|
There is something magical about a big, fat book.If by magical you mean annoying to take with you anywhere, yeah it's magical, I'd rather have it split in two just so I didn't have to lug the entire thing around if I'm just going to be a player. I know I'm a minority though.
it doesn't weight asmuch as i am used to carry when i am DM out of my house...people actually asked if i was leaving town... you don't want to see me packing for vacations where i have roleplaying friends...
my meaning of paking lightly is a not so small case with clothes... a bag packs with books, and a protfolio with notes... the laptop goes inside the case... haven't travled like that in about5 years... i needto do it soon :D
to play at somoene else house usuallyis abckpack, protfolio, laptop... + groseries and food :D
|
|
That's exactly what I meant--I have no idea what all these bibliophiles are talking about. I was just envisioning a lonely knight, staggering under the weight of a colossal book that threatened to make chivalry completely extinct. I've got to figure out a way to be less transparent online...these leaves aren't helping at all.There is something magical about a big, fat book.If by magical you mean annoying to take with you anywhere, yeah it's magical, I'd rather have it split in two just so I didn't have to lug the entire thing around if I'm just going to be a player. I know I'm a minority though.
explain methen... why the punny wizard is able to carry it?
pussy :P
explain me then... why the puny wizard is able to carry it?
Telekinetic Sphere?
Mine's bigger.
No really.
Some years ago, I did some temp work for extra cash, after hours cleaning at a publishers. I pulled a massive white sample out of the skip, it's just over 6 inches thick! It's now about 1/10 filled with RPG game notes and my group affectionately refer to it as "The Tome". I'll never forget their faces when I pulled that 'bad-boy' out and dumped it on the table!
It sucks to game at someone else's place though - it's far too heavy to transport comfortably.
Peace,
tfad
How does someone get one of these things? Preferably 2-3 inches thick. I could find several uses for these.
Work for a publisher or a big printer.
We get things like this (not that big, most of the time, because they're very expensive to print and ship) in now and then if we're using new dimensions or new packaging. They usually come with an estimate with printing costs from China (or wherever the printer is located) based on how much ink is to be used.
Otherwise, a huge three-ring binder is the next best solution. Or you could even take a book binding course and learn to make your own.
and level 1 wizards?explain me then... why the puny wizard is able to carry it?Telekinetic Sphere?
Ah...I thought "puny" referred to physical strength, not level.
|
How does someone get one of these things? Preferably 2-3 inches thick. I could find several uses for these.
Work for a publisher or a big printer.
We get things like this (not that big, most of the time, because they're very expensive to print and ship) in now and then if we're using new dimensions or new packaging. They usually come with an estimate with printing costs from China (or wherever the printer is located) based on how much ink is to be used.Otherwise, a huge three-ring binder is the next best solution. Or you could even take a book binding course and learn to make your own.
If someone has a couple hard cover 1-1/2" to 3" white sample that they don't have a use for, I would be interested in trading for them or outright paying for shipping or something. falsehealer at yahoo dot com and let me know if anyone has something available.
Or you could even take a book binding course and learn to make your own.
Sooooo much fun. My art table is littered with awls, chipboard, thread and linen tape. :D
I went to the online retail sites for the major carriers, looking to see their cheapest over-the-counter rates for a 5.5 pound package to an address in Germany; here are the prices I got (keeping in mind this doesn't include the cost of packing materials):UPS: $113.85 (Worldwide Expedited)
DHL: $127.32 (Worldwide Priority Express)
Fed Ex: $114.64 (International Economy)
Wow. Mailorder is right out then. Buying a book for 50 $ and paying more than double that in shipping is insane. Well, I guess I will have to find a store where they sell this book in Germany then.
Stefan
While looking for a shop in Germany, I remembered Dragonworld.de. Judging from all the Pathfinder products they list as backordered, Pathfinder seems to sell quite good there. I guess I have my source for the Pathfinder RPG ;-)
Stefan
|
Since the USPS eliminated surface mail, it's become very expensive to ship anything over 4 pounds overseas.
I went to the online retail sites for the major carriers, looking to see their cheapest over-the-counter rates for a 5.5 pound package to an address in Germany; here are the prices I got (keeping in mind this doesn't include the cost of packing materials):
UPS: $113.85 (Worldwide Expedited)
DHL: $127.32 (Worldwide Priority Express)
Fed Ex: $114.64 (International Economy)(By comparison, we're able to charge $44.03 for USPS International Priority to the same address.)
