OpenOffice a free suite of office software, death of homebrew, email security threat, early displays, updates to the Radio Telescope page - 45-860MHz Radio receiver based on UV916-tuner - NASA's RADIO JOVE - Planetary Radio Astronomy for Schools, What's New at Howstuffworks - How Magnetic RAM Will Work, How Circuit Breakers Work, How Solar Yard Lights Work, How Red-light Cameras Work, How Video Game Systems Work, SPRAT CD version 2, Club News, humour and inspiration - 'Baby Turtle', 'Zen Master', 'University of Arkansas Engineering Exam' and so much more...

www.electronics-tutorials.com





LAST MODIFIED:

NEWSLETTER FOR MID MAY, 2002



Hello Folks,

A dilemma facing any newsletter or even a news group is that discussions often become narrower in focus as they progress. They appeal to fewer people, but for those interested, the level of interest can be more intense than ever.

So how does one maintain a workable balance without offending either the general audience, which is less interested, or the specialist audience, which is more interested than ever?

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Newsletter Content

OpenOffice!

What's New? - from Dieter (DIZ) Gentzow - W8DIZ.

Every once in a while I find a real gem; just wanted to share the info.

This thing ROCKS!!! If you want a FREE software package that does what Microsoft's Office does, but is ULTRA clean, installs clean, imports and exports Microsoft Word and Excel, has tools for GIF and JPG and HTML, and much more, check it out.

The downloaded file was about 50 Meg, a lot less than u$. Oh, and this thing runs on Windows, and Linux. Did I mention Spell Checker, Thesausus.....?

[Ian's comments] - Owing to the extremely large size, I elected to buy mine on CD for the modest cost of about $US 10.00 (including tax, packaging and postage). Internet downloading would have taken me hours on dialup. I bought mine locally in Australia and there seem to be many sites world wide to buy the CD.

My CD arrived and comprised five files:

Ooo_inst.pdf - 509 kB. The OpenOffice.org 1.0 Setup Guide.
Ooo_font.pdf - 510 kB. Font problem trouble shooting.
Ooo_1_0_.zip - 48.9 mB
Ooo_1000.zip - 158 mB
Ooo_1001.zip - 104 mB

According to The OpenOffice.org 1.0 Setup Guide:

General System Requirements
� 250 MB available hard-disk space
� Graphics capabilities of at least 800 x 600 resolution and 256 colors

Special System Requirements for Windows
� Windows 95 or higher. For the support of Asian languages,Windows 98 or higher is required.(Windows 2000 is recommended)
� PC with Pentium or compatible processor
� 64 MB RAM

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2002 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.

This product has been created with contributions from the OpenOffice.org community, of which Sun Microsystem Inc. is the founding member. OpenOffice.org acknowledges all community members, especially those mentioned at http://www.openoffice.org/welcome/credits.html.

This is FREE Open Source

Click here for OpenOffice.

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=OpenOffice!

DEATH OF HOMEBREW

For those people who may not know, "Homebrew" is DIY construction of equipment etc.

Back in April we had some discussion about the "Death of Homebrew" on the "Glowbugs List". This list essentially deals with valve operated equipment.

I was reminded of my original post today and decided it might well be interesting enough to convert it to a web page. Then again maybe not, you be the judge.

See:
Death of Homebrew

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Death of Homebrew

AN EXCELLENT ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE

- entirely non-profit.

Have you invested $US 20.00 in the most excellent QRP-Quarterly magazine yet - cheaper if you live in the USA?

Visit QRP Amateur Radio Club, International - special page for you alone:

Welcome friends from Ian Purdie http://america.net/~w4qo/purdie.html

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=QARCI

EMAIL SECURITY THREAT

Here's the threat to owners of newsletters and news groups.

http://www.contentbiz.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2016

Here's the story from Symantic:
Removal tool, Symantec has provided a tool to remove infections of all known variants of W32.Klez and W32.ElKern. If your computer is detected as infected with W32.Klez.gen@mm, download and run the tool. In most cases, the tool will be able to remove the infection. http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

CONTRIBUTE TO ELECTRONICS TUTORIALS

Get your Club Project off the ground! Spread the word...

