WebElements
http://www.webelements.com/
While on the subject of periodic tables of the elements, I just learned about the "WebElements" periodic table website.
In a quick look, it is impressive to me and it appears complementary to "Periodic Library" software I described in my previous post.
I found out about the "WebElements" Web page because it received a Scientific American 2002 Sci-Tech Web Award in the field of chemistry.
WebElements
"The first ever periodic table on the WWW"
Author: Mark Winter [Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, England]
Royal Society of Chemistry 1998 HE Teaching Award winner
45 million page views in the last 12 months
"Click on an element in this interactive Periodic Table and a concise description of its properties appears, along with links for more info, such as its crystal structure or other properties. A helpful photograph accompanies most elements (room-temperature gases are not ignored—an image of a beaker of frigid liquid oxygen appears, for instance) and more details are available in RealAudio shorts."
September 13, 2002
Periodic Library - free download for students or home personal use
An interactive periodic table of the elements.
---- Periodic Library 1.8 - 362KB ----
Download at: http://www.boolean.ca/perlib/
Chemistry is still my first love. I have all kinds of periodic tables around my office and use them often, but the "Periodic Library" is an especially useful periodic table of the elements resource for me. "It takes full advantage of your computer's capabilities ... "
I'm like "a kid in a candy factory" :-) being able to raise or lower temperature and observe changes in the solid, liquid and gaseous states of the elements and trends in the periodic table elemental groups. Trend charts for the periodicity of various elemental physical properties can be displayed. And there are many other neat features.
An interactive periodic table of the elements.
---- Periodic Library 1.8 - 362KB ----
Download at: http://www.boolean.ca/perlib/
Chemistry is still my first love. I have all kinds of periodic tables around my office and use them often, but the "Periodic Library" is an especially useful periodic table of the elements resource for me. "It takes full advantage of your computer's capabilities ... "
I'm like "a kid in a candy factory" :-) being able to raise or lower temperature and observe changes in the solid, liquid and gaseous states of the elements and trends in the periodic table elemental groups. Trend charts for the periodicity of various elemental physical properties can be displayed. And there are many other neat features.
Historical Maps
Perry-Castañeda Library
Map Collection at The University of Texas online
< http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/ >
Since taking several advanced American and European history classes as a hobby in retirement, I've come to enjoy historical maps. I can look at them for hours.
So the discovery of the University of Texas Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection link is a joy for me. The maps are worldwide.
As an example, I just spent nearly half an hour studying this map.
Europe 1360
Europe about 1360. From The Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd, 1926.
See map at:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/europe_1360.jpg
Perry-Castañeda Library
Map Collection at The University of Texas online
< http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/ >
Since taking several advanced American and European history classes as a hobby in retirement, I've come to enjoy historical maps. I can look at them for hours.
So the discovery of the University of Texas Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection link is a joy for me. The maps are worldwide.
As an example, I just spent nearly half an hour studying this map.
Europe 1360
Europe about 1360. From The Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd, 1926.
See map at:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/europe_1360.jpg
September 12, 2002
What would you look like if you were a Lego?
Picture yourself in plastic with the Mini-Mizer (reasonablyclever.com).
Legojack.jpg [8-)] attached to e-mails to JackinOklahoma list.
Picture yourself in plastic with the Mini-Mizer (reasonablyclever.com).
Legojack.jpg [8-)] attached to e-mails to JackinOklahoma list.
EU Coins Might be a Mild Irritant
This article from Deutsche Welle [DW-Word.de], September 12, 2002, caught my eye because my parents used to warn me that money is the "dirtiest" item we handle in our daily lives. The issue here is different. It is about an allergic reaction to high nickel content.
-------------------
"Swiss scientists have revealed just how allergenic the euro coins are to those suffering from nickel allergy, a relatively common syndrome. [in up to 30 per cent of the population]"
[Excerpt]
"The euro currency, adopted by most of Europe at the beginning of this year, can release up to 320 times the amount of nickel that European Union regulations say triggers skin reactions in people allergic to the metal."
See full article at:
<http://dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1446_A_630263_1_A,00.html>
This article from Deutsche Welle [DW-Word.de], September 12, 2002, caught my eye because my parents used to warn me that money is the "dirtiest" item we handle in our daily lives. The issue here is different. It is about an allergic reaction to high nickel content.
-------------------
"Swiss scientists have revealed just how allergenic the euro coins are to those suffering from nickel allergy, a relatively common syndrome. [in up to 30 per cent of the population]"
[Excerpt]
"The euro currency, adopted by most of Europe at the beginning of this year, can release up to 320 times the amount of nickel that European Union regulations say triggers skin reactions in people allergic to the metal."
