Message no. 1

From:	Mongoose <evamarie@**********.NET>
Subject:	Damaged soft coveres
Date:	Sun, 27 Sep 1998 03:53:38 -0700

I have a suggestion for an inexpensive and potentially very durable
way of repairing softcover gaming books with bindings that fall apart.
I have several rather thick "books" with what is called a "strip
binding"- this is a process available at Kinko's an most similar places.
This type of binding takes up about 5mm of gutter, as some 1.5 mm holes
are punched (maybe 1 per inch) along the spine, then a plastic strip laid
along each side, held with plastic "rivets". You can also re-enforce the
cover- the binding often includes transparent or heavy plastic covers, or
both.
They are not exceptionally durable (although for thinner books, they
hold up well), but the strips are replaceable if they do finally break
(the rivets can give out). In fact, when mine busted off, I didn't get
new strips- I used some heavy waxed string and tied the thing (tightly) in
a manner very similar to an actual book binding. This has proven EXTEMELY
rugged, and the lack of a ridged spine seems to keep the book safer in
"irregular portage" situations (IE, when somebody sits on it in the car).
I'm sure others could find a method of replacing the strips that suits
them.

Mongoose