All I require is a plain vanilla text file (your-file.txt) of your written copy and, gif or jpg files of your schematics and photographs. Don't worry if you think your writing isn't terribly brilliant, that's what I'm for. Most times I need to edit work either for space, clarity or simply making it search engine friendly. Click here for further information.

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Contribute an Article!

EARLY DISPLAYS

"Like every readout that preceded it, the liquid-crystal display had some severe drawbacks. The earliest digital displays were very crude, but when engineers wanted information as a number, as opposed to a needle position on a scale, they had to devise some way to display numeric digits. One of the earliest instrument displays, the columnar display, often called the thermometer readout, had columns of 10 holes punched in a front panel with a panel lamp behind each hole..."

Liquid-crystal display: too impractical

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mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Liquid-crystal display: too impractical

UPDATES TO RADIO TELESCOPE PAGE

From my old site, I have posted some addendums to this very popular page.

[A] 45-860MHz Radio receiver based on UV916-tuner

Just to give you some ideas to go on with. This site says:
"This receiver use a TV-tuner, a simple radio-circuit and a interface to a computer. The computer control (set) the receiving frequency from 45-860MHz The purpose of this project is to learn about tuners, it's a pre-project for my Spectrum analyzer project. The UV916 or UV918 tuner is easy to find in broken TV or VCR's".

[B] NASA's RADIO JOVE - Planetary Radio Astronomy for Schools

"Here in the Observatory's Electronics Lab you can learn about constructing receivers, antennas, and other useful equipment for Radio Jove's solar system radio astronomy observations".

Radio Telescope Page

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Radio Telescope Page

WHAT'S NEW AT HOWSTUFFWORKS

How Magnetic RAM Will Work

Magnetic RAM could begin to replace both dynamic RAM and Flash memory as soon as 2004. Find out all about MRAM and why it beats out current memory technology.

How Magnetic RAM Will Work

How Circuit Breakers Work

A circuit breaker is critical to any home wiring system. Without it, the risk of fire would skyrocket. Learn how a circuit breaker keeps your home's electricity in check.

How Circuit Breakers Work

How Solar Yard Lights Work

If you've ever thought about lighting your yard or walkway, solar is the easiest way to go -- no wires! Learn how solar yard lights gather power during the day so they light up at night.

How Solar Yard Lights Work

How Red-light Cameras Work

The light turns red. You're alone at the intersection. There's not another car in sight. Do you run it? Read this before you answer.

How Red-light Cameras Work

How Video Game Systems Work

Video game consoles are complex computer systems specialized for game playing, and they can do some incredible things. Learn about game consoles from the inside out.

How Video Game Systems Work

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=HSW

 

ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs 2002
New! for 2002 - ARRL
Short-Range Wireless Communication
Fundamentals of RF System Design (With CD-ROM)
Basic Electronics
Bureau Of Naval Personnel U S. Navy
another popular seller
RF Circuit Design
Chris Bowick

UK Flag   Amazon - U.K.   Flag of France   Amazon - France   Flag of Germany   Amazon - Germany   Flag of Japan   Amazon - Japan

Flag of Australia   Book Shop - Australia

SPRAT CD version 2

From Graham Firth Further to my mail of a couple of days ago on the G-QRP list, I can now announce that I have copies of the latest SPRAT CD - issues 1 to 109.

The price is GBP10 post free to members in the UK.

Members in Europe should get their copy from Funk Amateur as before.

Members in North America will be able to get copies from Kanga US (N8ET) shortly (George is taking copies over to Dayton & will leave some with Bill. (If you are really desperate, then you can order from me!!!)

Members anywhere else can get them from me - GBP11.00 including post

I can accept sterling cheques, credit cards or cash (GBP & US$ only) Credit card info can be sent to me split over my 2 totally separate ISPs -
g3mfj@gqrp.com
g3mfj@gqrp.co.uk

If you don't trust e-mails, then snail mail to:

G-QRP Sales
13 Wynmore Drive
Bramhope
Leeds LS16 9DQ
UK

This version is not protected like the last one, it can be used either with the CD in the PC, or, you can copy the contents (~270MB) into a suitable place & then install from there - then you don't need the CD again (well, until you do a re-install!)

