I have followed the discussion about replicating word rolls with a good
deal of interest.  Of course, we would all like to have the lyrics on our
new copies of rolls.  The question is, how do we do it?

Janet and Richard Tonnesen do not want to address this problem, and I can
say that I understand their reluctance completely.  God knows, they are
doing a lot for all of us as it is by providing their roll-duplicating
service, and for them to print words is, quite simply, asking too much
of them.

As I understand it, the problem is divided into three parts: (1) Creating
the tools, i.e. special computer programs, required to prepare lyrics for
printing, (2) Entering the lyrics using these tools, including placing
each syllable in its correct position along the length of the roll and
checking for spelling and syllabification errors,  (3) Printing the lyrics
on each roll, one roll at a time.

It seems to me that the most time-consuming part is the second one.
I therefore propose that the task of entering the lyrics and checking
them should be done for production by the owner of the original roll who
wants it replicated.  We can assume that roll owners have a particular
interest in this matter, and they should be willing to contribute some
of their time toward the effort.

I am willing to provide the special tools required.  I have already
done a lot of work in this direction, and I hereby volunteer to do the
programming necessary to complete the task.

The missing link in this proposal is the equipment for actually printing
the words.  I see this equipment as one or more surplus printers,
purchased at low prices  and modified to accept a roll, using friction-
feed advance. (Our local outlet has a large pile of beautifully-
made printers marked "All printers--$5.00 and down!")

I therefore propose a challenge to the readers of this Digest.  I will
provide completed computer files, including properly-placed syllabified
lyrics, and new copies of two (2) QRS rolls of the 1920s to any qualified
reader of this Digest who will make a serious attempt to purchase,
modify, and operate an existing printer to print words on the rolls.
The rolls I have in mind are QRS 3130, "Don't Bring Lulu," and QRS 2573,
"California, Here I Come".

The first successful participant will receive the accolades and
everlasting gratitude of the group.  (He or she will probably also
be inundated with requests to process word rolls for others.)

If you are interested in rising to this challenge, please respond through
the Digest so that all interested parties can follow the discussion and
progress.

With best regards,

Wayne Stahnke

 [ Editors note:
 [
 [ Bravo, Wayne!  And I have a few routines I will share, which I use to
 [ add lyric syllables from a text file to an existing Midi file.  Claus
 [ Kucher has used a program called "Karaoke", I believe, which may also
 [ be useful for manipulating lyrics.
 [
 [ Robbie Rhodes