History CD

Senusret I · #1 05-11-2002, 08:10 PM

As all the Brothers should probably be aware of by now, Alpha Phi Omega produces a History CD-ROM. The CD has a lot of good information on it, basically everything that would be in a national history book, but with more multimedia, such as recordings of the Toast Song and interviews.

My question: Should the Fraternity once again publish our History in book format?

I think so. Every organization has some sort of bound volume available to its members. Sure, the CD is nice. But I want a book to be able to pull off of my shelf and look at whenever I want to. And let's not forget that we still live in an economically divided society. By only producing a CD-ROM History, the Fraternity forgets that not every college student can afford a computer of their own to view this data.

What are your thoughts?

Dionysus · #2 05-13-2002, 08:44 AM

Is it possible to have both? I love having the interactive CD. Sure, not every student owns a computer, but I'm sure they have access to computers at school.

Senusret I · #3 05-13-2002, 11:38 AM

The last published history book was in 1991, perhaps? They just don't sell it anymore.

It's one of those things you can't get unless you borrow someone else's or if someone passes it down to you. And I haven't been lucky on either count.

Attractive#7 · #4 02-17-2004, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dardenr
The last published history book was in 1991, perhaps? They just don't sell it anymore.

It's one of those things you can't get unless you borrow someone else's or if someone passes it down to you. And I haven't been lucky on either count.

Do you know the name of this book? I would love to get my hands on it. I think having a book is very vital to our history and our existence. If you compare our pledge manual to some of the older pledge manuals some history is left out. If you rely on word of mouth things get lost and distorted. I would love to get my hands on that book. Does anyone know where I could recieve one??? Randy maybe??

33girl · #5 02-17-2004, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dardenr
I think so. Every organization has some sort of bound volume available to its members. Sure, the CD is nice. But I want a book to be able to pull off of my shelf and look at whenever I want to. And let's not forget that we still live in an economically divided society. By only producing a CD-ROM History, the Fraternity forgets that not every college student can afford a computer of their own to view this data.

What are your thoughts?

I completely agree with this whole paragraph.

So many groups are going the CD-ROM route and bagging the printed word and I HATE it. If I want to know how old so and so chapter is, I'm going to go to a book, not turn on the computer, put in the CD-ROM and search for it.

I believe that the average college student's computer use is being misinterpreted in many ways...this is one of them.

emb021 · #6 02-17-2004, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dardenr
The last published history book was in 1991, perhaps? They just don't sell it anymore.

It's one of those things you can't get unless you borrow someone else's or if someone passes it down to you. And I haven't been lucky on either count.

They sold out.

I ordered one of the last ones they had, but it got lost in the mail.

This is one of the reasons why I proposed the creation of a National History & Archive committee so there would be a group to create and maintain an ongoing effort for a History Book. Realize that the CD itself came out in 2000 and has not been corrected/updated. (still available at the National Office).

In todays "print on demand" world, there shouldn't be an isssue with creating a history book that can be printed as needed, rather then commit to purchasing X number of issues and hoping they will sell, and having them take years before they did so.

naraht · #7 02-17-2004, 04:25 PM

I'm using a lousy text based web reader here, so I may not properly answer everyone's questions...
The book is simply called the Alpha Phi Omega History book. Its about the size of a college yearbook.
I don't remember how much it was, but the National Office sold out of them even before the 75th anniversary CD came out.
I use both (or at least did before I misplaced the CD).
I don't think that the Natioanl Office/board would care if anyone photocopied the entire book, but I don't know.
Check with your section and region chair to see if there is one that they can let you look at at a conference or something.
NO you can't have mine.

I'd like to see something like that, but right now the History & Archives committee isn't moveing that fast...

If I haven't covered everything let me know...

YiLFS
Randy

Attractive#7 · #8 02-17-2004, 07:08 PM

Hey Randy...can i borrow yours *lol*

naraht · #9 02-19-2004, 05:30 AM

You can come to my house and look at it there if you want.

Randy

Attractive#7 · #10 02-19-2004, 03:36 PM

lol rockville, md??? whoa that's a lil drive, but i think it might be worth it

naraht · #11 02-19-2004, 11:22 PM

I gotta find out if the National Office still has the proofs for the book...

*head shake*

Randy

SprintPCS 1925 · #12 02-25-2004, 08:52 PM

I want to get a copy of it.

Rain Man · #13 02-27-2004, 02:13 AM

.....trust me, you're not really missing much.

I bought one of the first copies when it came out in 1993 (not 1991), and it is nothing more than a super deluxe pledge manual with a combination of old Torch & Trefoils. There really isn't a whole lot of substantive text based APO history. The first chapter "In the Beginning" was IMHO the best chapter of the book b/c it appeared that FRH took the time to write a descriptive and elaborate history of the founding of the organization. The second chapter contains a summarized and brief history of APO through the decades, with no real depth or substance whatsoever. Towards the back, there is a complete chapter listing through Alpha Delta Epsilon and its status at that time. The following chapter contains a history of chapters that elected to submit its history to the National Office for publication.

In the book's defense, there are a lot of good APO history tidbits, but not enough to satisfy my intellectual appetite. I was looking for a history book more along the lines of "In Search of Sisterhood" or "The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi" as far as the struggles, triumphs, and successes of APO through the years.

So if you are looking for "Alpha Phi Omega History 499", this book is not for you. If you are looking for "Alpha Phi Omega History 102", see if you can get a copy.

But to answer dardenr/Sensuret I's question: Should Nationals come out with another history book? Yes they should, but this time, less fluff and MUCH more substance and depth.

Senusret I · #14 02-27-2004, 07:57 AM

ditto that, rain man.

More "In Search of Sisterhood".....less "high school yearbook."

Attractive#7 · #15 02-27-2004, 05:40 PM

wow that's really interesting. thanks for the info.

question??? so can't we make a resolution and vote on it at nationals?