Fiddlers Green

Guys, some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the all new Piper Cub is out now . The bad news is that the updated homepage also points to the possible end of FG .

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Last completed: Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer
Current Build(s): Nothing at the moment
http://chrissmodels.webs.com

kinda leaves a sinkin feelin doesnt it..........what can we do?
this is the s#^ts.....if we lose FG there will be no replacing it...at least not as far as i am concerned

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Laterz
Possm_23
Never say anything you wouldnt think out loud!
Take your time leavin.....but hurry back!!!!
Every tub has to sit on its own bottom!!!!

Let's have a brainstorming session, and see if we can find a way to help.

The basic concern is how to stop the piracy, and increase sales.

And find a way to help Chip out.

So, any and all ideas are good.

1: One idea I have is to put a password on all models that is unique to the customer. You buy the file, and only you can open the pdf. I just don't have a clue how to do it. Plus it won't stop somebody from printing, rescanning and giving it away.

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Official member of the "If We Can't See It With The Unaided Eye, You Didn't Build It".

Recently finished: Moving and getting set up
In progress: Zepellin Staaken (self design)

The only effective solution that comes to mind is a two pronged approach:

1. DRM of the model files, similar to the headache experienced by downloaders of legitimate MP3 music. The drawbacks will be increased difficulty for modelers wishing to do repaints, and possibly a need to switch to another format. I will research DRM for PDF's with some of the electronic wizards I know.

2. An agressive copyright lawyer... not cheap, but loyal forum members can help to keep some costs down by providing all the searching neccesary to identify infringers. I found several just yesterday and was wondering who to contact.

Neither of these changes would be "fun," but if it's that or lose Fiddler's Green, and see Chip's incredible work and dreams ruined, I know where I stand.

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I make stuff.

An addition to my last post... here is one alternative to the DRM option called PDF stamping. The purchasers name is "stamped" onto the PDF. Doesn't keep anyone from stealing by force, but shame might provide some deterent, as well as help identify the culprits. Here is a link with more information:
http://www.e-junkie.com/bb/topic/3335

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I make stuff.

Thiis is not an answer to the overall problem, but how about a fundraiser drive for Chip? It could help him out, at least in the short term, and I for one would gladly "chip" in. I"m a fairly well off individual and in fact would feel guilty if I couldnt give back to Chip for all he has given me. Its not like this is an expensive hobby.

On a related note, has anyone else noticed that the only other decent card model forum (papermodels.com) is down, and has been like that for a week? Argh! My world is crumbling around me!

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now repainting/building CF-104
now designing: He-162(B)

The basic problem with all the security stuff you can add on is that the pirates only need one real copy that is printable, then they will just make a scan of it and post it as a crappy copy.

But that doesnt mean its not good to have DRM style security. I suppose you can see it as a deterrent, like my burglar alarm on my house- if they want to get in they will, but if they see you have an alarm, they are more likely to go to the house down the block that doesnt.

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now repainting/building CF-104
now designing: He-162(B)

As far as the password on models goes, I know that ojimak and paper-replika do this with their models. Granted, their passwords as pretty easy and work for all of their models. However, PModel, puts a very complicated and secure password on their models. I recently bought their Bell X-1 and the password is 15 characters with a combination of letters and numbers. You have to enter it each time you open the file.

I also like the idea of a fund raiser. Hard to do in these times, but if we don't do it, no one will. I wish papermodelers was going right now. We could get something figured out and then advertise it over there. So many people have started building with FG models. Dare I say millions of modelers have built at least one FG model. We have to do something to keep that going.

I like the idea of a fundraiser. In fact, I might even donate a model (i.e: design an exclusive model that would only be available during the fundraiser) that can be given away as an incentive: Donate $5 or $10, and get the model. The trick is what model, and how to arrange the fundraiser (I'm lousy at stuff like that)

Also, I had an idea of some kind of watermarking on models. I dunno if it's possible, but the idea I had was you print the model and it looks fine. But if you scan it back in to a computer, the words "Stolen from Fiddlersgreen.net" or something like that appears all over the page, ruining the model, or even it appears as a blank page.

Combine that with a password or filename that can be tracked and is unique to that specific file, and that might discourage all but the most hardcore pirates.

U.S. Money uses a color that can't be reproduced by electronic methods, and the next closest that the scanner selects is so obvious, you know right away you're looking at a fake.

Not really applicable being as we're starting on an electronic media, but hopefully somebody gets the idea.

_________________
Official member of the "If We Can't See It With The Unaided Eye, You Didn't Build It".

Recently finished: Moving and getting set up
In progress: Zepellin Staaken (self design)

I have a tendency to dream solutions to problems when I'm asleep, so here's what I got last night...

International Year of Introduce a Child to Fiddler's Green

While piracy is certainly a contributing factor to falling profits, I've gotta wonder if a bigger factor isn't simply fewer people modeling. I'm too young to remember, but older guys will tell you that in the bad old days EVERY reasonable sized town had a shop that sold model kits and plans. Now think how far it is to your closest model shop (if you can even find one!) Every child had built at least one model in their life, now a modeling youth is generally labeled a geek (wore MY badge with pride, thank you!) The fault lies with every one of us in the modeling community for failing to properly spread our hobby to younger generations.

If every one of us were to introduce just one child to modeling this year it couldn't help but snag some converts. Even a ten percent success rate if every one of us on the forum did this would help bottom lines. All Chip would need to do is set up a gift package that would give someone a one year models folder, the three free downloads, a credit for a couple of the "big" ones, and three months of magic keys. Then we get to work spreading our hobby. If I could buy that package for a reasonable price, say around $20 - $25, for any kid who showed interest, I'd do it in a heartbeat, and I hope many of you would too.

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I make stuff.

i am not good at this puter stuff, but, i will do what ever is in the plan.....i will start by not allowing Chip to give me perks just because i help out a little every now and then....it aint much but every dollar will count i think.....

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Laterz
Possm_23
Never say anything you wouldnt think out loud!
Take your time leavin.....but hurry back!!!!
Every tub has to sit on its own bottom!!!!

Papermodels.com forum is back up (finaly!).

I just posted there about Chips problem.

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now repainting/building CF-104
now designing: He-162(B)

I've just seen your post there Tim - nice one, thanks .


My thoughts exactly. I can't imagine a world without FG, it's what got me into card modelling in the first place. Unfortunately, unlike others, I'm not in a position to help out financially. I like to think I've done my bit anyway having already bought the entire aircraft collection DVD plus up to date model folder and magic key subscriptions. I like the the suggestion of password protection, although I suspect that would only be a deterrent, as has previously been mentioned. The watermark idea would seem to be a more effective way to combat the problem, but I have no idea how it could be accomplished. I sure hope we can help Chip to beat these pirates .

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Last completed: Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer
Current Build(s): Nothing at the moment
http://chrissmodels.webs.com

On the water mark idea, I saw in my new version of Word that you can put in water marks. I wonder if there's some way to do that on the pages in between the parts. Something big and obvious if you duplicated it. No clue how, but just the idea.

The idea I had for the watermark was something that is invisible when printed, but shows up when scanned back in. It has to cover the actual parts so they can't remove it in photoshop without a lot of work

_________________
Official member of the "If We Can't See It With The Unaided Eye, You Didn't Build It".

Recently finished: Moving and getting set up
In progress: Zepellin Staaken (self design)