multiple volume encyclopedia set

[thanis]

Don't hear many people bring this up, and is one of the items my family considers an important SHTF item to have. For example, at the family acerae, we have two sets, World Book, and a set of Encyclopedia Britannica. There are several years old (think the Britannica is from the 70s and the World Books are from the late 80s). These are are old sets, and does not include those we have closer to home.

We also store a few math books (from the 80s) and a smattering of elementary and college level text books.

Sounds crazy maybe, but if the lights go out (even for a year), you might need something to read to pass the time, and need a way to teach / pass on information to the next generation.

[ApatheticHero]

I've been considering this myself. The nice thing is, books are pretty cheap if you know where to look for them used. Don't forget manuals on all sorts of things like tanning leather, basic electronics and wiring, alternative electricity, basic mechanics, and any other trade you can think of. I've got a few engineering manuals, the complete works of Steinbeck, etc. Sounds like you're on the right track. :hand13:

[peckman28]

That is a pretty interesting idea. Imagine how far knowledge slipped after the Roman Empire collapsed in the west. Much easier to make books now than it was then...

[PointnClick]

Good idea, but these are not easily transported if you gotta move. I thought the internet would kill the post office first, but it was the encyclopedia industry that was gutted first.

I think electricity is here to stay, even if we don't have a "grid"... even with no grid, I can produce enough electricity to run a laptop with the crudest of materials. Here's an excerpt from something I posted almost a year ago...

* * * * * *


Know what I am doing...? For the last few months, I have been thinking about SHTF scenarios and what skills, tools, and knowledge I possess that would help me get by in a Mad Max world, and my Boy Scouts merit badges aren't making the grade. So I have been "downloading civilization"... I have been collecting all sorts of info that would be useful in a temporary Katrina-like event, like water purification and basic first aid, all the way to TEOTWAWKI skills. In fact, when I come across a site that has a lot of good info, I am downloading the entire site and burning all this info to DVDs. I have two of those 100-count DVD spindles almost full with books, how-to movies, PDFs, and even entire websites with info on gardening, medicine, dentistry, military tactics, gunsmithing courses, firearms manuals, reloading info, military survival manuals, preserving food, brewing, wind generator info, complete GM and Ford mechanics instructional courses, sewing, tanning animal hides, computer repair, electronics, plumbing, construction, blacksmithing, science, chemistry, childbirth, veterinary info, the list goes on and on...

What's to stop some post-apocalyptic predator from just killing me and taking my archive...? Well, nothing really, but all the files are zipped and individually password protected. If you kill me, you'll never get in these files. But if you treat me and my family well, I have civilization in my bag... I have beer in my bag... I have AC in my bag... I have biodeisel in my bag... I have the recipe for aspirin and penicillin in my bag... I have instructions on how to do a C-section baby delivery with a K-Bar in my bag...

I doubt I'll ever be the Mayor of Bartertown... but I bet I will be a protected citizen...

[OMEGA2669]

I would rather have books (hard copies) than have a bunch of stuff stored on a computer. As many hard drives as I've had fail I don't trust them for anything more important than game files, and even those I back up. Not to mention if a computer is dropped, or the back light for the screen fails. Books will last centuries longer than your laptop. Not saying having things stored on computer is a bad idea or anything. Just saying that when it comes to longevity, reliability and durability, books have computers beat.

Just get a water proof chest to store your books in that you can easily throw in the back of a 4x4 if you need to get out quick.

Something like this.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eCyHrdEzL._SS400_.jpg

Titan ABS Plastic Toolbox and Portable Storage Chest Fullsize w/ Push Button Latch- 53Lx22Wx19H (http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Toolbox-Portable-Fullsize-53Lx22Wx19H/dp/B00262DEEO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&m=A1DTVAJD060G6V&s=automotive&qid=1267735397&sr=1-4)

[PointnClick]

I disagree... 200 DVD's x 4.7 gb = almost a terrabyte of data, in a package that weighs less than 2 pounds.

Books in a toolbox...? C'mon... what eight books are you going to pick for that toolbox...?

Have you ever tried to pick up the complete 1972 Encyclopedia Brittanica at one time...?

Not saying books are a bad idea, but they don't travel well, and they are subject to moisture, fire, UV, and mold... I have my Dad's Boy Scout Handbook from the 50's, and it is becoming a disintegrating relic... very browned, fragile, and brittle, and it has had a fairly easy life, being indoors and all...

I can hook a bicycle up to an alternator from a 73 Dodge Dart to power a laptop...

[OMEGA2669]

Well you do what you will. I know I'll have at least 3 of my laptops with me if I bug out. But I expect that they will not outlast books.

