This area will give you some information about this site. FAQ files, if you will. But if there's a question you have that isn't answered here, feel free to email me and/or leave feedback on the main page and I'll be certain to answer your questions.
Q: Why is the site called 'Cygnus X-1'?
A. Good question. I'm glad you asked. Scientifically speaking, Cygnus X-1 is the first discovered black hole in history. However, I took the name from an early song by the Canandian Power Trio Rush. The music of Rush - 30 years worth and counting - has long been an inspiration to me, so it made sense when selecting a site name that I went with something related to them.
Q: Do you have Rush-specific content on this site?
A. At this time, the main focus of this site is really two-fold; A site detailing our family (The Patuto's of Clinton, NJ) and a site detailing the largest Star Trek book collection in the world. More on both of those in a bit. But I do plan on creating a Rush-specific tribute page that will be incorporated here. Time frame for this section: Fall 2004.
Q: Ok, so tell me about the Star Trek book list.
A. Long ago, in a book store, far, far away... oh, wait...sorry, wrong sci-fi series. Back in the summer of 1978, I was walking in a bookstore and came across a Star Trek photonovel book called "The Galileo Seven". I was a budding Star Trek fan at that time, so I quickly plopped down $2.25 (a fortune for a book in those days) and hurried home to digest my first Star Trek book.
For years after that, I would begin to purchase many more Star Trek books - essentially limiting myself to books that caught my attention and books that discussed the science, technology and arrangement of the Star Trek universe.
As I hurled into the 1990's, it struck me that I had amassed quite a large collection of 'Trek' books - numbering close to 500 back then. I thought nothing of it, really. I expected there were hundreds of other books that I didn't have, never heard of, and quite likely would never have the ability to find.
Then the internet exploded on to the scene.
Suddenly, I had the ability to search for books that I didn't have in my collection - and the obsession took off from there. Today, my collection holds just shy of 1,000 unique books in all. From all accounts and inquiries I've made, this has been dubbed the largest private Star Trek book collection of its kind - anywhere in the known universe.
Since the internet helped me to obtain my ever-growing collection, I wanted to reflect all of my titles - some so rare that I've never come across any other copies other than my own - for all to see, witness and behold.
Other Star Trek book sites exist, like the incredible Complete Starfleet Library which has helped me identify and locate dozens upon dozens of titles that my collection did not have. And while that site is an incredible resource for Star Trek / book fans, I wanted to offer something a little different - images.
My site and book list contains images of every single book in my collection, as well as detailed information about each title. With this, I hope to aid other Star Trek book collectors identify titles that are out there and show them exactly what they are looking for.
Sorry for the long answer, but you did ask...
Q: How often will you be updating the Star Trek book list?
A. I currently keep all of my Star Trek books housed in a customized MS-Access database which uses a LCARS front-end environment that I designed (and sell on Ebay periodically). I've developed a method to auto-dump new entries from my local database to this site at the push of a button. So, to answer this question, the site will be updated every time I add a new book to my collection. How's that for real-time service?
Q: What else can I find on this site?
A. The main page will give you links to various pages that are loaded with various pictures. I've included recent family pictures and events, a section of our never-ending home improvement projects, an area showcasing many of Jennifer's scrapbook pages, as well as a section of 'other' pictures. What's in there? Check and see :-)
I also have links to my Ebay page - check and see what we have for sale - as well as a link to my Epinions page. Over the past several years, I have been submitting product reviews to Epinions. See what I've written about by exploring that site as well.
Finally, the main page will have a journal of recent events (both site and family related) that will be updated on a semi-regular basis.
Q: So, did you build this site yourself, or did you have help?
A. Ah, I'm thrilled that you asked. If you surf on over to Mindless Intensity, you'll witness the creator of this site. Rian put together the general layout of this site, helped me with the PHP scripts and gave me 24-hours of support (and let me tell you, she wasn't thrilled about the 3am calls.) So please check out her site - you'll be glad you did!
Q: Sounds great. So how do I get back to the main page?
A. Simple. Click on the 'Back to Main' page link below. And enjoy!