See full article at:
<http://dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1446_A_630263_1_A,00.html>
SpamKiller Spam
I am on record saying I like SpamKiller sold by McAfee. In fact I recently downloaded the latest SpamKiller version even though I am barely bothered by spam at this time. I keep SpamKiller idle for the time being.
But get this! I forget where I read it, but there is a report the McAfee folks have found an effective way to market SpamKiller by sending spam messages advertising SpamKiller. I reacted mildly at first but as time passes it makes my hackles bristle for the gall of McAfee to send spam about SpamKiller. Anything to make a buck, I guess.
Anyone familiar with SpamKiller knows it takes just a single keystroke to add a message source to the spam filters. So at least SpamKiller can be used to kill SpamKiller spam. :?)
I am on record saying I like SpamKiller sold by McAfee. In fact I recently downloaded the latest SpamKiller version even though I am barely bothered by spam at this time. I keep SpamKiller idle for the time being.
But get this! I forget where I read it, but there is a report the McAfee folks have found an effective way to market SpamKiller by sending spam messages advertising SpamKiller. I reacted mildly at first but as time passes it makes my hackles bristle for the gall of McAfee to send spam about SpamKiller. Anything to make a buck, I guess.
Anyone familiar with SpamKiller knows it takes just a single keystroke to add a message source to the spam filters. So at least SpamKiller can be used to kill SpamKiller spam. :?)
September 11, 2002
Micro Fuel Cells
It seems my entire career since 1955 training and practicing as a chemist and chemical engineer, I intermittently hear of the promise of fuel cells as an energy source for running various things, including automobiles. The simplicity of the chemistry is enticing. Hydrogen and oxygen are reacted together to form electrons (to provide electricity) and water. But the devil is in the details. Other than demonstration units periodically put on display, the road to develop technology for commercially feasible fuel cells is a rough one - at least from my vantage point.
Having said this, I have a spark of excitement reading the article about micro fuel cells in Science News online <www.sciencenews.org>. Maybe, maybe ... there is a niche for a successful commercial application of fuel cells in the field of micro fuel cells.
Pocket Sockets
Science News Online Week of Sept. 7, 2002; Vol. 162, No. 10
Tiny fuel cells for portable electronics have arrived, almost
Peter Weiss
[Excerpt]
"Fuel cells as small as a few centimeters across—known as micro fuel cells—could last 10 or more hours and be refueled in seconds, their promoters say. For personal electronics, 'people . . . desperately need the product,' says Robert K. Lifton of New York City–based fuel cell developer Medis Technologies."
The complete article is at:
<http://www.sciencenews.org/20020907/bob10.asp>
It seems my entire career since 1955 training and practicing as a chemist and chemical engineer, I intermittently hear of the promise of fuel cells as an energy source for running various things, including automobiles. The simplicity of the chemistry is enticing. Hydrogen and oxygen are reacted together to form electrons (to provide electricity) and water. But the devil is in the details. Other than demonstration units periodically put on display, the road to develop technology for commercially feasible fuel cells is a rough one - at least from my vantage point.
Having said this, I have a spark of excitement reading the article about micro fuel cells in Science News online <www.sciencenews.org>. Maybe, maybe ... there is a niche for a successful commercial application of fuel cells in the field of micro fuel cells.
Pocket Sockets
Science News Online Week of Sept. 7, 2002; Vol. 162, No. 10
Tiny fuel cells for portable electronics have arrived, almost
Peter Weiss
[Excerpt]
"Fuel cells as small as a few centimeters across—known as micro fuel cells—could last 10 or more hours and be refueled in seconds, their promoters say. For personal electronics, 'people . . . desperately need the product,' says Robert K. Lifton of New York City–based fuel cell developer Medis Technologies."
The complete article is at:
<http://www.sciencenews.org/20020907/bob10.asp>
Persistence Pays Off
Now I feel embarrassed by my vent yesterday about my "decision of the third kind" to postpone an Antivirus software upgrade.
I was pretty frustrated after hours of "taking one step forward and two steps backward."
Then I remembered a sometimes useful strategy - to uninstall the previous software version before installing an upgrade version of the software.
So I completely uninstalled eTrust EZ Antivirus 5.4. Then I did a clean install of the eTrust EZ Antivirus 6.0 upgrade.
And now the upgrade version is working just great. Although I admit that stripping my computer of Antivirus software even for a brief period was a little spooky. :-)
Now I feel embarrassed by my vent yesterday about my "decision of the third kind" to postpone an Antivirus software upgrade.
