I've been interested in the perspectives presented on the
"correctness" of suggesting that a questioner "buy the book" when
it directly answers the request.  I suppose I have the right to answer,
since I am both a distributor of Kevin McElhone's "The Organette Book"
and author/self publisher of the "Roller Organs ..." book.

The specific original request was for "pictures or more info".
I doubt that MMD is the best route to exchange pictures (better
handled via email or postal envelope), so I'll limit my discussion to
a possible exchange of information via MMD.

In defense of Kevin's response, I might point out that he did spend
great effort and expense compiling organette information into an
excellent book.  The information was published through MBSGB, and
everyone expects to recoup their expenses and perhaps gain enough
to support the _next_ project.  It simply does not make sense to
"reproduce" the material in a public forum.

Some may suggest that a better response would have been to give basic
information, but the questioner already has that -- they provided
advertiser, distributor, manufacturing dates, and a basic description.
So it appears to me that a resolution would require detailed research,
and research costs money.  And it's been done by Kevin.

On the other hand, when someone asks me about Roller Organs, I try to
strike up a conversation in order to exchange information.  One reason
is that I'm still _collecting_ information, and they may provide
something I don't already know.  A second reason is that I purposely
self-published my book in order to keep costs low, and this means that
sharing information is less "costly" if their interest goes no further.
So my efforts are still no more than a "hobby" to me.

But in general, I try to figure out "why" someone asks a question.
Is it only a casual question ("How much is it worth?") which can be
simply answered, or are they a fellow collector or enthusiast ("Have
you seen this?") who might be encouraged by further information, or is
it someone who has no personal interest ("The family estate has a
...?") to whom the book would be useless but an answer very helpful?

The problem with this approach is misunderstanding "intentions", and it
only works in a private conversation.  The advantage is individuals can
be greatly assisted -- I once even reproduced a chapter of my book to
give in an appropriate situation.  And of course, all the "basic"
information is already on my web site.

Perhaps it's the public forum that causes problems.  In order to
adequately respond to the original question, I'd have had to look it
up in Kevin's book, and quote it -- is that fair to Kevin and MBSGB?
How far does one go in reproducing/quoting copyrighted materials in
a public forum?

Todd Augsburger - Roller Organ
http://www.rollerorgans.com/