We also looked into the possibility of doing a large freight shipment to a partner in the EC and then having them post individual orders locally, but I'm pretty sure that by the time you add up the freight costs, the local postage costs, and a service fee to make it worthwhile for the partner, we'd be close enough to the USPS price that it wouldn't be worth it.
We'll keep looking, though....
Shipping to Germany via M-Bag
Direct Sack to One Addressee — M-Bags (260)
Weight not over 11 lbs. - USD 33$
Each additional pound or fraction of a pound - USD 3.00$
Weight limit 66 pounds
Normal priority mail for 6 pounds to Germany = 40,50$.
So basically it will amount to the 44.03 USD for shipping for a 5.5 pound book, since mbags are sometimes handled quite violnetly during transfer. I have received 3 of them up till now and with 2 the packages had dents, but the interior was packaged accordingly - bubblewraps around the books + plastic around the box - but even then one box got torn. It took long to arrive, but please have a look at this, as it might get useful for larger shipments.
Another idea would be a special discount for international customers on the PDF of the product. Then I would be able to buy the book via other channels (Dragonworld for Germans, or Amazon come to my mind) and could still support my favourite RPG company for issuing such a behemoth. Something like an International Pathfinder Super Advantage linked to an existing subscription....
Chief Technical Officer
|
Shipping to Germany via M-Bag
Sorry—the maximum weight for any single item in an M-Bag is 4 pounds. (See 261.1.b) That rule is why I keep talking about a 4-pound weight limit before things have to go Priority.
Another idea would be a special discount for international customers on the PDF of the product.
There will be ways to get the PDF for free, but we're not ready to disclose those details just yet.
|
|
So 5 pounds eh? Will there be any special shipping rates for this book when it comes out? (just read the postings about shipping & such)We're looking to see what we can do, but I don't have much hope. Since the USPS eliminated surface mail, it's become very expensive to ship anything over 4 pounds overseas.
I went to the online retail sites for the major carriers, looking to see their cheapest over-the-counter rates for a 5.5 pound package to an address in Germany; here are the prices I got (keeping in mind this doesn't include the cost of packing materials):
UPS: $113.85 (Worldwide Expedited)
DHL: $127.32 (Worldwide Priority Express)
Fed Ex: $114.64 (International Economy)(By comparison, we're able to charge $44.03 for USPS International Priority to the same address.)
We also looked into the possibility of doing a large freight shipment to a partner in the EC and then having them post individual orders locally, but I'm pretty sure that by the time you add up the freight costs, the local postage costs, and a service fee to make it worthwhile for the partner, we'd be close enough to the USPS price that it wouldn't be worth it.
We'll keep looking, though....
Vic, to be clear, you're saying that you can use USPS International Priority for that rate, right (as per their rates)? Some of the Europeans are getting concerned...
I think they take turns taking it home each night. The fights for the weekends are especially vicious.
|
Chief Technical Officer
|
So there's no way to get the weight down (You know removing things like the ribbons? Changing the cover to a soft cover things like that?)
We don't have ribbons, but they wouldn't make the difference between over 5 pounds and under 4 pounds (and neither would the cover). The only way to bring it down would be to split it into two books—but then two medium books would cost a lot more than one big book.
|
Chief Technical Officer
|
Vic, to be clear, you're saying that you can use USPS International Priority for that rate, right (as per their rates)? Some of the Europeans are getting concerned...
Yep—what I'm saying is that the cheaper Standard Shipping is not an option for international orders containing this book—as of now, the only reasonable option we *can* use is International Priority.
(On the plus side, though, one can add a bunch of smaller books to the order without seeing the shipping cost go up much....)
There is something magical about a big, fat book.Why yes. Yes there is.I have to agree. Maybe it's the bibliophile in me, but when I picked up the white sample and held it in my hands and flipped through its blank pages... I couldn't help but get excited at imagining what the interior of the final product would look like. Beyond that, I couldn't help imagine filling a book that big with my own writing or drawings, or having someone else do so. And on top of that, books are complex creatures, and even blank they're fascinating. Also fascinating is the fact that the printer created a blank book in the first place, something that not so long ago would have probably been a ridiculous waste of time and resources.
Books are magical no matter what's in them.