I was pretty frustrated after hours of "taking one step forward and two steps backward."
Then I remembered a sometimes useful strategy - to uninstall the previous software version before installing an upgrade version of the software.
So I completely uninstalled eTrust EZ Antivirus 5.4. Then I did a clean install of the eTrust EZ Antivirus 6.0 upgrade.
And now the upgrade version is working just great. Although I admit that stripping my computer of Antivirus software even for a brief period was a little spooky. :-)
September 10, 2002
On Nonconformity
"Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity."
--Christopher Morley
"Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity."
--Christopher Morley
And The Glaciers Recede
I am intrigued by news of ancient human and animal remains melting out of receding glaciers around the world - described in USNews.com as "a bounty of a warming world."
My intrigue is in large part because I have personal experience traversing glaciers, including observations of their recession.
In late July of 1976 and 1977, I traversed Dinwoody Glacier in Wyoming's Wind River Range. Dinwoody is a large glacier clinging to the side of Gannett Peak, the highest peak in Wyoming and terminating at the bottom moraine - accumulations of rock debris from the valley walls.
My fellow climbers and I noticed recession of Dinwoody Glacier in those two years. Near the moraine there are large rocks sitting on pedestals of ice. The ice melts slower immediately beneath the rocks until the rocks fall off making new moraine. Traversing the moraine is slow and deceivingly dangerous in part because of delicate footing on the "ice pedestal rocks." So more moraine is easy to notice. Also, glacial milk - ice cold water carrying fine silt from glacier grinding action - flows beneath the rock debris. A misstep can mean stepping in the cold water.
Then in the steep part of the glacier using ropes, ice axes and crampons for safety, some of the crevasses were wider and more difficult to cross in the second year, a sign of glacier recession and melting. The glacier changes from 1976 to 1977 cost about two hours in reaching the Gannett Peak summit and we narrowly escaped problems from the usual Rocky Mountain rough weather in the afternoon.
Then in 1995 other friends of mine traversed the same route on Dinwoody glacier. We compared pictures. The glacier recession between 1996-1997 was dramatic. By this time there were many independent reports, including in newspapers, of the dramatic recession of most of the glaciers in the Wind River Range.
The USNews.com article, dated 9/16/02, "Defrosting the past" by Alex Markels is at:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/020916/misc/16meltdown.htm
[excerpt]
"Decades of unusual warmth in regions from Peru to Alaska trend some think is linked to emissions from cars and industry–have shrunk or thawed many of the world's 70,000 glaciers. As the ice recedes, a treasure-trove of human and animal artifacts is emerging, extraordinarily well preserved after centuries in the deep freeze. The fabrics, wood, bone, and DNA-rich tissue found on the mucky fringes of the ice are revising scientists' understanding of our predecessors' health, habits, and technology, and the prey they pursued."
I am intrigued by news of ancient human and animal remains melting out of receding glaciers around the world - described in USNews.com as "a bounty of a warming world."
My intrigue is in large part because I have personal experience traversing glaciers, including observations of their recession.
In late July of 1976 and 1977, I traversed Dinwoody Glacier in Wyoming's Wind River Range. Dinwoody is a large glacier clinging to the side of Gannett Peak, the highest peak in Wyoming and terminating at the bottom moraine - accumulations of rock debris from the valley walls.
My fellow climbers and I noticed recession of Dinwoody Glacier in those two years. Near the moraine there are large rocks sitting on pedestals of ice. The ice melts slower immediately beneath the rocks until the rocks fall off making new moraine. Traversing the moraine is slow and deceivingly dangerous in part because of delicate footing on the "ice pedestal rocks." So more moraine is easy to notice. Also, glacial milk - ice cold water carrying fine silt from glacier grinding action - flows beneath the rock debris. A misstep can mean stepping in the cold water.
Then in the steep part of the glacier using ropes, ice axes and crampons for safety, some of the crevasses were wider and more difficult to cross in the second year, a sign of glacier recession and melting. The glacier changes from 1976 to 1977 cost about two hours in reaching the Gannett Peak summit and we narrowly escaped problems from the usual Rocky Mountain rough weather in the afternoon.
Then in 1995 other friends of mine traversed the same route on Dinwoody glacier. We compared pictures. The glacier recession between 1996-1997 was dramatic. By this time there were many independent reports, including in newspapers, of the dramatic recession of most of the glaciers in the Wind River Range.
