Hey berry I got a question. Is this just dcs controls or does this go over lay out set up and is this compatible with fast track too?
Also does ogr guys get a discount code to put in for the soft cover book 
The exact track type has nothing to do with DCS compatibility. He does talk about interfacing with TMCC and Legacy bases to control TMCC engines through the DCS remote.
Barry. Thanks a lot for this post. I missed it the first time around and had previously purchased the e version. I like hardocpy but you do what you have to do(the information is fantastic!). It was a long time ago.
I went back on-line after seeing this thread, and sure enough, the update was there and free. Thank you very much, Terry
Is this just dcs controls or does this go over lay out set up and is this compatible with fast track too?
The book describes, among many other things, how to wire both a new layout for DCS and also how to add DCS to an existing layout, including TMCC/Legacy integration.
Also does ogr guys get a discount code to put in for the soft cover book
No, they do not. However, there are discounts for clubs and dealers who buy multiple copies. You'll need to send me an E-mail for details if you believe that you may qualify in that regard.
Terry,
Thank you very much
You are very welcome!
Barry,
When I purchased the first edition, I was able to copy it to a CD and take it to my local FEDEX Office Center to have them print me a nice, hard copy. The CD I copied it to is a rewritable one. But when I tried to erase the first edition, I got an "unauthorized..." reply. So, my rewritable CD is stuck with an old version (#1). To make matters worse, I get the same reply when I try to copy the latest version to a CD. Is this a way to capture the market on "printable copies"? I purchased vs. 2 last year but never printed it or copied it. Just now I downloaded the revised vs 2 and can't do anything with it but look at it on the computer or print it locally from the PDF document. I would rather not use my printer to print such a large document (even with double sided printing).
Or is there some method to the madness I don't understand?
Bill
Bill,
There is absolutely no prohibition from using the pdf as you would any other pdf, except that it requires a password to open it. Any difficulties that you're experiencing with your rewrite-able CD are just that - problems with your rewrite-able CD.
I suggest that you use a new CD.
I never had much luck with re-writable CDs. I threw them out years ago. Flash drives are now cheap and work perfectly.
There is one great advantage to the pdf version: the ability to do a word search in Acrobat, which is quicker than browsing a hard copy. If you need text at the lauyout, individual page(s) can be printed out
Barry
Just bought your e book and looking forward to some good reading.
Glenn
Just bought your e book and looking forward to some good reading.
Glenn
Glenn,
Thank you!
Hi Barry,
Would I be able to purchase an electronic copy of your book online, from South Africa?
Or do you think MTH online shop will allow Visa card payment or rather Paypal?
A hard copy won't work for me because I'm vertually blind and can benefit from electronic reading.
Carl,
I expect that you could purchase the book from MTH using your Visa card and download it without any issues.
Is there a particular reason that you're concerned because you live in South Africa??
Thanks Barry, will go check if I have any issues buying it off MTH.
Was just not sure how it works using Visa card with local currency, etc. I did my first purchase the other day on Ebay using Paypal, and I was surprized how easy it went, besides the Exchange rate that hammers us South Africans.
Carl,
I expect your card will be charged in US dollars and the exchange rate will be applied by the card company's bank.
Hi Barry, no worries, I ordered and downloaded your book, thanks very much.
Just one problem, can I request you to email me at carl@futuresolutions.co.za so I can discuss a password issue with you off the list?
They told me what password to use to access the book/document and when I use that password I get a different access error as to when I put in a wrong password purposely, so maybe it's something I need to set.
Carl,
I sent you an E-mail.
Thanks Barry, I just re-downloaded your book from MTH and it works. I'm looking forward to using it with my new DCS system as soon as it gets through SA customs. I also downloaded the DCS loader app and will try get the necessary cables in the future so if I need to update or play with sound files.
Carl,
Welcome to the world of DCS!
Hi Barry, just want to say thanks, I have "read" your book electronically through all the way, but just a sort of quick-read, and found everything to be very easy-to-understand and very well laid out. I now can go into sections more thoroughly once I get my DCS System as I require.
Carl,
Thanks for the kind words - they're appreciated!
