[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

re: (meteorobs) Technology Advantage



Andrew,
	I've considered using a laptop when I purchase one shortly, but my 
biggest fear is DEW. I've come in from observing with my sleeping bag 
soaked enough to squeeze water out of, and my plotting charts so wet that 
pencil points rip it if I'm not very careful. And that's with them covered, 
and on a heat source (my body). I wonder how long a keyboard will survive 
under those conditions. Another concern would be the display. Many laptop 
displays slow or stop functioning in severe cold. Of course, If you have 
regular power and a desktop that's not a problem, but all that dew raises 
concerns about possibly providing a path for those nasty electrons to 
travel to ground. 
	As far as the advance of communications, hardly enough can be said. If 
what I've had to learn to become a novice observer had to travel via snail 
mail to and from California, and South Carolina,(Not to mention Deutschland 
and other european locations), it would have taken years to extract as much 
useful information. The NAMN (Happy Anniversery) and this maillist are a 
dynamic active area of discussion and information. I doubt I would have 
been able to become as hooked as I am without it.
	Thanx to NAMN, Lew, and Gary Kronk for using tis great tool of the 
90's for an intelligent purpose!
Wayne
-------------
Original Text
From "Andrew G. Bacchi" <bacchia@sparrow.csc.vscdot edu>, on 7/31/96 8:47 AM:
To: <meteorobs@latradedot com>

To All,
I have been involved with computers for a few years, as a user at first, 
and later as a professional.  Watching the Net grow is somewhat 
overwhelming even to a seasoned person.  Only a short 2 years ago, the 
norm was command line text browsers, gopher servers, and simple mail 
handlers.  The present mode is graphical browsers, ISPs, and POP3, or 
IMAP desktop mailers.

The speed with which reports, of all types are communicated is increasing 
exponentially.  We have nearly instantaneous communication.  An example 
of the benefits 
of this is the information shared by Mark and George regarding my 
sightings.  I have gained the experience of the combined years of thier 
sightings, in a short few days.  Can you all imagine the implications of 
this?  We as a society, globally, will learn more in less time than ever 
before.  The mysteries of the universe will fall open, and the answers 
will be exposed at light speed.

It isn't too difficult to imagine that most, or all, observers will carry a 
laptop computer into the feild someday.  The recording of all the 
parameters will be done in a few short mouse cliks.  The info will be 
summerized and transmitted to HQ before you fold the lawn chair.  

Boy, do I love this stuff.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Andrew G. Bacchi
Vax System Manager
Castleton State College

visit my web page at: http://www.csc.vscdot edu/~bacchia/andrew.htm


Follow-Ups: