Digital BW, The Print

Nigel, Jason & Shilesh --

Thanks for the input. I have a few specific questions for you:

1. What is the availability of Fedex in Europe? I am thinking of 
making it a "fedex" only since I have such easy access to fedex 
(airborne would be a compromise alternative). Is the cost fair? It 
looked to me that Fedex to Shilesh was about double the cost of 
postage, but 1/10th the hassle.
2. I am intending to require a return prepaid fedex sticker. I did 
this on my prints to you, Shilesh, and I found that to make that 
happen one either had to put his/her credit card info on the address 
label or open a fedex account (took 2 minutes and costs nothing, 
allows you to print shipping labels on the internet for a 10% 
discount and then drop in any fedex box).
3. I'm thinking letter/A4 prints...has anyone decided there is or 
isn't a simple box that holds each? Jason, you mentioned the fedex 
boxes, can you confirm they hold either/both sizes nicely? Do you 
happen to know the box description (to avoid any confusion)?

Thanks,

tom



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Nij" <nigel@m...> wrote:
> Hi Tom,
> 
> Print exchanges are great - but I'd wait for the dust to settle on 
this one
> before you start up another! Exchanges are GREAT things to take 
part in -
> but I sometimes wonder if there can be too many ;)  Perhaps I am 
just
> frustrated that I can't take part in them all?
> 
> Anyway, in the Files seciton of this group is an email 
recommendation from
> Jason DeFontes who coordinated three parallel exchanges and lived 
to tell
> the tale... just. Frankly, he must have had a nightmare. Please 
hunt down
> that file and read-up. It will make the participant's and 
coordinator's life
> A LOT easier.
> 
> It might sound harsh, but I would recommend being EXTREMELY tight 
on the
> rules of the exchange - key factors are print / paper size, 
packaging,
> return postage, etc etc. Only one person has to send prints in that 
are too
> large for Everyone else's packaging to be screwed - unless you kick 
them out
> ;) I think you do need to allow a little more coordination time for
> international participants, but I would have thought that same-
nationality
> participants would have no problem providing an self-addressed 
return
> envelope with stamps on already, for example. I dunno - it IS 
unrealistic to
> have to put 'no effort' in as coordinator, but you will already 
have enough
> to do in getting round to arrangements, setting the participant 
list,
> confirming all details to all participant, reminder and chasing 
emails blah
> blah blah!!!
> 
> I have no real 'complaints' about the exchange I coordinated (and 
it was
> tiny comapred to the ones some have done!) but I would say that 
decent
> packaging both protective yet conveniently set up for return trip 
is the
> ideal to look for.
> 
> I would suggest that the next exchange takes a very specific form - 
you
> could be extremely arbitrary if you wanted and say 'cool tone MIS 
VM prints
> only on 13*19' for example. I only say this because I think it is 
nice to
> encourage either extreme expertise (i.e. people who do that sort of 
thing
> already participate) and 'learning' (get people to try something 
they do NOT
> normally do) to come together.
> 
> Mike Kravit's is currently running a Piezo Pro24 16*20 exchange for 
21
> people - it would be interesting to hear his views on this whole 
thing once
> he's done - I seriously would not have enough room in my whole flat 
to lay
> 21 20*16 boxes on the floor!!!
> 
> Hope these thoughts give you some ideas,
> 
> Nij
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: tomoc [mailto:tomoc@y...]
> > Sent: 04 January 2002 21:39
> > To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y...
> > Subject: [Digital BW] Re: 13x19 print exchange
> >
> >
> > Nigel and other exchangers...
> >
> > Call me a sap... Here I am just mailing out my first prints for an
> > exchange, so what do I know??? But I'm totally energized by the
> > concept... Combines technology, photograph and the best of the
> > internet community fellowship...
> >
> > I know I'll wish I didn't, but if you all can give me some advice 
(as
> > you will anyway) about how to run a good exchange, I'll raise my 
hand
> > and coordinate one.
> >
> > A few thoughts... should we go for some kind of theme? Or just 
let it
> > fall where it may? What size is optimum? The 19x13 is a bit of a
> > problem... Takes forever to print and sorting would be a nightmare
> > for much over 12 participants... BTW, what is the consensus on 
ideal
> > size for the group?
> >
> > Ok... I'm in... Give me some feedback and I'll post an invitation
> > over the weekend... Call me crazy <g>
> >
> > Tom O'Connell
> >
> >
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Nij" <nigel@m...> 
wrote:
> > > Hi Chris,
> > >
> > > Anyone who sends in prints in nice sleeves which are bonded on
> > three sides
> > > will buckle when rolling. I recently took part in a 16*20 print
> > exchange -
> > > and I'd recommend the Light Impressions transit cases - anyone 
in
> > the UK
> > > will pay the earth to get them over... IMHO, anyone in the 
States
> > has no
> > > excuse!