The USNews.com article, dated 9/16/02, "Defrosting the past" by Alex Markels is at:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/020916/misc/16meltdown.htm
[excerpt]
"Decades of unusual warmth in regions from Peru to Alaska trend some think is linked to emissions from cars and industry–have shrunk or thawed many of the world's 70,000 glaciers. As the ice recedes, a treasure-trove of human and animal artifacts is emerging, extraordinarily well preserved after centuries in the deep freeze. The fabrics, wood, bone, and DNA-rich tissue found on the mucky fringes of the ice are revising scientists' understanding of our predecessors' health, habits, and technology, and the prey they pursued."
Decision of the Third Kind
Computer Associates, the vendor of the antivirus software I use, and am pleased with, announced yesterday an upgrade from eTrust EZ Antivirus 5.4 to eTrust EZ Antivirus 6.0. The new version 6.0 is preconfigured to automatically update virus signature files each time you connect to the Internet (but no more than once per day).
Using eTrust EZ Antivirus 5.4, a virus signature file is available generally each working day with e-mail notice of new virus signature files. The virus signature files are then downloaded on manual command of the user.
The upgrade appears worth a try - it seems to offer "an extra ounce of protection." In the words of Computer Associates, The " #1 reason PC users suffer virus attacks; out of date signature lists."
So yesterday I spent many hours, on and off, testing the upgrade - eTrust EZ Antivirus 6.0. Unfortunately, I keep getting frustrated by apparent glitches and/or "operator error."
So I face a decision to upgrade, a decision not to upgrade, or a decision to postpone the decision ("a decision of the third kind.")
For now I make "a decision of a third kind."
Computer Associates, the vendor of the antivirus software I use, and am pleased with, announced yesterday an upgrade from eTrust EZ Antivirus 5.4 to eTrust EZ Antivirus 6.0. The new version 6.0 is preconfigured to automatically update virus signature files each time you connect to the Internet (but no more than once per day).
Using eTrust EZ Antivirus 5.4, a virus signature file is available generally each working day with e-mail notice of new virus signature files. The virus signature files are then downloaded on manual command of the user.
The upgrade appears worth a try - it seems to offer "an extra ounce of protection." In the words of Computer Associates, The " #1 reason PC users suffer virus attacks; out of date signature lists."
So yesterday I spent many hours, on and off, testing the upgrade - eTrust EZ Antivirus 6.0. Unfortunately, I keep getting frustrated by apparent glitches and/or "operator error."
So I face a decision to upgrade, a decision not to upgrade, or a decision to postpone the decision ("a decision of the third kind.")
For now I make "a decision of a third kind."
September 08, 2002
About Camembert Cheese from Normandy - France
Awhile back there was a segment on National Geographic Today [on the National Geographic TV channel] detailing the history including the production methods, current and past, for Camembert Cheese - a soft-ripened cheese made in Normandy in France. Being a non-cosmopolitan "Okie" most likely to be eating an American made cheddar cheese, I had not heard of Camembert Cheese before.
Because of the National Geographic publicity, Camembert cheese and cheeses in general became an e-mail thread between me and Barry and Jose in France. We had a good time going back and forth with messages about cheese for a week or so.
Now to get to the point of this post. On one of my recent trips to the super market in my little town in Oklahoma - By golly, there was some Camembert cheese for sale in the new delicatessen section! I got some - it is "President" brand Camembert in a vacuum-sealed 4.5 ounce tin. And I agree wholeheartedly with the package claim that it has a "rich, delicious flavor."
So I am at least one "Okie" now to be counted as a Camembert "cheese head." :-)
Awhile back there was a segment on National Geographic Today [on the National Geographic TV channel] detailing the history including the production methods, current and past, for Camembert Cheese - a soft-ripened cheese made in Normandy in France. Being a non-cosmopolitan "Okie" most likely to be eating an American made cheddar cheese, I had not heard of Camembert Cheese before.
Because of the National Geographic publicity, Camembert cheese and cheeses in general became an e-mail thread between me and Barry and Jose in France. We had a good time going back and forth with messages about cheese for a week or so.
Now to get to the point of this post. On one of my recent trips to the super market in my little town in Oklahoma - By golly, there was some Camembert cheese for sale in the new delicatessen section! I got some - it is "President" brand Camembert in a vacuum-sealed 4.5 ounce tin. And I agree wholeheartedly with the package claim that it has a "rich, delicious flavor."
So I am at least one "Okie" now to be counted as a Camembert "cheese head." :-)
Jack's Recommended Reading for Today
We all know the times when an article, book, etc., is such interesting reading that it can't be put down.
