.
>
>The time to create from scratch and edit came to @4000 editorial hours (3
>editors 10 months field work and writing) which is expensive but not a
>problem. The real problem would be page count. We estimate that the bound
>book would be 1,280 pages which could possibly hinder anyone from carrying
>it on the trail. We are currently looking at ways to trim page count (type
>face, paper stock, etc.), but before I undertake this project (it would be
>in print for a 2001 thru-hike) I thought that I should de-lurk and see what
>you all (my peers) would think.
>
>I hope all of you respond.
>
>Thanks in advance
>Bad Ankles
>
>
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>
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