I agree that books are magical.
My wife laughs at me, because apparently I do the same thing with all my new books. She pointed it out to me last spring. I never really thought about before then.
I do the following.
I wait until the kids are in bed, then I get the book and sit on our bed.
I look at the front and read the back cover.
I open the front cover.
I then read the index.
I smell the pages. (This is were I catch her laughing) (I love the small of a new book)
I slowly flip all the pages scanning for some thing the stand out.
Then I start reading it.
Hi my name is Sannos and I have a problem...
Hi my name is Sannos and I have a problem...
Dear Sannos,
We've all been there. But don't worry, partners with Book Appreciation Deficiency Disorder (BADD) can receive help. With years of support, understanding, and therapy, she too will share your completely salutary love of books, including their olfactory charms.Until she reaches that point, we're here for you.
M.
|
|
Ribbon, please.
...And as Sannos points out, "I smell the pages. (This is were I catch her laughing) (I love the small of a new book)"
I actually love the smell of new books too. Strange, I know.
I believe the "unmentionable" thing is the smell of the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting and Adventure Paths.... to point out the obvious, the Beta Playtest smelled okay, but the other stuff is less than desirable in this regard.
So, to summarize, in addition to great quality and the joy of substantive, industry-leading content, I would also like a book that smells good... er, with a ribbon, please.
*laughs*
*continues laughing*
Seriously.
Or you could even take a book binding course and learn to make your own.Sooooo much fun. My art table is littered with awls, chipboard, thread and linen tape. :D
I wish I had time to learn. I would make my own sketchbooks and not pay out the nose for them and do all kinds of other projects.
Fakey, we don't make many hardcovers, but I'll keep an eye out for extra blanks that they won't miss.
|
|
Or you could even take a book binding course and learn to make your own.Sooooo much fun. My art table is littered with awls, chipboard, thread and linen tape. :DI wish I had time to learn. I would make my own sketchbooks and not pay out the nose for them and do all kinds of other projects.
Fakey, we don't make many hardcovers, but I'll keep an eye out for extra blanks that they won't miss.
Thanks James!
|
|
i must agree
the smell of anew book is good... but
*blushes*
i do prefer the smell of old books... don't get me wrong new books are great
but finding and old tome, lost and alone where no one wants it makes me happy, specially if it took me years to find it... i just could not stop me from taking it home (i swear last time i went to Tucson about a 1/4th of my resources wnet in used books)
all my books are treated with love... cof... most hardcovers get plastic covers to protect them... that is how my 2nd edition and 3.0 are in so good condition, but opening them and just looking at the pages as i smell it, bring memories of old and fun times.
also i must admit thepoor fellas suffer in my hand as i like to open them, the side is always hurt... but it shows use and care :D
i am Montalve... and i know i am biblophile... and i don't care
i must agree
the smell of anew book is good... but
Actually, some of the pathfinder books didn´t smell that good IMO. I don´t know if this is due to the colors used or whatever, but it was mildly annoying to me.
Really old books have a certain smell of old paper and slight mould (I think), I own some books around 100 years old, and you smell them in the cabinet they stand in.My books are generally very well treated. Some paperbacks I own and have read don´t look like they have been touched at all, and most RPG books I have are in quite good condition despite using them. The players handbooks show heavy wear, however.
I recently bought another AD&D1 OA because my copy fell apart at the first 20 pages or so....
That book had defective binding for the whole run, it seems, as most copies I have seen have the same problem.
Stefan
|
|
I recently bought another AD&D1 OA because my copy fell apart at the first 20 pages or so....
That book had defective binding for the whole run, it seems, as most copies I have seen have the same problem.
That one and AD&D1 Unearthed Arcana. I think I had OA for less than a month before it started coming apart. UA held out quite a bit longer, but ended up in worse shape.
That one and AD&D1 Unearthed Arcana. I think I had OA for less than a month before it started coming apart. UA held out quite a bit longer, but ended up in worse shape.I recently bought another AD&D1 OA because my copy fell apart at the first 20 pages or so....
That book had defective binding for the whole run, it seems, as most copies I have seen have the same problem.
Hm... my UA had no troubles at all, and is still in good shape.
Even though I have a bad dust allergy, I love the smell of a tiny, cramped used bookstore that's crammed floor to ceiling with 20-year old paperbacks in aisles barely wide enough to fit through. :D