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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Offical History western front


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Posted

After convincing the wife that my interest in the great war isn't a two minute wonder I would appreciate some advice please. To further my knowledge I have been looking to invest in the official histories available from Military and Naval press. The price for the full set is at present £605 in book form and £225 on cd. My initial thoughts are that I would prefer the written form as in something to show for your money, but for the price difference the cd contains the same information and I assume has the advantage of being seachable.

If anyone has either, any regrets about not getting the other?

Duncan

Posted

Hi,

this is a personal thing as well as a financial one. I have the DVD and find it excellent for research eg. using the search facility for the word 'Cameron'. However I do not like doing very much reading using it even on a computer sitting on my lap. I much prefer a 'real' book. For that reason I am still contemplating buying the printed series.However that will take some explaining to the better half!

Len

Posted

I have a few of the printed form and then forked out for the Disc. I am a lover of books but the ease of being able to have all the volumes with me wherever I go, home, France or anywhere else is a great asset. My only gripe is that I would like to copy extracts into my notes (I use Microsoft OneNote to compile my work) for later use but the protection stops this.

Jim

Posted

Jim,

I too was thinking about buying the CD and was wondering can I print maps ,extracts, etc from the CD. Sounding like that I cant do that ! Thanks

Rds

Mick

Posted

Many thanks for your thoughts chaps, the book option although very costly seems to edge it at the moment. One thing about NMP i have noticed is that they seem to have discounted offers usually just after I've bought something. At the price of either it would be annoying to say the least.

Duncan

Posted

The written word everytime unless as is mentioned you wish to transport the CD.

Colin.

Posted

You can print maps, and text on to paper, from the DVD. You can't copy and paste any text, to your hard drive. I suppose it might be possible to scan text (that you have printed off the DVD) with ABBYY FineReader, but I have not tried it.

Mike

Posted

I have made a nice little space on the bookshelf by clearing the wifes collection of books ( the usual rubbish of childhood hardship) . Just have to be a good boy now although knowing her it wont be until christmas before they suddenly appear, best not mention the set from other theatres.... just yet !

Duncan

Posted

I suppose it might be possible to scan text (that you have printed off the DVD) with ABBYY FineReader, but I have not tried it.

Mike

Use Screenshot to create an image of the text. Open ABBYY or similar Optical Character Recognition software and it will convert the image (I would use JPG) to text.

Kevin

  • Admin
Posted

Books for me too.

Michelle

Posted

I have a lot of the printed volumes, reproductions and first editions, which have pride of place in a special bookshelf. You can pick up cheap copies on Abebooks or e-bay, or one or two other specialist retailers if you want the first editions. One problem with the electronic version is incompatibilty with future PC operating systems - as I understand it from forum users.

Posted

" incompatibilty with future PC operating systems "

Hi Rob. I think, should you upgrade system, N & MP will issue new disc (as long as you return old disc.) I think there may be a fee for this though.

Mike

Posted

If my house was burning down after getting the family out it would be my copies of the OH on the Western front (not got the rest yet!) that I would save. I like to have my history in my hand. I have a kindle and read novels from thst to save on space but history needs to be smelt from the turning pages. The disc would be a good research tool and much more transportable but seeing as I use a Notebook not ideal!!

Get the books and shop around.

Regards

Ps I really must get the other theatres one day.

Posted

The written word for me sure they take up space, and cost more but i do not care much reading from the computer for to long.

Posted

Have used both, but only have the paper version now - and would not have it any other way. Much easier to read and understand.

Simon

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