My personal BSDME.

[ClayJar]

Dude, don't supply Susan with too much info or one day you may see your "Divemaster version" up for sale and you will be out.

Nothing would make me happier.

I've contributed code to software projects. I've driven hundreds of miles to volunteer for litter cleanups. I've run sound for churches for well over a decade. I've spent considerable money, time, and effort to become a NAUI Divemaster so I can help newer divers. Spending a couple weeks' worth of evenings to make a diving resource that much better? At the drop of a hat.

I certainly would not work my day job for free (it pays for everything else), but after that, as long as it doesn't cost me *too* much financially, I can think of nothing I enjoy more than helping people (even if they'll make a little money off it). (Of course, if I were designing graphics for Harry Potter, for *that* I would require payment.)

 

[Dive Junky]

Nothing would make me happier.

I've contributed code to software projects. I've driven hundreds of miles to volunteer for litter cleanups. I've run sound for churches for well over a decade. I've spent considerable money, time, and effort to become a NAUI Divemaster so I can help newer divers. Spending a couple week's worth of evenings to make a diving resource that much better? At the drop of a hat.

I certainly would not work my day job for free (it pays for everything else), but after that, as long as it doesn't cost me *too* much financially, I can think of nothing I enjoy more than helping people (even if they'll make a little money off it). (Of course, if I were designing graphics for Harry Potter, for *that* I would require payment.)

"For the Love of Diving", great attitude. Would'nt expect anything less from a fellow NAUI professional. Kudos. Love your eagerness. Don't let it die. It is appreciated.

 

[mrwa]

It may be a little off topic, but I just used BSDME in Bonaire last week for my first trip there. I found the book to be very useful, but I would be willing to pay significantly more for some additional things. For example, I had to get a map of the dive sites before heading out because it was not included (it was free though at the dive shop). It just would have been nice to have it in the book, as there is already a map of the far southern sites included. I would have injoyed pictures of the entries and also pictures of landmarks/parking areas that could help me identify some of the unmarked sites. I may be in the minority, but I think that some pictures would be more helpful than the nifty symbols (though I wouldn't mind them either). Just some deep thoughts of mine I felt like sharing.

 

[undercbon]

Thank you for all the input. BSDME is an ongoing work of progress. Bonaire is constantly changing and the guide with it. Many people have suggested ideas to me, some of which will show up in future editions such as a map. Until now the BNMP map which is given out at dive orientation was a good companion to the guide as it provided the guidelines for the park and information on the island overall.

This was never meant to be a major commercial endeavor but started as a labor of love by a friend of mine. She gave it to me when she left the island with all rights to the material. Should I leave Bonaire I will do the same and pass along the copyright. Hopefully it will continue as a local guide and the tool it was intended.

As stated above, I have put major time and effort into BSDME as it stands today. I am not comfortable with the idea that BSDME or an altered version could be handed around publicly. It never occurred to me that anyone would think to reproduce anything more than a few passages.

As well intentioned as ClayJar may be, the fact that this was put on a public forum without contacting me first makes me uncomfortable as well. He has now contacted me privately and I will respond in kind.

Again,
BSDME is a work in progress and the next edition will be an improvement as the last one was over the 4th edition. I will continue to appreciate and consider the input of others in making future editions as successful as this one.

 

[ClayJar]

As well intentioned as ClayJar may be, the fact that this was put on a public forum without contacting me first makes me uncomfortable as well.

I posted about artwork *I* designed and the fun I was having with my *personal* copy of BSDME. I have apologized for *apparently* not being clear enough about the fact, although I'm beginning to wonder if even Vegas-style flashing neon would have been sufficient.

I *did* title the thread "My personal BSDME." I said it was "my copy of BSDME (5th Edition)" and even linked that to the site so anyone who found the thread would know where to buy a copy. I said about the icons: "I can share those, at least, as they're completely my own work." (which certainly implies that I would not share someone else's work). Also, I noted that I'd like to show off the results (my personal layout and decoration), but that I will have to use dummy text if I make a copy to show off the design, thereby preventing anyone from using my showing off of my personally-created layout as a way to get a copy of BSDME.

A design example book of "To leg baconated several cruft mango truck..." random text showing off a layout would be utterly worthless except for showing the layout, so I did not consider *that* would be an issue. My newer idea (about which the email is), on the other hand, might not be worthless. So, although there is no question that no copyright infringement exists, I considered it only right to contact you about it before even mentioning it online. I even put a username and password on the link so that you would be assured that I was not sharing even the concept with anyone without talking to you first.

Unfortunately for the both of us, Cynde decided to take it upon herself to use the login I'd sent to you and then to post about it publicly, giving me no choice but to comment to the extent required to respond to her post. You will note, however, that even in responding to her, I have not posted about any details of the idea mentioned in the email to you. Please take that as sufficient to show that except for the fun I'm having with my *personal* copy of BSDME, I am demonstrably *not* posting in a public forum without contacting you first.

