P3D Re: free information

[STDudley@xxxxxxx]

Dr. George Themelis writes:
    
    <<
    I am still uncomfortable with the idea of the free information in the
    web and the expectation that people do it.  I did not collect this 
    information from the web.  And no one paid for my books, subscriptions
    in stereo publications and cameras, films and mounts used in getting
    this experience.  Why do people expect that I put the information on,
    say how to repair a viewer, free in the web but if they send their
    viewer it is OK to charge them $35 for doing the work.  I can get paid
    for using a screw driver and a dremel tool but cannot get paid for
    using a computer keyboard.  Why so?  The cost of getting information
    has been reduced to zero in the web and I am not sure I like it.  
    People who live by selling information (like this guy, Ed Romney
    who writes camera repair manuals) will be without a job if this
    information ends up somewhere in the web.
    
    Any thoughts?>>
    
     You know George, a while ago I bought a nice TDC projector from a fellow
club member who happens to be a "Master IV Stereographer".  I have also
learned a great deal about shooting stereos from him and other experienced
club members.  Can you imagine how much money, time and dedication -- not to
mention the skill and expertise it must of taken him to earn this rating?  It
amounts to over 220 different titles and over 788 acceptances at PSA
sanctioned exhbitions over 30 + years!  Nonetheless, he gives his advice feely
to me and he even sold the projector to me for his cost of $300 with the nice 
  -- harder to find -- 4" lenses.  He could have gotten more $$ out of it, but
he knew I would make good use of it as a HOBBYIST.  You on the other hand,
George, justify making a profit to support your "hobby".  It makes me wonder
about your true motives.    Are you in it for the love of a hobby -- or is
this a business?  I suppose a real "litmus" test would be whether you write-
off your expenses to say --- the NSA/PSA conferences on your taxes.
  
   I do have a "thought" for you.  Why don't you start a "Businessman's-3D"
and you and the rest of the people on this forum who want to dicuss money-
making ideas on 3-D can exchange your profit-making ideas there and keep them
off of this forum.  I for one would certainly appreciate it.
  
  Steve Dudley,
  VP Chicago Stereo Camera Club,
  Stereo Flash Newsletter Editor and 
  3D Hobbyist
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