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Hello everyone,
Welcome to the third issue of this newsletter.
For those of you who have missed the earlier issues,
you may view them at: http://f.50megs.com/newsletter.html
For those of you with musical interests,
I am passing on to you
IBM's recommendation to examine a new site devoted to
the restoration of Bach's original manuscripts.
Examples of instruments and audio clips may also be found there.
http://bachdigital.org/
For more Bach try:
http://www.bach-leipzig.de
(home page of the Bach-Archive Leipzig.)
(As a classic guitarist and luthier) I am just blown away by
both Bach's compositions and Hoffman's lutes which he played upon.
I promised to write something about inventing in this issue.
Perhaps relating some of my experiences wild help you inventors.
I have produced several things on a shoestring budget,
over the objections of my friends, colleagues and relatives,
("can't be done" they would all say.) To these folks I would listen,
and feel obligated to argue ("yes I CAN make this" I would say.)
You will do well to listen to their objections, not to argue with them,
but, OVERCOME the obsticales they point out.
My High School Art instructor advised me not to eat,
nor sleep, nor be otherwise distracted from completing works.
Most projects have taken me a year to develop,
and another year to market.
I have found that a patent is often reason to
delay production, as folks are fearful of being copied.
A patent will not stop this kind of intellectual property theft however, and, may even be obtained after you begin production.
Check with the patent office (in the United States, the URL is: http://www.uspto.gov/ ), to find out just what the rules are.
Patent law is the ONLY specialized branch of law.
It is possible for someone else to pay for a patent,
but only the INVENTOR may be granted a patent for a device.
A patent may be 'assigned' to anyone,
and often is paid for and assigned to the distributor.
Check with your potential major customers
to see if they might be willing
to do something like this for you.
In the end, you should not let anything stand in your way!
It is better to manufacture an unpatented gizmo than
to let lack of a patent halt you in your tracks.
For the broke among you,
look to family and friends for needed financing.
Banks are reluctant to loan unless they see a sure return of their money.
Sacrifice will be necessary. Those close and dependent upon you
may suffer along with you. Involve them! Misery loves company.
About you invention itself, make it RIGHT. You will not be able to convince any one with just an idea. You must show your product in
a final form before you can get orders.
Be aware of the manufacturing processes involved,
and their related costs. Do not try to produce a dozen differing
versions of your product at once, unless this is THE major advantage
you have over your competition.
I could write endlessly on this subject, (there is so much to
communicate.) I pause here to let you reply with questions.
I promise to answer everyone who writes.
I close this newsletter with a way to trace internet routes!
I use the free version of this program (a lot) and it has helped
to solve problems and satisfy my curiosity. I refer to NeoTrace:
http://www.neoworx.com/default.asp?SID=0494445619
Sincerely,
Frank
p.s. I REALLY do not want to be 'spamming' any of you.
This 'address list' is quite small,
and many of you are my close friends,
but for those of you who do not know me,
let me know your interests and challenges,
and maybe we can find some mutual ground here.
And again, if you want off this list, write.
(Put "unsubscribe" in the subject if you can.)
If you have something to say, write.
fjdavies@yahoo.
