Not sure about the copyright thing. Libraries copy papers all the time long before the copyrights expire. Copying to microfiche is a way to backup the book as it were. If you own the book (not the copyright just what you can buy at the bookstore) then you should be able to copy it to microfiche. Microfiche is not a threat to the copyright since it is not easily saleable. You won't be hurting their book sales by have a microfiche copy of the book.

Laminating the microfiche is probably a bad idea. Microfiche is not a printed medium with ink that can rub off it is a photographic medium with the image embedded in the material similar to a slide. Also the image is very high resolution and you need good - extremely good optics to reliably retrieve the information. Woudln't want the distortion that might be introduced by the lamination plastic and adhesive. Wouldn't want to subject the microfiche to the heat of lamination either.

You are right. Microfiches are made of transparent material. Making them at home without proper equipment is not going to yield satisfactory results. Laminated paper is the medium that is most likely to give you durable homemade sheets to take with you.

All good points from everyone.

When I wrote that I was considering printing on a card or paper I was thinking in terms of viewing it from the front with a freznel magnifying lens.

I didn't realize that lamination might ruin the visibility of the text. Does anyone know of an alternative to lamination that can waterproof the text without ruining the visibility?

As far as copyrights go, I don't plan on reproducing the text and selling it for profit. So I won't be breaking any laws.

I'm also considering having the text printed by a place like Kinkos or other some print center. Maybe they can print text at an even smaller print than a common consumer printer can.

like kinkos, they won't copy what you didn't create.

This product did exist...

Back in the 80's I remember seeing a product like this advertised in Survive magazine (a short lived magazine by the editors of Soldier of Fortune) and may have been in early issues of ASG as well. I wish i had more details for you, perhaps searching for microfische on ebay will turn one up...

Dave

Check this out. It's called the MedData Card



See that black square on the card. That is a mircofiche copy of all your important medical information. Looks like someone out there has the same idea I've been asking about.
Here's their site Emergency Preparedness International, Inc.

While it sounds like a great idea and may have use in the hospital, I have my doubts as to its value in the pre-hospital setting. There are enough of us here on the forum involved in EMS that can give you varying points of view, allowing you to decide the value of this card. What I mean by the card’s limited value in the field is not that the information would be of limited value, but the ability to locate the card on your person and the ability to read the data, may limit its value. All EMS providers when examining a patient that is either unconscious or having a level of conscious so limited that we are unable to ascertain vital medical information will look for a Medical-Alert bracelet, tag or other alert device. If the patient is critical or has been involved in an accident and is unable to answer questions, generally our first priorities are the ABCD’s that have been discussed before in other posts. If there are enough personal on the scene and if someone has the time they may look for ID and other documents of a medical nature in your wallet, but many times a Law Enforcement Officer has taken possession of the wallet and it is not readily available to us to look for this card. If the individual also had some type Medical-Alert device advising the card was located in the wallet, it might have more value. I would like to hear from other EMS providers on this forum as to their opinion of the card for the pre-hospital setting. Pete

paramedicpete,

Thanks for your EMS point of view. It's good to know there is EMS on the forum to offer it. I understand and agree with your pre-hospital points.

The card itself is a form of microfiche media being stored in a wallet. That is what I was focusing on. I wasn't sure if microfiche could be stored in less than ideal conditions (i.e. other than a filing cabinet). This card proves to me that it can be done.

This idea has been around for at least 10 years, because I tried to get one from a company that had something similar to this – may even have been the same outfit – but they went out of business (after taking my money!). The only down side I can see to this approach, as opposed to a medic-alert type bracelet or necklace, is that God help you if you lose your wallet. All of that information will be a treasure trove for an identity thief. That is one reason I do not keep an extensive list of contact and personal information in my wallet.

An additional caveat – paramedics and first responders are trained to look for, or at least notice and respond to, the various medical alert bracelets. They would probably not have the time to go through your wallet, if indeed they could even find your wallet after a serious accident.

Thanks for your comments. I agree it would be a nightmare if someone stole a microfiche card with all of your personal information on it. But I don't plan to use microfiche for that purpose. I plan to have survival books and maybe a novel or two. If someone steals that then I hope they make good use of the information. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />