To all:

I realized a long time ago that the hardest part about getting
started is getting assistance and getting your questions answered.
As good as our help and FAQ's on the Web page are, a good solution
to work along with those is to have good communication and to know
who to talk to to get information. I think that realization was the
impetus behind making the left-hand map so prominent on the page.

I've also realized in my hunt for the perfect container and the
perfect log book that there are no such things (at least not that
are readily available in the market place). However, I have not
given up on finding a good variety of items (and ways of procuring
those items) that will help to ease the process of getting started.
And if we do decide on some configuration for items as "ideals", I
can always order them custom made. I've found that 144 is the magic
number for ordering custom manufactured goods. If there were about
say, 30 of us, interested in something, we could order 5 each and
get a good price. That's about how it would work until more people
get involved. I'd be willing to mail things out. I bought a scale
for that purpose (to keep postage at a minimum).

In the mean time, I just want to encourage you to keep talking and
discussing ways that you would like me (and each other) to help.
I believe Graham said an ideal container would have a square body
(about 4") and have a screw on lid (for good sealing) and should
be able to contain post cards and some of the extras that people
like to put in there. Deborah found some colored plastic jars
with a "clamp-type" lid. Does this have a steal ring on it
Deborah? Just wondering if it would rust...

The log books I have
looked into can be special ordered to any dimension, however, the
coating may intefere with some water-based inks. Therefore, its
safe to say that a more universal type of paper would be better
for those who want to accomodate every type of ink. A well sealing
container to protect the log book is a good measure too - perhaps
better than water-proof paper.

It has occurred to me that several
container/logbook options would be good and that's where I think we
will end up in the recommendations we make to others as they get
started. But we can help to determine what sizes, etc. are ideal
so we can offer a selection that fits most, if not all, people's
needs. I mean whatever we recommend, we don't want it to be an
odd size that doesn't work or a type of container that does not
seal, etc...

There should probably be a small container for a special purpose:

I've wondered if someone may want to put out a stamp in a very small
container by itself, with no log book. Its a must, I know, for some
people to collect images. But its conceivable to me that someone may
just want to provide images for others to collect and would not
necessarily be concerned about collecting images. If a person is
in a contest to collect images, of course a log book is a must for
them. But the other way to collect them (if our neigbors ever get
started) is to go out and hunt for them. Anyway, a small container
is all that would be needed if you only put out a stamp.

Keep talking everyone. So far, for me, the most interesting concept
has been the letterbook. There is one for sure by Tom Cooch in
Vermont at http://www.pclink.com/elf/randolph.htm#kimball
The only idea that was more or less panned that I can remember
was the cyberbox. The cyberbox would have had no stamp, just a code
which you could use to get the stamp image. But I'm sure there are
more ideas that have not been explored yet that could make the
hobby more interesting and that may help to compensate for our
unusually large neigborhood. So don't be afraid to share your
ideas. I'll bet most of the best ones are still out there.

Dan

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