Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 17:43:56 -0400 From: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert) Subject: PUPT: Re: The Digital Error, I mean Era Jim, David, Dori, et al, The PofA and UNIMA directories do exist on someone's hard drive. As far as I know they are both compiled on computer and as Jim suggested it should not be too difficult to burn them into a cross platform disc. As opposed to publishing this info over the web a simple option would be to be able to select whether you want to have your directory mailed to you on cd or paper. I think with the current size of the PofA directory it just may be cheaper to produce and mail on cd than that thick paper directory. If it isn't perhaps there could be a small extra charge (like that paid by those who wish their info to come first class) to get this by cd instead of on paper. Although the UNIMA directory is not as large as the PofA one, think of the possibilities of adding a single photo to your company listing. I mean, doesn't the UNIMA directory already go out to producers, etc? David, while it is indeed true that a cd would be "obsolete within a year" that is also true even with the paper version of the list. That is why we get a new one every year or so. As for some people not wanting their phone/email etc. listed, it is not wierdness at all. You seem to be forgetting that not everyone in the PofA is a "working puppeteer". PofA is made up not only of profesionals, but also amatures, wannabees, supporters, families, junior members, libraries, etc., as is the Crit. So I ask you to understand and respect why some people on the list might not want all of their information published in the PofA directory or elsewhere. It is already very easy to get so much info, some people just don't want to make it any easier. I do agree with you, the info should be published, but not over the web. Jim hit on many other techno items - file compression, digital video, FTP sites, etc. - and suggested we puppeteers should get with the program. The digital age is apon us. Well, true. But honestly Jim, your days seem to have about 92 hours in them. I don't know how you fit it all in. Although I do understand what you're talking about (for the most part) it is all I can do to read up on the technology, much less master it AND wear the many hats of a small businessman and performer. A series of workshops at the festival on uses of computers for the puppeteer? I say yes and no. There have been some of these workshops at previous festivals and some were better than others. I agree that there should be some basic computer use workshops available at the festivals, but for more advanced/intense use perhaps a mini-fest that butted up to the begining or end of the festival that just dealt with computers and puppetry would be better. Those really interested could sign up to this special tract (paying an additional fee of course). I have seen this work at other festivals - not computers but for special tracts. Dori, the main reason for doing this sort of thing at a festival is that, even though you can learn much of the technology "back home", seeing it applied to your intrest - puppetry - is like seeing it in a whole new and inspiring light. Yes Jim, there are many of us "standing in that river". Some of us have a computer and are still trying to find the time to learn how to REALLY use it. For myself, I know that it is capable of much more than I currently get out of it, and I do feel that water rising. We do get caught in a whirlpool. Kind of hard to sign up to a computer class when your on the road so much. At some point it will be a matter of turning down a few bookings and losing some money in the short run in order to learn more and make more money in the long run. Kind of like putting the time aside to go to a festival. We have to say yes, it is an investment, but is it one I can afford at this point? Or is it an investment that I can't afford NOT to make at this point? It is the same questions that those still without computers (and obviously not reading this) will need to ask, and only they can say when the time will be right. Finally, Jim, since you brought all this up, have you proposed any of these workshops for the upcoming festival? Perhaps, as you say, you are not an expert but you certianly do have much to share and know more on the subject than many of us do. --- Personal replies to: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert) --- List replies to: puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- Admin commands to: majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
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