March 10, 2004
Local Production of Microfilm Content
Many promising "appropriate" technologies have failed because the design limited the user's ability to adapt the tool to their particular needs. Among the various user issues identified during the 2003 West Africa field test of the beta projector, local production of microfilm content rated among the most serious. Without the ability to more easily create their own microfilm content for the projector, users were unlikely to adopt the design.
After some internet research, it appears that we have found our interim soluition: Kodak's Desktop 3 Microfilmer, which prints 16mm microfilm spools from paper documents 2.25 to 9.00 inches (5.7 to 22.2 cm) wide by 2.5 to 11.7 inches (6.4 to 29.7 cm) long. At roughly US$800, this is an expensive printer. We're continuing to investigate other options for local production of content.
Posted by Timothy Prestero at March 10, 2004 01:54 PMA couple of points:
1) Has anyone approached Kodak regarding donation of the required number of machines for a pilot application (including the Kodak supplies needed to make the system work)?
I had remarkable success talking to Kodak many years ago, when I was in college. I had a friend who was a calligrapher. He was always talking about how old materials were better than new. I asked Kodak about suitable materials for calligraphic applications -- they sent back a very long list of materials and techniques for 'cutting-edge' calligraphy. Fade-proof reds, gold-leaf systems that were tolerant of abrasion, "vellums" that were dimensionally stable and erasable, etc. This had to have been the work of a number of people for some time. No charge.
I also suspect Kodak has outreach programs, charitable giving allowances, etc. Even if you had to buy the machines wholesale, money derived from Kodak could be used for Kodak products...
2) As above, for just the parts of the machines needed to incorporate into a custom (or SIB) system. Think about what you actually need, or want, the content-production system to make.
I would definitely want the system to contain a black-and-white LCD panel at page size, so that computer material such as PDFs could be easily interrecorded with fixed-page or overhead-scanned materials. (Color would be nice, but it may cost more and have stability issues in many climates)
3) As more and more banks and other industries go to document scanning and image management, there has to be a large, and growing, surplus of microforms equipment. I cannot imagine a bank that would reject a charitable deduction in return for donation of a machine they no longer need. There might be very capable and powerful systems available for essentially no capital expense, and the industries providing them may also be able to provide documentation, parts, and the advice of skilled employees with years of experience.
RME
Posted by: R.M.Ellsworth at March 6, 2004 07:02 PMFor a potential alternative, check here:
Kodak's Micrographics Services
Go to one or more of these providers -- find out what equipment they use, how cheaply they could produce 'jobs' on demand, and whether they'd consider 'pro bono' jobs (especially if some of the materials/media costs were subsidized or otherwise provided)...
Posted by: R.M.Ellsworth at March 6, 2004 07:07 PMFollowing R.M. Ellsworth's suggestion, I dug up the following additional Kodak resource for microfilm printing. Kodak's Business Associate Locator Form identifies local (ie US-based) companies that, among other things, produce 16mm microfilm and sell various Kodak microfilm products. From these leads, we'll be able to learn a lot about the microfilming process.
Posted by: Timothy Prestero at March 7, 2004 11:38 PM
