Jerry,
Book printed photographs are inferior to those on a computer screen hands down. It depends on the scan quality and file type used. The idea that a halftone print in a book is superior to a high resolution scan is rubbish.
Comparing a halftone print to a lousy low res version like most "fan" sites slap up would be a correct comparison.
I agree with you however on your point about books but I'll interject this:
The inability to sell books like they used to is likely also due to the over-saturation of the D&RGW in the narrow gauge world. I'd be interested in a snow fighting book for sure, the D&RGW connection only mildly interests me, the story of the men involved and that life would be the interesting part. I bet Farrell has had no trouble selling his Nevada Central book simply because it, like many railroads around the country, has been overshadowed by all facets of the D&RGW. Granted the D&RGW world needs more authors like you that do actual research and hard data and less recounting of tales from old books or recollections by railfans who lived during the 50's-60's decline of the railroad.
I believe that there is a place for both the books AND information on the internet. There is little reason why basic facts and rosters are NOT available for those interested online. Preventing the common information from being readily available will force those interested to seek out whatever book or source they can which answers this question. Often, this includes finding an old book containing outdated info and ignoring the work of folks like yourself, further propagating the myths of things like green boiler jackets, the color of Russia iron and "Red" on locomotive domes. This lack of information is slowly most assuredly killing our hobby, say what you will about books vs. internet, but the decline of our hobby is not something we cannot continue to ignore. We have to reach a happy medium here as to what should be available freely online vs. the hard work of the historians out there.
Andrew Brandon
A fixture here since Y2k.
[
www.pacificng.com]
[
www.spnghs.org]
"An end to red domes in our lifetime!"
