I think it was reading the "Human Waste" thread a little earlier that led me to this particular idea. Maybe it was "Addicted." Well, it's not really particular at this point, it's still kind of nebulous. I'm counting on you good people to refine it.

There's a hell of a lot of good practical information on this forum. Only problem is that it's also mixed in with lots of other stuff. While that other stuff is the kind of stuff that communities are made of, going back through earlier threads looking for the practical stuff can be difficult and daunting. (especially for new folks)

So here's what I'd like to propose: Some of us volunteer (my hand is raised) to edit the practical information from the forum into some more digestible form. Maybe then it can be posted to it's own page and listed in Ed's index over there on the right<<<. I don't know, something along those lines. I feel that if nothing else, it would help ME to sift through and find the golden nuggets of practicality on this forum. I've been spending a lot of time in the theoretical realm, this might bring me (and others, I don't want to do this alone) more into the practical realm.

Ideas? Feedback? Volunteers?

(Ed, I suppose you'd have to let us know of any legalities, etc, that you'd be concerned about)

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), October 14, 1998

Answers

Great idea..

If the material is set up like a community cookbook with attributions then you are likely to get support from all the folks who contribute.

..sort of like the Whole Earth Catalogue I remember from the 70s.. but in electronic form..

Be happy to help in whatever way is appropriate..

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), October 14, 1998.

I'd be happy to help too. Only problem, I'm sure EVERYONE feels what they post here is "practical" so how do we reach a consensus on what to include that is not covered already in the categorization of the threads below?

-- Melissa (financed@forbin.com), October 14, 1998.

I will decide, with no appeals. You folks do the work of gathering it all together and I, with Solomon like wisdom, will cast out the refuse. ;)

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 14, 1998.

Uncle Deedah, I think you have aspirations to be the president of our NEW AMERICA... of course, that's after the fall and all...

ps... excellent idea. maybe we should consider actually publishing a 'y2k cookbook" and let Ed be the ed... and we can do book tours and the talkshow circut too!!! we can use this to create awareness and true community involvement. After all, we are a community already, right?

________________________________________________________________

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), October 14, 1998.

- thinking about this on the way home, then read the thread -

The outline's already in place.It's the "Older Messages (by category)" section. Probably could pare it down to:

Alternative Energy Awareness Finance/Jobs Food and water Legal PC/Home Computers Survivalist Issues Utilities

or some such. Many of the other categories are kinda things outside of any individual's power, though we would still have to go through them and recategoize some messages. One or two people (it 'd be more fun to work in teams) could go through each message in each category and eliminate some of the redundancies, irrelevancies and extraneous matter. We would want to keep the names of the cast of characters and dates attached as well as the general "flavor" of the postings. There's a lot of rich material here. It's basically a cut and paste job. It would then become some other document. The teams would (if they chose to) update every so often. Uncle D. can snap the whip.

______________________________________________________________ Here's how it works. I just went into the food category, and pulled this stuff:

EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY There are a number of sites that offer freeze dried and bulk food. Some are more and some are less. This led me to research the situation. I ended up buying a years supply of food for only $1300.

Who wants to open a can of freeze dried and have it be rotten or taste like chalk? . I also went to our Price-Costco and bought personal supplies, soap toothpaste etc. Can you picture going to the grocery store during times of unrest? FORGET IT!!! Now is the time to organize.

greg wiatt February 14, 1998.

One family in our group has ordered a year's supply of food for each member from Walton's (http://waltonfeed.com/self/). We've taken a different approach.

Given that no one really knows what's going to happen as we approach, then pass 1/1/00, it seems best to plan for the worst while leaving as much flexibility as possible in case the best happens (no change). Therefore, we've cataloged a one-year inventory of everything we buy (food, clothing, medicine, hygiene, etc). We also know what we spend because our budget/expenses are tracked to the penny on a spreadsheet. Part of our Y2K Contingency budget is for stockpiling. By 1/1/99, we will have purchased a one-year supply of everything we'd normally buy (except for canned meats/vegetables instead of fresh).

J. Scott Curran on February 14, 1998.

Going strictly with freeze dried food can leave you with a lot of things you'd rather *not* eat. I know because I've already gone that route.

Alan K. Gideon on February 17, 1998.

The Last of the Kidney Beans I was over at my neighbors a couple weeks ago. They'd invited me up for chili. While we were eating, June said, "Well. I'm finally getting down to the last of the kidney beans."

As a picture of one of those near empty plastic bags of beans we get in the grocery store floated up in my mind and I spooned some more chili, she chuckled, looked at her husband, Bud, and said, "Now, that was one of the best deals we ever got..."

Bill on February 19, 1998.

The best and cheepest supply of food that contains all of the vitamins and more importantly minerals that you will need can be found in giant bags of dried dog food. There are many varieties for flavor and you will get used to it after you starve for a couple of days.... Keeps your coat shiney too! (just a little humor but the advice is still good)

Jessee Murphy on April 22, 1998.

I forgot to mention Kool Aid, usually less than a dime a pack and don't forget the sugar! Kool Aid and Gravy Train... That's the ticket! (just think about the worst) and Kool Aid and Kibble starts to look pretty good!

Jessee Murphy on April 22, 1998.

______________________________________________ That took about 10 minutes.

Try it. It's fun!...

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), October 14, 1998.