Let's write a book!

[petik1]

I've had a problem over my time collecting. There is no, one source for the history of video games. It bothers me. So I have an idea. Why not make one? I've already started, and got to the Atari 2600, but it is pretty small. So I was wondering if anyone would like to contribute . Pictures, snippits of information, or would like to write for a specific item. I think this will work!

[tonev]

I am happy to help if i can help with something

[ericj]

Instead of a book, how about a website? It costs a lot to get a book published, plus you'd be dealing with copyright issues amongst other things if you'd actually want to publish and sell it.

I can help set up a website if it seems worthwhile. It'd be one hell of a huge site if it would cover all systems, though.

[petik1]

Well, a website doesn't have the same "feel" as a book, if you know what I mean. In that case, we might as well just fix up the wikipedia pages. And publishing would be way out of my league. I was thinking of a distributable PDF, or like one of those booklets that have glossy paper and a plastic spiral, like this:

[ericj]

Maybe I don't really understand your concept, but what I think you're talking about would never fit in a spiral bound book. 

I envisioned a resource/database that would be more of a compilation of information already out there, and not a written work created from scratch.

Could you elaborate on your idea?

[petik1]

My idea was for it to be like a reference book. Like an encyclopedia à la  video games. A detailed, organized book with every bit of detail on a console. Specs, list of games, history, prototypes, etc. Now I know to do this with every console is near impossible, but it would be cool to try to do it with one and work from there.

[son_ov_hades]

I've always wanted to write a history of video games, not an encyclopedia which seems to have been covered well.

[petik1]

Well, that's where I haven't figured out my own idea. Encyclopedia style, or chronological history? I've started it as a history.

[nintendodork]

Something this big would definitely not fit in one of those plastic spiraled books.  I also think a website would be better. I don't know if I'm the only one, but I can't stand reading PDFs for long periods of time.

[petik1]

I could always do a website, I'm just saying there are others out there. So, would anyone like to write for any specific thing?
Post Merge: March 29, 2011, 06:56:58 pm
Or perhaps a booklet on one speciifc console at a time...

[petik1]

I don't know exactly where I'm going with this, but I'm doing it. Here's what I'm thinking. Write about one subject, in depth. Have the information organized, clean, and unnessessary details pruned. I've started on the SNES. It's nowhere near finished. Feel free to edit it and email me with it if you want to.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ii8heg9hy11mz6y

[RegalSin]

Well, that is a great idea, right now. However, I myself still have a FAQ project I had on hold for like four years. I still need to get the domain, place to make the website.

A book is great, but the problem is with the input, I will design your book layout too. SInce you would have to have a layout I am Associotively Qualified to design a book. I will also contribute my knowledge that was in my game database ( before it was erased ) and then add some more. Very good idea, since we all know the internet cannot last forever. But a book can be read by a desklamp, or the evil sun.

Right now I am thinking about the page, that says This information is thanks to. With a whole bunch of list of names, nicknames, webpages, and maybe even phone numbers.

[tappybot]

I like the idea of a pdf, something that can be printed upon pages, and contains all the specs, games, accessory details per console.

There are plenty of books about the history of games, but a simple text full of every technical aspect detailing every game and accessory release would be interesting.