The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just learned from Robert Baumbach that George Frow's Edison Cylinder Phonograph Companion is once again available! The new version is not a hard-copy, but an e-book (I think that's the correct term) that can be downloaded to an iPad or newer Mac - - and for a fraction of the price a hard-copy version would cost.

Here's a sample page:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/edison ... 2534?mt=11

Bob showed me a few pages on his iPad at Union, and it is impressive. Drop-downs, pop-up pages with more details, and the full-color photography I saw looked great. PLUS, as new information becomes available, it will be provided in future updates, so you'll always have the latest available version of the book.

I have no financial interest in this endeavor. I'm just pleased to see this information made available again for those who have iPads and/or Macs. Don't ask me any questions concerning this; I don't own either of these devices and I know next to nothing about computers and software. The requirements are listed in the link above. Bob monitors this forum, and I'm sure will be pleased to answer any questions put to him.

Many thanks to Bob for making this landmark book available again!

George P.

George

Thanks for the lead. I just got it...what a fantastic resource to have on my ipad. You need to get your books online, too...especially the compendium!

Anil

I'm sorry for being a bit of a wet-blanket, but I can't imaging enjoying "The Talking Machine: an Illustrated Compendium" on a hand-held digital device...


I'm still suffering from the demise of Kodachrome film, please don't take-away my lovely, fabulously illustrated coffee-table books !


I suppose if digital is the only way a "book" can be available, it's better than nothing at all...


I'm glad I got my bound copy of Frow's "Edison Cylinder Companion" when I did, some ten years ago...

I just downloaded my copy. The pictures look great. The continued updates should be a definite plus. I have a printed copy, but I take my iPad everywhere when traveling, so it should help me "on the go" when looking at phonographs away from home.
Thanks for the "heads up"!
Matt

Mattrx...

Hadn't thought about the "portability factor".... there might be something to these e-books after all...

The hardback book weighs a little under 900 grams. What does an iPad weigh?

I wouldn't know. I have never seen one.

I agree that I would never give up my hard copies of any of the books I have. And there is nothing close to the joys of the book fondling experience. Having said that I can carry 100-200 books and have them when I need to look up a fact or show something to someone. So I want George's books on my library shelf, my reading desk AND on my iPad. I am waiting for Bob to make the Frow book available on my iPhone too not just the iPad. And don't forget the next generation of collectors who will want it on their digital devices.

Slaton wrote:And don't forget the next generation of collectors who will want it on their digital devices.

Yeah, those machines would look very cool in full-size 3D, displayed by my FutureWare Atomic Hyper-Holographic projector.

Interesting irony - a bunch of hobby geeks burning-up the internet, discussing 100+ year-old completely un-plugged talking machines, and e-books about them...


I hope we don't create a dangerous rift in the space-time continuum...

Slaton wrote:I agree that I would never give up my hard copies of any of the books I have. And there is nothing close to the joys of the book fondling experience. Having said that I can carry 100-200 books and have them when I need to look up a fact or show something to someone. So I want George's books on my library shelf, my reading desk AND on my iPad. I am waiting for Bob to make the Frow book available on my iPhone too not just the iPad. And don't forget the next generation of collectors who will want it on their digital devices.

I may just buy an iPad to have easy access to this resource. I have the books, both editions in my library but the convenience of having it digitally available is great. I'll buy it now anyway for our house Mac but I'm mainly a PC guy.

Great great effort though. Fantastic to have such a resource made so much more widely available!