Brian - Consider making this book an ebook. It can be published and hosted in a central location on the net. No printing or postage expense (see below). As an ebook, it can be easily updated without reprinting anything. It can be a work in progress, and still be out there helping. Users can read it on the computer, or they can print it out. Forms, journal pages, calorie counters, med sheets and more could be printed from the ebook as could any section. (We could probably get the office supply outfits to print the thing as people requested it.)

Then the Foundation could print an OVERVIEW of the material - the outline - the quick read - and refer the reader to the ebook for details. We could all distribute the overview - the way we distribute the cards and brochures about this site.

When I was brand new at this - I needed an overview - a big picture snapshot of where I was headed. I had no clue. Our printed overview could serve that 'big picture' purpose. As I headed further into the tunnel I needed details about different things - at different times. If I had been handed a manual with ALL the details at once, I probably wouldn't have read it. But if I had had a way to just get my questions answered, without having to deal with the entire magnitude of this disease.....

We could build our ebook like a pyramid. The apex is the overview - the broad strokes, the big picture - not much detail. Under that overview, by headings, could be a layer of slightly more detail on branching topics. Below that, more branches with more detail. Then I can read "deeper" until I get my question answered to my satisfaction. Next time I think about that topic, I may want MORE detail - so I read deeper.

We want to help people make good decisions, and be and feel supported. There are way too many variables in those tasks for one printed manual to do the whole job. It needs a more dynamic structure than just a book. An ebook provides that. A web site would be even better. Maybe the Foundation should consider this idea. It avoids big printing and distribution costs. It avoids the problem of 1st edtion, 2nd edition, etc. The net is the distribution mechanism - all we would have to do is make folks aware of it.

Just brainstorming. Any thoughts?? Be strong. Tom