Umbrella Advise Needed

I read a blog post where someone said they had modified an umbrella using Ray Jardine's instructions in "Beyond Backpacking". Unfortunately, this book is out of print. Does anyone know what modifications Ray recommends ? Is there a way to lighten an umbrella, or make it stronger ?

Also, how do the fiberglass golf umbrellas or collapsible Totes umbrellas compare to the ones available from Go-Lite, etc ?

Thanks.