Actually the factory uses a free version of a utility to create PDF files,
available to all at http://www.fineprint.com/.
Best regards,
Rob Housman
A070
-----Original Message-----
Behalf Of Jeremy Davey
Subject: Re: Manuals on the Net
Cleve raises some very valid points. Indeed, I believe it is the IP issue
that is the concern with a free-for-all download of the manual pdfs. Part of
the problem may also be that pdf is not the manual's original format - and
they would have to purchase a copy of the software used to convert it to pdf
in order to distribute copies widely.
As many on the Forum know, we have a new Club web site under contruction,
and I hope to put it live imminently. One of the items under consideration
for the future is a password protected members-only section and, if my
memory serves me right, one of the items suggested for this was (subject to
factory agreement, of course) the manual pdfs.
This would potentially make them available to Europa builders, with a
significantly lower risk of them being plagiarised.
I'm going to be in Korea for the next week or so, but next time I call the
factory I'll sound them out.
On the subject of an index for the manual raised by someone else (I forget
who - sorry) - there is one for both Classic and current manuals on the Club
Web Site - both old and new versions. www.europaclub.org.uk.
Regards,
Jeremy
-----Original Message-----
From: forum-owner@europaclub.org.uk
clevelee@cswebmail.com
Subject: Re: Manuals on the Net
My company too supplies software, and under certain conditions will supply
.pdf
files for customer review.
The problem is that manuals also represent significant intellectual property
and
creative solutions to problems. You are effectively giving all the
competition
clever ways to design their aircraft. The europa control system is
reasonably
unique, as is the strength/structure of the molded cockpit and ways to
install
controls into this environment. If it were my company I wouldn't do it for
general consumption.
On the other hand, it would be an additional strong selling point to make
the
.pdf version available to registered builders of Europas. As the kit market
advances, it is a way for Europa to stay on the leading edge (pun intended -
as
their airfoil is 'leading edge'. One is still faced with the relatively
easy
capability to distribute a manual in .pdf format even after it has been
purchased as part of a kit.
One solution may be to provide access to chapters on their web site through
password protection and do not allow downloading.
Cleve
On Wed, 25 September 2002, "Nigel Graham" wrote:
>
> If weight of numbers persuades the factory to make the .pdf
manuals
> available on their website.....let me add my name to the list.
>
> Our company supplies engineering design software - and all our manuals are
> available for free download. Our experience shows that potential
customers
> buy into the product. If you have a good product (and Europa do) it's a
> great selling tool.
>
> My 2 pence worth
>
> Nigel
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: JW xs191@attbi.com
> Subject: Re: Wing skin closeout spacing (pdf files???)
>
>
> I agree completely. The pictures in some cases leave one to just
making
> an
> uneducated guess, or calling the factory, or asking this list. Why
in the
> world
> would the availability of pdf files be a secret?
>
> Rob Housman wrote:
>
> In re: the quality of the photos in the printed manual.
>
> They are generally horrid, but if you ask nicely you might get
the
> factory
> to supply some of the manual in Adobe Acrobat portable document
format.
> The
> color photos are excellent. Oops, I've let the cat out of the
bag!
> Actually if the folks in Kirkbymoorside were on the ball they
would
have
> the
> entire manual available for download from their web site.
>
>
> The Europa Forum is supported by Aviators Network UK
info@avnet.co.uk
> In the event of problems contact
forum-owner@europaclub.org.uk
> The Europa Club website is at <a
href="http://mail.cswebmail.com//jump/http://www.europaclub.org.uk>">http:
//www.europaclub.org.uk
>
> The Europa Forum is supported by Aviators Network UK
info@avnet.co.uk
> In the event of problems contact forum-owner@europaclub.org.uk
> The Europa Club website is at <a
href="http://mail.cswebmail.com//jump/http://www.europaclub.org.uk>">http:
//www.europaclub.org.uk
The ALL NEW CS2000 from CompuServe
Better! Faster! More Powerful!
250 FREE hours! Sign-on Now!
http://www.compuserve.com/trycsrv/cs2000/webmail/
|