BY TOM TOMASKO
OAKLAND, California - Supporters of the communist movement
are stepping up the pace of the volunteer project to convert
all of Pathfinder's books and pamphlets into digital files.
This effort will make it possible to keep these titles in
print at a lower cost and with a smaller number of socialist
workers in Pathfinder's printshop, using modern computer-to-
plate equipment.
One decision that helps set the pace is the plan adopted by the Pathfinder Reprint Steering Committee to finish scanning the text of all Pathfinder books by Jan. 1, 2000. This plan was also unanimously adopted at a meeting in Detroit on September 26-27 of members of the steering committee, other volunteers who have taken major responsibility for the project, and representatives of the leadership of the Socialist Workers Party.
Pathfinder publishes books and pamphlets that contain more than 150 years of the experiences of the workers movement internationally, which are essential for workers, farmers, and militant youth today who are resisting the attacks of the employers and their governments. A team of 22 volunteers have signed up to scan and "massage" the text of the 350 titles Pathfinder publishes or is responsible for keeping in print.
Scanning is the first step before other volunteers proofread and format the books. For all but the most recent titles that are being produced electronically along these lines, the result of this will be books produced in a more readable, attractive style. All graphics, photos, and book covers are being reproduced digitally by volunteers as well.
The proposal to put all the book and pamphlet text into computer files by the year 2000, ready for further processing, was emailed October 10 to those volunteers who scan the text of the books and then make a manuscript of it for other volunteers to proofread.
"By aiming for and achieving this goal," the letter says, "we can increase productivity and boost the confidence and morale of volunteers and signal that we are much closer to effectively maintaining the arsenal of weapons our class needs in working order.... This goal is realizable if in the year 1999 we can gain pledges totaling 120 hours a week from 22 volunteers who are presently participating in the scanning/massaging.... If we achieve this goal it will mean that we will finish 5150 pages a month or 25 average size books a month."
Anyone wishing to volunteer to scan books and prepare the proofreading manuscript, or to participate in other aspects of the Pathfinder Reprint Project, should contact Ruth Cheney at rcheney3@com-puserve.com. Having a scanner is not necessary for everyone involved in this aspect of the work because some books are already digital, but not yet in a form for further reprint production.