I do not know what else I could do to help you feel less uncomfortable. Perhaps even this post will compound your discomfort (although I certainly hope that not to be the case), but I cannot help but try to get this apparent misunderstanding worked through. (Yeah, it's the engineering degree. We can't help but try to fix things and explain them, even in the face of repeated failure. It's a character fault, perhaps. )

 

[Dive Junky]

You were perfectly clear of your most innocent intentions. You had an idea and were excited to share it with others. It is obvious there is no intent to share anything with anyone other than the idea. Coming off your DM course you no doubt had ideas you wanted to share and ways you could improve yourself and others in the same position as Divemasters.

You have done nothing wrong or even in the least bit questionable. Your responses to the questions brought upon your character have been dealt with in a completely professional manner.
Don't let anyone damper your spirit and love for diving.

In fact the only thing you have done is draw attention to the D@%$ book.

 

[ClayJar]

(I'll have to upload a PDF of the final product to show off when I'm done. I'll just have to replace all the actual BSDME text with gibberish, but you'll be able to see the layouts and accouterments. )

Well, I said I had to, so I guess it's about time, eh? They say art is never finished, only abandoned, and I'm not sure I've even made it to my final version, but this is "good enough" to show the gist of my personal decorated copy of the book.

NOTE TO SUSAN PORTER, ET AL: THIS IS MY PERSONAL, FOR MY PERSONAL USE ONLY, NOT DISTRIBUTED, NOT FOR ANYBODY ELSE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD (OR ANY OTHER PLANET) COPY OF BSDME, WHICH YOUR RECORDS WILL SHOW THAT I DID INDEED PURCHASE.

(Just figured I'd mention that in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, I won't be accused of being a lying, thieving, good-for-nothing excuse for a consumer. Since the promised response never arrived, it only seems reasonable to at least *attempt* to avoid a repeat of all the junk from earlier.)

*Anyway*, so here are four selected pages from my (personal! *sigh*) copy (as in "instance", not as in "bootleg-for-a-buck-in-Hong-Kong") of the book. Although the original paragraphs have been replaced with my own personal randomized blathering, you can see the artwork and layout. It is made to be printed (*ONCE* only!) on US-Letter pages, with each page folded in half and laminated (putting the map and coordinates on one side, with the site information on the other).

The coordinates (which are facts, not creative works, and therefore not subject to copyright) were pulled from various places online, but even with multiple sources, I was unable to find coordinates for every site. (Coordinates would be really useful in the real -- *YIPE!* Sorry, I almost suggested something! I've *got* to be more careful! ) I included all the coordinates I could come up with, at least. The map was drawn by yours truly, as were all the icons, which are placed based on published maps, coordinate sets, and descriptions (such as directions, if such can be followed on Google Earth). Their placement is approximate, but each should be close enough to the general vicinity of the site to give a reasonable idea as to which sites are where.

Well, just figured I should show off my handiwork. Also, even though I'm being more than a bit tongue-in-cheek over the whole being attacked thing, I do not harbor any ill will to Susan or even to her misguided friend(s). If any of my ideas or artwork pique interest, I can certainly be accommodating, although I would suggest a bit more communicating and a bit less visceral attacking. (If you want to see the finished product (meaning "result", not "item for sale"... sheesh), you can find me quite soon in Bonaire.)

Hmm... just in case this is *still* taken as an attack on the livelihood of BSDME, everyone should go buy a copy of BSDME, which is available online for purchase (US or international). Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! *That* should take care of that... or so one would hope. :tongue2:

 

[DiveMaven]

Looks really good ClayJar. Glad you were able to make something that you would find valuable to use on Bonaire. Let us know how it works in reality once you return from Bonaire. Have a GREAT time!

Personally, I just put notes in the margins (and everywhere else in the book), but that's what works for me.

 

[ClayJar]

Personally, I just put notes in the margins (and everywhere else in the book), but that's what works for me.

Hehe, on the one hand, I have my creative streak, which makes me crave working up artwork and a layout design and all that. On the other hand, I have my obsessive-compulsive bent, which makes me shudder at the thought of getting my pristine, immaculate BSDME "ruined" by getting the pages wet -- or even somewhat damp -- it'd change the texture, I tell you! (I can't just laminate my BSDME, as that would damage the binding and ruin the beautiful cover!) Making a much more visual layout *and* being able to laminate it and all that... a more seductive siren's call quite rarely have I heard. :biggrin:

You should hear some of the other projects I've done, not the least of which is my chip cookie recipe (which I have extensively customized... and which, naturally, lists the ingredients in *grams* for precision). They're really great cookies, I'm told.

 

[DiveMaven]

A bit OCD are we??