And eight books? Perhaps you should go over the dimensions again, and remember that it is a weather resistant chest.

It was just an idea in any case, and in a situation I doubt that libraries will be a main target of looters. And I don't have an encyclopedia collection anyway. Was just saying that books are sure to outlast computers. And if you had a cabin up in the mountains or back in the woods it would be a great idea to stock it with such items as books.

[Patti]

Dang, PointnClick. You're waaay ahead of me. I've been printing out a lot of info that might come in handy down the road.

I knew there was something I was missing: DENTISTRY!

I didn't even think about that.

Probably because I hate going to the dentist.

The first book that I'll put in my trick bag is my Bible.

[OMEGA2669]

The first book that I'll put in my trick bag is my Bible.

As will I. I am not religious as you all should know by now. But I have seen what comfort the Bible can give people in stressful times. So I will most definitely have a Bible in my GTFO truck. Along with a box those little pocket Bibles they give out to us troops that I can pass out to people in need of comfort. The good book may not bring comfort to me, but I have seen it help others. I don't think it's out of my way to do something so simple that can help bring comfort in hard times to people in need.

These aren't too expensive.

http://www.ibsdirect.com/images/PRODUCT/medium/16.jpg

NIV Military Digi-Camo Bible (http://www.ibsdirect.com/p-16-niv-military-digi-camo-bible.aspx)

Or the vinyl ones too.

http://www.ibsdirect.com/images/PRODUCT/medium/129.jpg

NIV Army Digi Camo Bible - Vinyl Cover (http://www.ibsdirect.com/p-129-niv-army-digi-camo-bible-vinyl-cover.aspx)

[PointnClick]

Omega sez...


Was just saying that books are sure to outlast computers.

I would agree... but given identical care, DVDs will outlast paper books by centuries.

A lot of the files I have are FLV video files from YouTube... books are good, but sometimes a how-to video really is more educational... Good example- I got a really crappy manual for my first AR... very fine print and written from a technical engineer's perspective, rather than an operator's. I couldn't figger out how to break it down, but a video on YouTube showed me how to disassemble and clean my rifle.

On top of each spindle (working on spindle #3 now) are a few disks with 3 Mac OS's, Win 2K, and Win XP, along with a folder of browsers and utilities like PDF readers, movie players, picture viewers, etc, so I can install anything I need on any computer I can find.

And I have a ton of stuff you won't find in encyclopedias or books. Here's a sample of what's in my "to be burned" folder right now:


* An archive of 46 Canadian military manuals in PDF form

* Barrett M82A1M Armorer's video

* Albright's Chemical Engineering Handbook (1,981 pages)

* "Aids To Survival" Western Australia Police Academy

* USMC Water Survival Course

* Glock Armorer's Manual

* Archive on lockpicking- 8 videos and PDFs

* Archive on robotics- 143 videos and PDFs

* "How To Make An Igloo" PDF


That last one's not real useful in Florida... but by gawd in a nuclear winter, I'm ready...

[ApatheticHero]

It was just an idea in any case, and in a situation I doubt that libraries will be a main target of looters. And I don't have an encyclopedia collection anyway. Was just saying that books are sure to outlast computers. And if you had a cabin up in the mountains or back in the woods it would be a great idea to stock it with such items as books.

My sentiments exactly. Libraries will still be there when you need them. Whether you prefer books or CD's, you won't have to get by with just your own private stash forever.

Though, it does make an interesting argument for holing up in a library in a SHTF situation. First, it's not a primary target, 2nd it's a strong easily defended building, and third when things calm down you'll have control of all the knowledge.

[farronwolf]

I have lots of better things to pack than a bunch of books, or CD's for that matter. Are there some books that I would consider keeping handy, yes, but probably not encyclopedias or math books. Field manuals, food preservation, plant books with info on which ones are edible or useful for medicine would be in the group.

Libraries will remain even in the most catostrophic case of SHTF. Once things settle out you can go there for reference and history. In the initial stages you are going to be focused on feeding and caring for your family and friends. Additionally, keeping a laptop running is going to be way down the list of priorities. You will most likely be so tired from surviving you won't have time for the computer anyway.

[Patti]

I agree with Farronwolf.

Information is good, but when it comes to survival and GFOD, I'm planning on traveling light.

[Bumper]

I think there is a place for both. Personally, I really like books. I have a bunch of them and would hate to leave them behind but probably would have to. The CD idea is a good one. Interestingly, I have been collecting "reference materials" from websites and posting it in my "Administrator's Forum". Not really something that I would ever make public since it came from elsewhere, but a forum is not a bad way to accumulate information before organizing it to burn....