Barry,
I am a Gscale MTH railroader I am about to order Is there any plans for a new revision to "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition". Just wondering if I should wait?
John
John,
At present, I do not have any plans to further update the book.
However, if that changes, any purchasers of the eBook, current and future, will be able to get an updated copy of the eBook at no additional charge.
If I update the print book, I will publish on this forum, any changes made to the printed book.
No PS/3 update on it's way? 
John,
PS3 is covered, for the most part, in the HO addendum. The O and HO PS3 operating characteristics are, for the most part, the same.
If I do a revision, I would probably add more about O gauge PS3, as well as any new or revised features that make their way into a next DCS release.
Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:
as well as any new or revised features that make their way into a next DCS release.
Which we eagerly await. Any hints about what we might expect?
The current beta includes bug fixes for Super mode speed scrolling and engine's stuck in the Inactive Engine List, as well as a method to set lashup member settings that actually works well and a "speed mode" when operating in Super mode.
Don't ask for details or schedules because I will not provide any.
Barry,
I purchased the book last year (2013). I would like to print a copy of it from my computer, as I think it would be more handy than have to run upstairs to my computer ever time for info. However it does not want to print. Every time I try to print it nothing happens, but it does not give any errors.
John
Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:
An eBook plus printed copy costs $42.90 plus a few bucks for shipping.
Which is the way to go if you're serious about this. This is THE manual for DCS, information not available elsewhere, and either version alone would be a bargain at $42.90. What the heck can you buy for that here in model train land?
My layout is in a separate building from my house, so I have the paperback hard copy there in the train room, well-worn, for reference. I also ended up with a second copy on my coffee table here for evening perusing. And then there is the eBook version, which is indespensible especially for quick searching when you can't remember what page it was where you read that... for convenient reference when you are at your computer... and also for printing out pages or diagrams so you can mark them up...
If you factor the price of both versions right into the cost of a DCS set-up, get them up front and study and refer to them often, you will find you will save far more than $42.90 in wasted time and correcting mistakes.
I have been a firm believer in "When all else fails, read the instructions", and it served me well in many pursuits. This aphorism does NOT apply to DCS.
John,
There's no provision to keep you from printing a copy of the book for your own use. In fact, it says just that on page 2:
"The purchaser of this book is permitted
to print copies of this book only
for personal use solely by the purchaser."
However, if you want a full color copy you are, as hijack states, better off just buying a copy of the print book.
As Chris points out, for some reason unknown to me, Amazon has placed the book on sale for $19.95. I have no control of the Amazon pricing and have even less of an idea how long this "sale" will last. At $19.95, it's a bargain.
The "good news" is that, even though the Amazon royalties are a pittance, they haven't reduced the pittance due to the sale price.
Just checked Amazon. It says:"The DCS O Gauge Companion by Barry Broskowitz (Mar 3, 2011)" Seems 2011 might be a clue to the version they are selling.
Forest,
That would be a very bad clue, indeed!
The books are printed on demand and there is no "old stock". The books are always the very latest copies.
2011 is the original date of the print book 2nd edition. If You were to "look inside" on page 2 you'd see 2012 Revision Date.
Barry,
Will you have your latest edition at York to sell?
Will you have your latest edition at York to sell?
Typically, MTH will take preorders in advance of the show for delivery at York. However, that hasn't been setup yet for the coming show. Those books will be full price, however, there won't be shipping charges.
Holly Beach Trains will have a few copies available, as may Charles Ro.
Right now, your best bet is to purchase a copy at Amazon while they're on sale.
What's the regular Amazon price? For the current $18.50, I couldn't print it at home.
By the time you pay shipping and tax, you can buy it at York for about the same price.
Shipping is $3.99. But you do save the cost of getting to York and the price of a hotel.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
By the time you pay shipping and tax, you can buy it at York for about the same price.
Who Pays tax?
And York is just a hair under $1000.00 for me, so Amazon would still be cheaper. As for Amazon pricing, who knows how they come up with their prices. I have seen Kindle books that cost more than paperback copies of the same book.
That's already in my budget, so I discount the costs to go to York. 
