|
fun
7 |
jane
dot-dash-dash-dot-dash-dot hotmail.com
The 160 year-old method of communicating by dots and dashes has been
updated to include the @ symbol.
“The new sign is the first in at least several decades, and possibly
much longer. Among ITU officials and Morse code aficionados, no one
could remember any other addition.”
—
“The change will allow ham radio operators to exchange e-mails
more easily. That's because -- in an irony of the digital age -- they
often use Morse to initiate conversations over the Internet.”
the web address for this article is
https://www.abelard.org/news/fun7.htm#fun200204 |
20.02.2004 |
advertising
disclaimer
advertising
disclaimer
advertising
disclaimer |
| new
trans-continental railway, and the ghan, arrives—after
97 years
Some
history:
“The first suggestion of a transcontinental railway between
Adelaide and the tropical north came from a Melbourne businessman,
J. Roberston in 1858”
—
“When the Commonwealth Government took control in 1926 it
extended the line from Oodnadatta to Alice Springs and from Pine
Creek to Birdum. Both places were reached during 1929.
—
“ The thousand or so kilometres between Birdum and Alice Springs
were never completed.”
—
“When the relocation of the line via Tarcoola was completed
the continuation of the line from the Alice to Darwin was considered
as 'ultimately inevitable' and became the subject of a government
sponsored feasibility study. Seventeen years later 'the Holy Grail'
as many people began to call it, was seen as South Australia's lifeline
to future prosperity.”
On 4th February 2004, the first passenger train on the completed
route was the “longest passenger train ever assembled in Australia”,
made up of consisted of 43 carriages. The fare-paying passengers
paid premium fares for this inaugural journey: A$12,000 ($9,100)
for a sleeping berth, as opposed to about A$1390
standard fare. |
|
| |
“ The extension of The Ghan to Darwin will further enhance what
is already considered one of the world's great train journeys. The 47
hour, 2979km transcontinental journey will feature off train touring
options at Alice Springs and Katherine Gorge at modest extra cost. ”
The Ghan train is named after the Afghan camel drivers
who helped open up the Australian outback in the 19th century. The camels
are now generally feral; with substantial numbers in the outback, the
camel being well suited to this environment of sand and heat.
the web address for this article is
https://www.abelard.org/news/fun7.htm#fun070204 |
07.02.2004 |
| what a
haircut!
Moved to the France zone.
the web address for this article is
https://www.abelard.org/news/fun7.htm#fun130104 |
updated
17.01.2004 |
| how
long is a snake? or can you trust the press?
- CNN
headline: “Official: World's largest snake
in Indonesia”
JAKARTA, Indonesia; December 29, 2003:
- “ Local government official Rachmat said the reticulated python
measured 49 feet (14.85 meters) and weighed in at 985 pounds (447 kilograms
).”
[Orginally reported by Associated
Press, then spread worldwide by press and other media.]
- Ten
days later –
INDONESIA: January 8, 2004:
- “[...] a photographer working for Reuters returned to the Curugsewu
park in the small central Java town of Kendal on Wednesday with a measuring
tape. The snake's true length -- around 6.5 metres.
“ "I have no idea why the snake has shrunk," said
one keeper when asked about the discrepancy, as the snake lounged
on a tree branch inside its cage.”
- I have no idea why anyone believes reporters.
the web address for this article is
https://www.abelard.org/news/fun7.htm#fun080104 |
updated
09.01.2004 |
pretty
picture of parrots – well, macaws actually
the web address for this article is
https://www.abelard.org/news/fun7.htm#fun0601043 |
06.01.2004 |
|
twin
towers replacement planned as world tallest
“Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the tower - which planners said
would be the world's tallest - would "dramatically reclaim a part
of the New York City skyline that was lost on 9/11.”
Various images can be accessed here.
I quite like
this image.
The New York rebuilding site is here.
It is more political than architectural.
Related material
modern
architectural art for the wtc
the web address for this article is
https://www.abelard.org/news/fun7.htm#fun211203
|
21.12.2003
Related material
modern
architectural art for the wtc |
topic archives: fun