[Patti]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnvdOOHeP9A

[Bumper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnvdOOHeP9A

He says he doesn't care if you copy it or otherwise publish the information so, I bought it. If anyone wants it, I will post the PDFs on the forum.... :yup:

[PointnClick]

Sweet... I was gonna dig thru my stuff and post up what was small enough to put up... just terribly busy on a project right now...

[PointnClick]

You might want to push up your file size limits, Bumper... I got a ton of stuff, but a 1.9 mb limit on PDFs and ZIP file isn't a lot of room...

[Patti]

Bumper, I would be interested in reading his info, if you can post it.

Doesn't it just creep you out that we're scrambling for information on tanning, soap making, etc?

I would have never thought in a million years that we would get to this place.

I feel like I'm living in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

[Bumper]

You might want to push up your file size limits, Bumper... I got a ton of stuff, but a 1.9 mb limit on PDFs and ZIP file isn't a lot of room...

I pushed it up a week or so ago but, yeah, I'll bump it up again to allow these large files to be posted.



Bumper, I would be interested in reading his info, if you can post it.

Doesn't it just creep you out that we're scrambling for information on tanning, soap making, etc?

I would have never thought in a million years that we would get to this place.

I feel like I'm living in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

I'm with you 100%, Patti. I'm driven to prepare....

[OMEGA2669]

Books are much more reliable than CD/DVD's for a very simple reason. You drop a book, oh dear it gets scuffed, brush it off put it back on the shelf. You drop a CD/DVD, it gets scratched or breaks, cry it a river. You sit on a book, you're a little taller. You sit on a CD/DVD, it breaks.

Not saying the CD/DVD will break all the time. Just is likely to.

But as I said I ain't got books n' stuff to take, besides the Bible. And as with Patti I travel light. If your truck breaks down, it doesn't do you any good if you can't take it with you.

[PointnClick]

Pros and cons, Brother Omega, pros and cons... DVD's have a greater resistance to water and flame... one stray spark will destroy a library.

If you have a great location to hunker down, books are awesome... I have tons of books. I'm reminded of how many books I have every time I move. If all the info I have were printed out, I have no idea how big a stack of paper that would be... I have hundreds and hundreds of e-books and PDF's. If I had to venture a guess, it would take a full-sized pickup to carry that many books, and it might take 2 trips to get it all.


And as with Patti I travel light. If your truck breaks down, it doesn't do you any good if you can't take it with you.

That's my point exactly... I CAN take it with me. More than a terrabyte of useful info, and yet my spindles weigh less than or the same as a gallon of water... for now, at least.

Just did a quick Google search, and it appears that the Encyclopedia Brittanica now comes on 1 DVD... I might want to add that to my stack...

[Bumper]

I'm thinking of adding the Mother Earth News Archive Set (https://www.motherearthnews.com/order/order.aspx?promocode=MMEEMA25&utm_content=MMEEMA25_02.18.10_archives&utm_campaign=Merchandise&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email#Item4127) to my collection

[PointnClick]

No doubt that there is a ton of great info there... I remember it from the 70's, but I never looked to see if they went online...

[Bumper]

No doubt that there is a ton of great info there... I remember it from the 70's, but I never looked to see if they went online...

I have subscribed off and on since the 70's. They have softened their politics a bit since they were bought out. They are online with articles and such but I don't believe that the whole magazine is online. I subscribe to Mother Earth News, Backwoods Home, Small Stock Journal, Grit and Hobby Farm, all good magazines.....

[thanis]

Sure, libraries will be around, nut how often are you going to get there. Will they trust you to check out a book.

I'm not suggesting volumes of books for a bug out bag, but in addition to CDs, DVDs, etc, a set of encyclopedias will be more valuable then most have considered in many SHTF situations.

[Patti]

Confucius say,
"If you are in book store and cannot find
book for which you search, you are obviously in the.....

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg86/rewgew/book.jpg

(I coudn't resist)

[Bumper]

Confucius say,
"If you are in book store and cannot find
book for which you search, you are obviously in the.....


:rofl: Funny stuff. I received that email a couple of days ago, Patti. Amazing how widespread an email can become these days.

[UnklFungus]

He says he doesn't care if you copy it or otherwise publish the information so, I bought it. If anyone wants it, I will post the PDFs on the forum.... :yup:

Please let me know where you park it here!

[Bumper]

Please let me know where you park it here!

Thanks for reminding me. I received it, browsed through it and put it on my shelf. There's some good information on the CD but, overall, the CD was underwhelming.....