sign that we are on the verge of a new dark age

Park Service Can't Give Official Age Of Grand Canyon For Fear Of Offending Creationists...

Due to pressure from Bush Administration officials, the National Park Service is not permitted to give an official age for the Grand Canyon. Additionally, a book claiming the Grand Canyon was created by Noah's flood is for sale at the National Park's bookstore.

The sale of Grand Canyon: A Different View was scheduled for review over three years ago, but no such review has been schedule or even requested. The creationist book was the only item approved for sale in 2003 (22 other items were rejected).

Surfin': It's Time!

The end of the year installment of Surfin' is about online time and date tools that can add to your virtual toolbox. You can read it here, then come back here to comment on it.

MacLoggerDX 4.2.8 released

This just in from Dog Park Software that version 4.2.8 of  MacLoggerDX has been released and can be downloaded from http://dogparksoftware.com/MacLoggerDX.html

New in version 4.2.8:

* Fix for DirecWay proxy QRZ Online QSL jpegs
* Better parsing of QRZ Online QSL JPEG's.
* Open Port retry limit.
* Added Band Decoder support for FT-2000 etc.
* Added Ten-Tec RX350 Driver.
* Added 56,000 baud for Ten-Tec Orion II

Morse Code and the New York Times

Laura Rudin, KB2VDV, wrote to me that yesterday's New York Times had an interesting article about the demise of Morse Code as an Amateur Radio license requirement. The article is a good read.

free space book

Astronomy was my first scientific interest. As a kid, I had a blast with a inexpensive no-name refractor telescope that my folks bought me for Christmas many years ago.

After I saw everything I could see with that telescope, I bugged my folks for an upgrade and eventually they bought me a less inexpensive no-name refractor, which I still own and use today.

Today, slashdot had a story titled "A Free Guide to Naked-Eye Astronomy."

Tammy Plotner, president of Warren Rupp Observatory, writes "Are you looking for all the best of what's up in the night sky for the year 2007? Then be my guest and download my free e.book — '365 Days of SkyWatching'! (Brought to you courtesy of The Universe Today.) Each day is specifically geared to give you the best of what can be seen with the unaided eye, binoculars, and small telescopes and even has challenge objects for seasoned observers. It's beautifully illustrated and contains many special features, such as anotated lunar maps. Please feel free to pass it along to anyone in the astronomy community and enjoy!"

I downloaded the book and after perusing it, I recommend it highly.

Surfin' Hammin', But No Truckin'

Your editor sort of gets into the holiday spirit with this week's installment of Surfin' entitled "Hammin', But No Truckin'." You can read it here and comment on it back here.

Surfin': His Permanent Record

Read Surfin': His Permanent Record to find out about the blog that your Surfin' editor reads every day, then leave your comments, if any, here.

Surfin': 'Tis the Season to Wax Nostalgic

Remember your first Novice contact, QSL card, DX, etc.? This week's installment of Surfin' visits a web site where hams are encouraged to get nostalgic about the good ol' Novice days.

After you read Surfin', you can leave your comments here.

Surfin' Still Flyin'

Surfin' is Still Flyin' this week with another installment devoted to Amateur Radio in the air. Read all about over here and post your comments back here.