I have to tell you Albert, I can appreciate Ed's sense of humor.
A few years ago I sent Ed an email too, and like you I got no response. I can't remember exactly what the chipin question was but it was probably something like were the LIDO chips used in California or something like that. I thought about why I got no response for a while and decided that my question was actually rediculous and the answer was not very important to anyone other than me because I had just found a couple boxes of the LIDO chips in an antiques store in Hemit, California. I was just curious to know everything I could find out about them. I did not want to bother him with it and my question just seemed petty. About a year or so later, I was selling chips on
and packing them for shipping and I noticed I had sold a chip to Ed Hertel! So I decided to send him an email asking, are you the same Ed Hertel that has the web site? He answered, Yup, I am married to it for better or for worse!
I laughed so hard and it was a good lesson for me because of this, you spend a massive amount of hours setting it up only to find out that it will never ever be finished. There will always be adds, deletes, corrections, new finds, and new possitive IDs. It is your project for life like it or not. I can also understand why Dale does not want to do a 3rd Edition of his book and be bombarded with questions like, the PB-CA Eagle Crest & Seal chip has Highland Aerie 449 on the reverse so why did you code it? Answer: Because the chip is beautiful and it will test your antique skills and knowledge. Just go in the other room and twist one up!
So 2 years ago at the convention tourney at Binions, I had the pleasure of meeting Ed. I have a great appreciation for all of the work he has done and what it takes to keep up on it for the rest of your life, and his willingness to share his knowldge with others.