Comments on: Seeking Your Input on MSCD’s Binding

By: AdamsDrafting » Blog Archive » Wire-O Is Back!

AdamsDrafting » Blog Archive » Wire-O Is Back! — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:48:59 +0000

[...] Wire-O binding, but we’ve also fixed the first printing’s binding problems. Based on my entirely unscientific survey, I suspect that most of you would approve of this [...]

By: Zak Greant

Zak Greant — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:17:23 +0000

Martin had already remarked on how a perfect binding seemed an odd choice for a drafting guide.

Another alternative to the Wire-O binding is the RepKover system that O’Reilly uses. It looks like a perfect binding, but works like an imperfect Wire-O binding. :)

Details at http://oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly/ask_tim/2004/repkover_0304.html

By: Tom Oswald

Tom Oswald — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:54:49 +0000

I just bought a copy of the book, which came with the perfect binding. It appears to be a better binding than one typically sees on paper back books, so I expect good life from it. Time will tell.

My preference is the Wire-O binding for reference books.

Regards,
Tom

By: Andrew Wilson

Andrew Wilson — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:29:30 +0000

Why not forgo the binding all together and publish in Amazon Kindle format? Everybody can save on all the printing, shipping and handling costs; the potential for shipping damage is eliminated; the cost to the buyer is usually less; and most important, the manual can be donloaded to any kindle nearly anywhere in the world in under a minute. If you’re in the office you can buy it now and start using it when you get back from your coffee break. If you’re on the road, you can buy it while standing in the security line at the airport and read it after you pass through the metal detectors.

Just a thought…

By: Ray Ward

Ray Ward — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:56:59 +0000

Definitely the Wire-O. This is not a book to be perused while reclining in the Barcalounger with a snifter of brandy. This is a book to be used while working. This requires that the book lie open flat on the desk, so you can read it while both your hands are on the keyboard.

By: Jim Brashear

Jim Brashear — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:56:31 +0000

I purchased two copies of the 2nd Ed. I think the large Wire-O rings work well, but the cover should be more durable. I prefer rings (or something similar) to the glued “perfect” paperback binding.

By: M. Ali

M. Ali — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:22:19 +0000

Ken:

I vote for the Wire-O binding as I often leave the 2nd Ed open to the most recently used section.

Another type of binding similar to the Wire-O but perhaps better is a Wire-O with-flap. The flap is a fold-out extension of the back cover which can be folded over the internal pages and slipped behind the front cover so as to protect the pages themselves.

To my knowledge, the closest item to the Wire-O-with-flap is The 8th Ed. of The Gregg Reference Manual (William A. Sabin author) which is a spiral-with-flap but with an exposed spine.

By the way, my 2nd Ed of the MSCD (which was pre-ordered) also arrived partially damaged.

Kind regards,

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:36:58 +0000

Probably helpful to link to an image of the semi-concealed Wire-O binding: http://eckhartandco.com/images/0311-BB.gif

By: Neil T

Neil T — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:13:39 +0000

Yes,Wire-O even though my copy arrived damaged.I expect that the boys in ABA shipping prefer the perfect binding because they can slip it into an inexpensive envelope. They should use better packaging for the Wire-O.

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:23:18 +0000

I would suggest you look into RepKover or Otabind. I have multiple reference works that use this type of binding. It has all the qualities of perfect binding and still lies perfectly flat. The Wire-O is a bit annoying – it gets bent out of shape when carried in a bag, tears the pages easily, doesn’t fit well on a shelve and in general doesn’t match the quality of the contents of the book.