72/3
G3MFJ/W3MFJ

CLUB NEWS

GB2WSM the club station of the Windermere Steamboat Museum ARS will be on the air on Saturday 18th June 2002 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Museum. Come and join on air or in the flesh.

Location details - Windermere Steamboat Museum

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=CLUB NEWS

HUMOUR AND INSPIRATION

(by ever popular demand) -

BABY TURTLE

A baby turtle was standing at the bottom of a large tree and with a deep sigh, started to climb. About an hour later, he reached a very high branch and walked along to the end. He turned and spread all four flippers and launched himself off the branch.

On landing at the bottom in a pile of soft, dead leaves, he shook himself off, walked back to the bottom of the tree and with a sigh started to climb.

About an hour later, he again reached the very high branch, walked along, turned, spread his flippers and flung himself off the branch. Again, he landed on the bottom, shook himself off, went to the bottom of the tree, sighed and started climbing.

Watching these proceedings from the end of the branch were two little birds.

Mummy bird turned to Daddy bird and said, "Don't you think it's time we told him he was adopted?"

Responsible party? - Chuck, AA8VS

*AND* - from the "groan" department...

Zen Master

The Zen master steps up to the hot dog cart and says, "Make me one with everything."

The hot dog vendor fixes a hot dog and hands it to the Zen master, who pays with a $20 bill.

The hot dog vendor puts the bill in the cash drawer and closes the drawer.

"Where's my change?" asks the Zen master.

The hot dog vendor responds: "Change must come from within."

Responsible party? - Karl

University of Arkansas Engineering Exam

1. Calculate the smallest limb diameter on a persimmon tree that will support a 10 pound possum.

2. Which of the following cars will rust out the quickest when placed on blocks in your front yard? 66 Ford Fairlane, 69 Chevrolet Chevelle, 64 Pontiac GTO

3. If your uncle builds a still that operates at a capacity of 20 gallons of shine per hour, how many car radiators are necessary to condense the product?

4. A pulpwood cutter has a chain saw that operates at 2700 rpm. The density of the pine trees in a plot to be harvested is 470 per acre. The plot is 2.3 acres in size. The average tree diameter is 14 inches. How many Budweiser Tallboys will it take to cut the trees?

5. If every old refrigerator in the state vented a charge of R-12 simultaneously, what would be the decrease in the ozone layer?

6. A front porch is constructed of 2x8 pine on 24-inch centers with a field rock foundation. The span is 8 feet and the porch length is 16 feet. The porch floor is 1 inch rough sawn pine. When the porch collapses, how many hound dogs will be killed?

7. A man owns an Arkansas house and 3.7 acres of land in a hollow with an average slope of 15%. The man has 5 children. Can each of the children place a mobile home on the man's land?

8. A 2-ton pulpwood truck is overloaded and proceeding 900 yards down a steep grade on a secondary road at 45 mph. The brakes fail. Given the average traffic loading of secondary roads, what are the chances that it will strike a vehicle that has a muffler?

9. A coal mine operates a NFPA Class 1, Division 2 Hazardous Area. The mine employs 120 miners per shift. A gas warning is issued at the beginning of 3rd shift. How many cartons of unfiltered Camels will be smoked during the shift?

10. At a reduction in gene pool variability rate of 7.5% per generation, how long will it take a town that has been bypassed by the interstate to breed a country-western singer?

Responsible party? - Chuck, AA8VS

- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Jokes - Mid May, 2002

 

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  That's all folks

72/73's and oink

Ian Purdie Budgewoi N.S.W. Australia - Co-ords S33º14', E151º34'
VK2TIP "I'll give ya the TIP mate" QRP-L #1978. SOC #171 FP#91
URL - http://www.electronics- tutorials.com/
URL - http://my.integritynet.com.au/purdic/

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The author Ian C. Purdie, VK2TIP of www.electronics-tutorials.com asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this web site and all contents herein. Copyright © 2000 - 2001 - 2002, all rights reserved. See copying and links.

These electronic tutorials are provided for individual private use and the author assumes no liability whatsoever for the application, use, misuse, of any of these projects or electronics tutorials that may result in the direct or indirect damage or loss that comes from these projects or tutorials. All materials are provided for free private and public use.

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Updated 18th May, 2002

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