LOOKOUT LIBRARY

As of 11/27/2008 a full back up of the Library had been made consisting of 3 DVD disks. These include all folders and files of the library electronically. The Library is kept using Microsoft Vista which still seems to cause problems with people still using older operating systems. Still, using the Vista system seems to be the best management method for this information as it incorporates many features not found on older systems.

Microsoft Word 2003 is the basic word program with some documents in Microsoft Works and spread sheets using Excel. The method of imbedding photographs within Word documents is slowly being phased out of the content. This has caused problems in the past with viewing these type documents. It’s hoped that all the previous older documents using this method will at some point be replaced. The PDF writer program, known as “Cute PDF writer” has been of very good use, by making PDF copies of any type of document file. This breakthrough idea has solved countless problems of storing and saving many types of documents. The one drawback perhaps is that it is somewhat difficult to make corrections to such PDF documents but ways of getting around this are also possible.

Microsoft word 2007 add-ons still seem to be confusing to work with, so the slightly older 2003 version is used.   The current computer being used that was purchased through the Association is working fine.  Internet Virus controls from Norton Symantec is used with pop up blockers and Spam blocking. Recently installed Ascentive Speed program has greatly increased functionality and protection. A 3 ½ “ floppy drive was added some time ago, that enables transfer of files from the old Gateway Windows 98/2000 system that also is in use. The Windows Vista program sometimes creates blank emails in transmission- but by a small trick, this can be over ridden by “clicking” on the “Forward to” tab which then will let the message come up on the screen. This glitch Is still being worked out by Microsoft apparently.

Currently, finances are still the factor to have a “cable internet” connection here in my area. Cost compared to the “dial up” service is still about equal and our cable service here is sporadic. Phone connections usually remain constant. I’m still working on a way I can afford to switch to the full cable internet mode with the company we have here in the Sussex County NJ area. There aren’t a lot of options here. Cable services are available to do this- finances are the problem.

I periodically back up the full Lookout Library on DVD disks. As yet, I do not have a quicker way of producing more copies to send to people. If anyone else has a better idea how this could be done, it would be appreciated as I think it’s important as many FFLA folks have advantage of the information that comes in.

The Library Contents are as follows in Summary
A total of 11.2 Gigabytes of storage material of 29,409 files in 3,215 folders in 23 individual library sub-groups. as of 12/26/2008
The full description follows on accompanying page.  Periodically a complete set of disks are made and shipped to the Forest History Society in Durham, North Carolina where our archive is maintained. Recently shipped copies have also been to Bill Cobb, Keith Argow, Henry Isenberg and a few others.

The Forest History Society as part of our Corporate membership also from time to time produces paperback editions of “Environmental History”. There are currently 8 issues in the Library cabinet, the newest being the October 2008 edition.  These are available to be loaned out to members if they wish them, but they should be returned when finished with so others could also read them, otherwise whichever future Conferences I can get to, I’ll try to have them on hand, logistics as always being a problem here.

90% of the Lookout information received these days is through the email and internet sites that goes into the Library, most of this same information is available to anyone else who is online. Still, I do a bit of researching photographs of Lookouts on request of individuals and have been able to assist many people with these. My special thanks go to Mark Haughwout, VT, Bill Starr, NY,Smoke Pfeiffer, Dave Lorenz, Dave Bula,  Merle Waltz, PA, Bill Cobb, MA, Keith Argow and Gary Weber, and Ray Kresek who continually provide updated information on lookouts and goings on in the “Lookout Community” around the world. Our email friend in Australia, Gerrie Bussem continually keeps me up to speed on events in his area of Victoria, Australia. I know I’m leaving a lot of people’s names out, please don’t feel slighted, we are all an important part of the FFLA.

I look forward to continuing as the Association’s Historian, it is a rewarding job to study our mutually interesting subject material, our Lookout Library continues to grow in capacity and new ways of getting this information out to more members is always my quest.

I will update this in January before the next meeting and provide up to that date content of Lookout Library.

Thanks again to all.

Bob Spear

Bob Spear, Historian FFLA

Lookout Library                                   

NOTE: numbers of files & folders updated as information is added 
Date;   01/04/2009