For me, I ran into this in reading the cover story of today's New York Times Magazine on the Web. The article is a history of the World Trade Center Twin Towers from their conception in the early 1960's until their destruction almost one year ago on 9/11/2001.
I can't add any words to tell how captivating the article is. I will just give the reference link and story description as printed in the Times Magazine.
The Height of Ambition
In the epic story of how the World Trade Towers Rose, their fall was foretold.
By James Glanz and Eric Lipton
"James Glanz and Eric Lipton write the biography of the World Trade Center towers — from their dizzying rise to their horrifying, unforgettable fall — and find that some of the same innovations that allowed such ambitious structures to be built became, years later, factors in their demise."
Go to Article at: <http://www.nytimes.com/magazine/>
[Seven chapters, 32 pages]
Also at the same website:
Interactive Graphic: How the Towers Stood and Fell
Timeline: A History of the World Trade Center (with archival Times coverage)
Video: Rebuilding Ground Zero
Slide Show: Alternative Designs for the Original Towers
We all know the times when an article, book, etc., is such interesting reading that it can't be put down.
For me, I ran into this in reading the cover story of today's New York Times Magazine on the Web. The article is a history of the World Trade Center Twin Towers from their conception in the early 1960's until their destruction almost one year ago on 9/11/2001.
I can't add any words to tell how captivating the article is. I will just give the reference link and story description as printed in the Times Magazine.
The Height of Ambition
In the epic story of how the World Trade Towers Rose, their fall was foretold.
By James Glanz and Eric Lipton
"James Glanz and Eric Lipton write the biography of the World Trade Center towers — from their dizzying rise to their horrifying, unforgettable fall — and find that some of the same innovations that allowed such ambitious structures to be built became, years later, factors in their demise."
Go to Article at: <http://www.nytimes.com/magazine/>
[Seven chapters, 32 pages]
Also at the same website:
Interactive Graphic: How the Towers Stood and Fell
Timeline: A History of the World Trade Center (with archival Times coverage)
Video: Rebuilding Ground Zero
Slide Show: Alternative Designs for the Original Towers
Many thanks to Mary for sending reference to the splendid Website about the history of Labor Day in Canada, the United States and elsewhere.
<http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Creek/9369/project7/labor.html>
This Website is a historian's delight with its thoroughness, its links to other relevant Websites, its quotes, and its giving the Walt Whitman poem "'O Little Town Of Bethlehem, (Pennsylvania)."
I like the quote:
"The Labor Movement; the folks who brought you the weekend."
-- From a bumper sticker, 1995
Being a retired person for nearly nine years, it is still a mild surprise to me that I continue to look forward to and appreciate weekends.
I worked in Union labor industrial complexes my entire career as a chemist and chemical engineer. I feel this benefited me in many ways, including in financial ways and in esprit de corps, even though I was not a member of the Union. Instead, I was a salaried professional employee my entire career.
And I can tell an amusing story for me (now :)) related to the Union when I worked at FMC Corporation's chemical complex at Green River, Wyoming.
I was new in the plant in 1973 and still finding my way around. I had to go to the first aid dispensary (later a full medical clinic with on site doctor) for some reason, probably for a physical.
I opened the door and walked right in to a confidential Union meeting. I got politely, and promptly (!), escorted out. Come to find out the Union office on the lease was next door to the dispensary! After that I was very careful I did not repeat the error.
<http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Creek/9369/project7/labor.html>
This Website is a historian's delight with its thoroughness, its links to other relevant Websites, its quotes, and its giving the Walt Whitman poem "'O Little Town Of Bethlehem, (Pennsylvania)."
I like the quote:
"The Labor Movement; the folks who brought you the weekend."
-- From a bumper sticker, 1995
Being a retired person for nearly nine years, it is still a mild surprise to me that I continue to look forward to and appreciate weekends.
I worked in Union labor industrial complexes my entire career as a chemist and chemical engineer. I feel this benefited me in many ways, including in financial ways and in esprit de corps, even though I was not a member of the Union. Instead, I was a salaried professional employee my entire career.
And I can tell an amusing story for me (now :)) related to the Union when I worked at FMC Corporation's chemical complex at Green River, Wyoming.
I was new in the plant in 1973 and still finding my way around. I had to go to the first aid dispensary (later a full medical clinic with on site doctor) for some reason, probably for a physical.
I opened the door and walked right in to a confidential Union meeting. I got politely, and promptly (!), escorted out. Come to find out the Union office on the lease was next door to the dispensary! After that I was very careful I did not repeat the error.