Find dark skies near you with Google Earth and a light pollution overlay: (link...).

-- OneTahiti

Sixty 4th-grade students in Midtown Elementary are hoping for 5 microscopes to use in science classes. They have a project at DonorsChoose.org, but there are only 18 days before the request times out, and there is $900.24 remaining to be raised.

Please consider donating to help these kids realize their dream: (link...). Even small donations can add up.

-- OneTahiti

Read it in the Tennessean: (link...).

-- OneTahiti

Artists on a budget will be happy to know that Daz3D.com is giving away free software usually valued at about $800. These free products are available for both Mac and Windows. Download them soon, though, as the offer is time-limited.

-- OneTahiti

Actually, I haven't used Kodachrome since around 1976, but prior to that Kodachrome Transparencies were about all I ever used. I shoot 400 ASA in black & white for my advertising job at the Roane County NEWS, and some large format film for the wedding business I had on the side.

Since Kodak stopped the manufacture of Kodachrome film, and the necessary enriching development chemicals, in June of 2009, the last place in the entire world that developed Kodachrome, Dwayne's Photo in Kansas, will process and develop its last roll on December 30th! That is, providing their chemical supplies don't run out first!

Dwayne's started processing Kodachrome in 1956. Now that service is being discontinued, but don't worry 'bout Dwayne and crew, they will continue to process other types of film and provide all other photo services. Only Kodachrome processing is being discontinued.

MORE AT MUSHY'S BLOG!

It turns out (e.g., (link...)) that the products we use on our skin and hair and faces are often filled with many poisons.

To check out the toxins--or more rarely, the lack thereof--in the products you give and use, search at this excellent database ((link...)).

-- OneTahiti

found right here on RoaneViews... It's about the BP oil spill... see
(link...)

RB

Microsoft is giving over 25,000 free vouchers for online computer education to Tennessee residents. Computer access is also provided for residents without computers. Find out more in the Knoxville News Sentinel story ((link...)) or at the state of Tennessee's Elevate America site at elevateamerica.tn.gov ((link...)).

-- OneTahiti

Those of us in the rural areas of Roane County and environs, except the very lucky, must make do with dial-up Internet or, if we have the funds, satellite service from Hughes or WildBlue.

In our house we chose Hughes years ago. We noticed that many less popular sites would give us DNS errors if we hadn't accessed them recently, or sometimes give a very old version of the pages instead of fresh content.

Finally this happened with a couple sites of our own.

Continued...

Do you live in a broadband "dead zone?" If so, let the FCC know right away.

Go to www.broadband.gov, click on the "I do not have broadband at home" button, and fill out the form.

Continued...

Google is offering ultrafast broadband to cities, but they must apply by March 26: (link...)

I hope cities in Roane County, perhaps even the county itself, are applying. This broadband would propel us into the modern age and would attract both new business and new residents.

-- OneTahiti

TVA has contracted to buy over 100 MW of power from an Iowa green utility.

See:
(link...)

RB

Technical-minded Roane Countians, take notice. :) The following appears in the ET IEEE blog:

"Please volunteer to help with the 2010 Tennessee Science Bowl! Do your part to encourage students in the pursuit of technical careers."

"It is an easy, two-step process: (1) check your calendar to verify your availability on Saturday, February 27, 2010 and (2) visit the new, improved website and volunteer on-line!" http://www.orau.gov/sciencebowl/

"This year, there will not be a snow-day -- this may simplify your planning. One day, one big festive event! AND! The organizers will award a new 2010 Tennessee Science Bowl T-shirt to the first, fifth and 15th person who signs up!"

"Last year was pretty darned good. This year will be better still, with an aim for 50 teams, from 50 schools across the state."

Technical-minded Roane Countians, take notice. :) The following appears in the ET IEEE blog:

"Please volunteer to help with the 2010 Tennessee Science Bowl! Do your part to encourage students in the pursuit of technical careers."

Continued...

A recent Microsoft security patch has reportedly resulted in occurrences of a "Black Screen of Death" in some XP, Vista, and Windows 7 computers.

A free tool--with directions--is available to fix the problem. While not all "Black Screens of Death" are caused by the recent update, the tool is "worth a try." See: PC World.

Update 12/4/2009: Apparently the Black Screens of Death are "not all Microsoft's fault." "Microsoft is now blaming the problem on malware." See: (link...)

-- OneTahiti

As of November 2009: Microsoft's Bing.com search site allegedly leaves 3-month cookies on your computer that cause prices to be raised for you, even markedly raised, when you visit many other online stores. Before shopping online, make sure you close all browser windows showing Bing.com, then clear your cookies. See a vivid example and more at: (link...)

And... Happy Thanksgiving!

