JB’s Circuit

You know where I’m going with this title, don’t you? Yes, it’s time again for UFO Fest (check out the video)? Who will meet me there at the McMenamin’s Hotel in the backwater town of McMinnvile, OR? UFO citings are fairly common, especially after a few pints of Hammerhead or Ruby ale.

Is it the world’s oldest-geared driven analog computer? That’s the claim of this admittedly unscientific web site called the “Museum of Unnatural Mystery.” I found the site while helping my 6th grade-level son decide on a topic for his weekly science exploration project at school. What struck his interest was Stonehenge, while my fancy was piqued by the Antikythera Mechanism.

Now, you may be asking yourself – as my wife asked of me – what Stonehenge has to do with science? My response was quick and assured; “The prevailing theory on the purpose of Stonehenge was that it was created by early astronomers to correlate the earth’s seasons with the rotation of the heavens.”

Had I stopped there, everything would have been fine. But, being a child of the 60’s, I couldn’t resist adding what I remembered of Erich von Daniken thoughts on Stonehenge as site of extraterrestrial visitations. Then there was my comment about a Dr Who episode that dealt with Stonehenge (“The Stones of Blood”). Her raised eyebrow was enough to confirm my fear that my services as my son’s science adviser would no longer be needed. C’est la vie!

BTW: Here’s a truly bizzard yet fairly entertaining – thanks to the Enya music selections – Youtube LEGO version of the Dr. Who episode.

Interesting article in the Guardian about the evolution (or de-evolution) of Wikipedia. A bit long, but offers of view of Wikipedia that I hadn’t seen. For example:

”… one of the most thoughtful observers of Wikipedia’s history, told a Canadian reporter: “The preference now is for excising, deleting, restricting information rather than letting it sit there and grow.””

And the great experiment in Internet democracy continues.

Physists Says Time Travel not only Possible, but Likely.

His book would probably sell more copies if his future self came back for a book signing. <grin> Plus, this was covered by FoxNews. Enough said.

And his name isn’t really “Dr Who.”

This post is directed to Portland, OR, readers. The local Oregon Tualatin Valley
Amateur Radio Club (OTVARC) will be offering FREE Amateur (Ham) Radio Class!
Come all three Saturdays January 5th, 12th, and 19th from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Station 67, 13810 SW Farmington Road, Beaverton
(West of Beaverton High School)

For more information, contact:
Janet Bell at 648-4147 or wb7fjc@arrl.net

Both my son and I are planning to attend. — JB

Futurama, that is. Yep - one of my favorite shows. We all have our weaknesses. — JB

But the death of paper has been predicted for decades now. Bill Powers, media critic for the National Journal, believes that paper isn’t just an old habit, but rather an advanced technology that is nearly impossible to improve upon.[Why Books Will Survive].

I certainly hope that books will survive. There is something unique, something ancient, about books. There are few pleasures as enjoyable as escaping with your favorite book to a secret place, opening the covering and reading.

Of course, most people prefer to read books that excite their imagination. Unfortunately, few technical books fire the imagination in this way. Still, technical books provide a pleasure of their own, especially those that rest near our desk, silent sentinels patiently awaiting our next inquiry. These technical books become references – close friends – that we turn to in need.

I have yet to write the first type of book, i.e., a non-technical book – tho it’s in the works. But I have co-authored two technical books, the latest of which has just been released by Elsevier. It’s not for everyone, but those folks involved in RF design may find it useful [RF Design]

Panoramic view of Portland’s bridges made the “Picture of the Day” on Wikipedia, including the Sellwood, Ross Island, Marquam, Hawthorne, Morrision, Burnside, Steel and Fremont bridges. Very cool!

Though my favorite Oregon bridge – next to the Astoria and Sellword bridges – is the Saint John’s Bridge. This link goes to an interesting site about the recent “St. Johns Bridge Rehabilitation Project – Oregon Department of Transportation.”

After 3 years of practice and training, my family and I - from the youngest to the oldest - passed our Tae Kwon Do Black Belt tests on Saturday, Nov 17th. What a grueling experience! But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!