CompuServe Messages

Phil, Please E-Mail me the good doctor's address. I will be happy to send him some thoughts by mail. Re: What to convert: Start with history, documents, photos, etc. of which the LC must have the ultimate collection. Either invite some private companies to co-produce (I'm sure that Bill Gates would JUMP at the chance!), or do it on your own, but set up a pricing structure that allows you to sell to/through distribution. There are many very good distributors around, Compton's comes to mind (they're selling between 20,000 to 30,000 discs per week). I'm equally sure that many of the pressing houses will probably extend credit for the work and accept payment after discs are sold (public service minded souls, that is). Then price the discs so the retail is low, say $29.95. You could probably command a wholesale/distributor's price of $10 or so and should be able to sell 10-30,000 discs per title per month (assuming you really get your teeth into this, go after schools, libraries, dealers, etc). Starting with one title could give you a positive cash flow of $100,000 per month, that would increment as new discs are put on line. Now you've got the money to do many more, and make yet more money (not for profit, of course, but to finance the further conversion). I am sure that others will have slightly different views of this, but there is a wealth of talent that you can draw on here in the Forum. The 3M folk are in the forum frequently–they would be the ones to advise you on life of disc. Remember, however, that the disc master is made of nickel and not subject to deterioration – just press more discs one hundred years from now! As to private companies undercutting you, they only will, or can, if you leave them room. Price the disc either so they can earn a margin by buying it from you and re-selling, or price low so they can't compete. You've got the storehouse of data that is of value. No one in the world could produce for less cost than you. (cont)