-- OneTahiti

Roane County citizens are invited to enjoy the first SRSS Bad Light Shootout on August 1, when Tamke-Allan Observatory will operate N4TAO as a Special Event Amateur Radio Station. The public is invited to participate in these events. The Bad Light Shootout is sponsored by Save Roane Starry Skies, and participants will shoot at targets picturing inefficient and poorly-designed light fixtures using marshmallows and water balloons. Help stamp out "bad" lights, old-fashioned street lights that shine out and up, wasting energy and money, causing dangerous glare, and blotting out the night sky. Admission is free before 7 PM.

Local hams from the Roane County Amateur Radio Club will operate our radio transmit/receive station, as we celebrate the two-year anniversary of our site radio license. The observatory is also active in optical and radio astronomy, and radio astronomy lectures and demonstrations are planned. Refreshments will be available. Operation will begin at 1600 h (4 PM) and continue into the evening hours. This Special Event Amateur Radio Station will coordinate activities with other stations operated from lighthouses around the world. We are “TAO Lighthouse, Collecting Starlight under Dark Skies” and we expect to be the only observatory participating in the radio net.

The Public Stargaze begins at 7:00 PM and the public will be treated to astronomy lectures, views of the night sky, and participation in ham radio activities. This will be an excellent evening to visit and enjoy some astronomy. The observatory sponsors public Stargazes on the first and third Saturday evenings of each month. Amateur astronomers bring telescopes and binoculars and offer views of astronomical objects, while visitors are invited to bring their questions and food to share with the astronomers.

TAO is a part of Roane State Community College, and supports light conservation and energy conservation. Poorly directed light is wasted and causes glare – a hazard on our highways.. Directing light downward where it is needed conserves energy and gives us a safer, more secure community. It also keeps our observatory open for education and research. When was the last time that you could see our beautiful milky way? We are losing our Roane County heritage to the glare of unshielded lights.

TAO is located just off Caney Creek Road between Midtown and Rockwood. Please check the observatory web site at (link...) for driving instructions and a map. TAO is wheelchair-accessible.

www.roanestate.edu/obs

www.SaveRoaneStarrySkies.org

Roane County, especially rural Roane County, has been "left behind." Indeed, Tennessee and much of the South (and the US) are "left behind" too. See this broadband news in Slashdot:

Continued...

Well, seems like some folks in Singapore have worked out a reasonable reastion to pull CO2 out of the air and us it to make a useful organic product. A new twist to recycling the atmosphere in favor of sustainability. Produces methanol, the simplest alcohol, which is useful in many chemical processes and as a solvent.

(link...)

RB

Check this out. Mesh nodes instead of discrete nodes for wireless connectivity. It MAY help us!

(link...)

RB

April 1, 2009 is the day that Conficker will supposedly strike at Windows computers around the world.

The good news is that help is available. The Download Blog over at CNet has an excellent article titled "Rid your computer of the Conficker virus." You will quickly learn how to detect whether or not your computer is infected and how to remove the pest and its relatives. The article includes links to free scan and removal tools.

-- OneTahiti

There is something new at RoaneViews today, a problem with embedding images. The software is inserting extra br tags at the wraparound points of lines. Ordinarily this is OK. However, if these extra characters are inserted into the middle of an img tag, the tag is broken.

Continued...

Would you rather see nuclear reactors constructed than more coal-fired power plants?

Yes. I think nuclear power has its problems: We haven't solved the long-term storage problems, and we have to be very cognizant of the proliferation problem. But the safety is better and will continue to get better, and nuclear power is far better for climate than coal.

(link...)

Anyone out there testing it? Just installed it on a Gateway laptop. Easiest Windows install ever. I do not like Vista, so far I like this. Program menu stays neatly in the start menu, no fly out, just a little scroll. If you love sticky notes you can put them all over your desktop. The task bar is more like a mac with large preview icons. Beta is over in August 1. Released?
We'll see...

The malicious worm Downadup, also called Conflicker or Conficker, spreads through networks and the autorun feature in USB memory sticks and drives, CDs, and DVDs. It is estimated that one in 16 PCs is already infected. Microsoft Windows, even with the latest updates, does not disable the autorun feature properly. XP updates do not even address the vulnerability.

Learn how to disable autorun in Microsoft Windows to protect against this type of autorun-based malware.

Here is the short version of the directions for Windows XP users:

Continued...

... how about all levels of government and petroleum usage?

1) We reduce usage of gasoline and diesel because of prices and numerous other factors (but mainly because it hurts so much to buy it).

Continued...

An old friend has asked if I know anyone qualified for a WebTrends consulting job. He's a consultant at the same place. It is mostly remote work, but there is occasional travel to Minnesota. It would be nice if the job and dollars went to someone from Roane County.

Continued...

This is bad news for our schools. :(

See the discussion on Slashdot: (link...)

Here's a quote: "Last week, the RIAA celebrated the signing of a ridiculous new law in Tennessee that says:

Continued...

Has anyone tried this new recycling service at EcoNewOnline.com? It sounds good: they trade free shipping and a gift card for you sending in your old electronics for recycling.

I read about it on WBIR: (link...)