TECH: Mailing CD's

Subject: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 12:58 PM

I've mailed out a few copies of the 2002 Digital Tradition CD, and I'm wondering if there's a cheaper way to do it.
The CD is cheap - 20 to 30 cents apiece.
I don't mind paying 60 cents for first-class postage in the US - that seems reasonable.
But it really bugs me to pay what they charge for CD mailing envelopes, which seems to be about 75 cents apiece when I can find them at discount. I re-use mailers when I can, but it seems to me it shouldn't cost that much for a CD mailer. Can anybody give me ideas on how to find cheap mailers?
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: MudGuard
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 01:02 PM

How many MBs are on the CD?

In some cases (with fast connections) it might be easier to download, perhaps.

Btw, what database format is used for the Digital Tradition?
And how many MBs are there?

Sorry, can't help with cheap CD mailing envelopes...

Andy/MudGuard

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 01:13 PM

Well, if you were in Harlow I could take you to a shop where you get ten of them for £1 - tough A5 envelopes with some built-in bubble wrap. The CDs always seem to get through undamaged

That's not much help really, since you aren't in Harlow. But I'd be surprised if there aren't equivalent shops in the USA - it's the sort where they sell everything for the same price, £1, and the bargains come and go. But they always seem to have the envelopes.

Otherwise maybe you could get hold of tough envelopes in some discount store, and just stuff some bubble wrap inside.

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: Night Owl
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 01:47 PM

Joe, try www.bagsunlimited.com they might have something you can use......less expensive. Customer Service Dept. is wonderful.....and they ship orders quickly.

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 02:05 PM

I just get either a pre-padded envelope or some of that real thin foam like is packed between china plates. Wrap it around the CD and voila!

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 02:45 PM

Joe,

Do you know if there will be a downloadable version?

Ed

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 02:54 PM

A little better- $0.39 each
cdmailer

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 02:58 PM

Looked further and found some at $0.29. Try Google and see what else comes up under cd mailer.

Subject: Digital Tradition 2002
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 03:28 PM

I don't know if there will be a download of the Digital Tradition or not. The DOS version is 15.6 MB, and the Windows version is almost 20 MB. That's a pretty big drain on the resources of Mudcat, but I imagine Max will try to do something to make it possible.
I'll be glad to send out a number of copies to people with CD burners who are willing to pass copies on to others - just send me a personal message. If I end up sending out more than maybe fifty copies, I may have to beg for mercy.
The database format of the DOS version is the same as it has always been - AskSam. I'm not sure what's the format of the Windows version.
Dick hasn't made a formal US announcement of the Digital Tradition - I imagine he'll do that at the Getaway, and that there will be copies of the database available there (so if you're going to the Getaway, don't ask me to mail you a copy).
I know Bill Sables has a copy of the database, but I also know he can't burn CD's because his computer has some problems I wasn't able to fix. So, I guess UK people may have to wait until Bill gets his computer repaired, or until somebody else from the UK volunteers to distribute copies.
The Windows version is very nice, and it's easy to operate, but it does not search the database as effectively as the DOS version does. I think I'll stick to using a DOS window for the database.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 05:04 PM

Joe- U-Line sells the mailers for 29 cents. I'm distributing copies for five bucks, which covers CD, label, mailer postage and has a buck or so left over to help support the DT (you know, ink and paper etc.)

The new version has about 9000 songs; runs on Windows, Mac or DOS. If anyone wants to redistribute copies, fine--he/she can set his/her own price.

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 05:18 PM

Hi, Dick - so, is this official? Where do people send their five bucks? I didn't want to step on your toes, but you haven't made an official online announcement. Are you ready to start general distribution?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: Barry Finn
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 05:34 PM

My heros. Now I might be able to get my wife to go the getaway. Joe, it's great to know you'll be there this time, alone? Dick, maybe a dollar or 2 (that won't kill anyone who wanted one) more might help to defray just a bit more than the stationary, maybe it'll help mudcat to keep the wolf from the door for at least another month. See you in Oct. Barry

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 06:19 PM

Well, actually, Barry, I hadn't decided about going to the Getaway.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: TECH: Mailing CD's
From: Barry Finn
Date: 14 Sep 02 - 11:29 PM

Aw, Joe. Come on now