Man, I'd love to work at Mauna Kea.
And I've worked at 12K ft in Indonesia (FMM's 'Grasberg' mine in
Tembagapura) before, so I don't think the altitude would kick my
behind too badly. http://www.aig.asn.au/freeport_mine.htm You
know you're high when there are tropical glaciers are near-by. Want
some real fun? Take a chopper ride at that altitude. (Base camp is
at 9200.)
While the Carstensz glacier isn't the world's only tropical
glacier, it does lay uncontested claim to the highest elevation
(4883m/16020ft) between the Himalayas and the Andes. Note as well
that Mauna Kea is too short to keep a glacier going. If you go up
high enough mountains, anywhere on the planet, it gets cold enough to
allow for glacier formation if there is sufficient precipitation. Of
course, near the tropics you have to climb higher than far up north
or way down south near the poles, where sea-level glaciers are
nothing special. Tropical glaciers in today’s climate require
elevations of at least 4700 meters: anything lower will eventually
melt, like it or not.
This makes sense if we remember the basic rule-of-thumb for altitude-
temperature correlation: one degree Centigrade for every 100 meters
of elevation. This applies to dry air. In Irian’s humid climate, the
rule is somewhat different: 0.6¼ Centigrade for every 100 meters. The
scientific term for this process of cooling (or heating, if you are
headed downhill) of air is called the adiabatic lapse rate. Starting
with the average moist air at 27¼ Centigrade (80F) on the south coast
in Irian, (or Hawaii) we would have to hike up to around 4730 meters
(15420ft) to reach 0¼ Centigrade. At this point, precipitation
collects as snow and ice. This elevation curve which cuts across the
rugged landscape is called the zero degree isotherm. Here is where
precipitation no longer falls as rain but as snow, compacted to ice.
Put in other words, if you get up high enough, even in the tropics,
it’s cold enough to keep glaciers happy.
Still, that was > 10 years ago and I'm > 40 now. Never can tell.
And yes, they're raping the environment, and no, I didn't go back
(even though the money was great.) I did get to build a nice data
network so the mining software could run down at base camp, where it
was *much* easier to keep the computers cool.
This whole thread is.... just so wrong. If you don't like the price
thats offered, say so (or stay silent). But kibitzing from the side
about the Cost of Living in Hawaii? Well, its not really any worse
than Boston, or other parts on the mainland.
Market forces at work, and all that.
Anyway, if you know of any linux/unix hacker jobs at Mauna Kea, I'm
in. Google reveals some sysadmin/netadmin jobs
http://www.gemini.edu/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=10#unix
and a slim number of hacker jobs:
http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/jobs/
(Are there good schools for the kid in Hilo?)
Jim
On Sep 17, 2005, at 4:40 PM, Jim Roby wrote:
Aloha from the Big Island,I would imagine all the good jobs are up
on Mauna Kea,and that is a double edged sword.A buddy of mine
worked for Canada France for quite a few years untill the
constant sea level to 13 thou feet took it's toll on his nasal
'alignment'.The up side is unlimited money and smart folks to work
with.The work is at 13 thou,the living area is at 9 thou and
administrative offices are at sea level.Look closely.
Andrew Maddox wrote:
On Fri, 16 Sep 2005, Vince Hoang wrote:
How about the Big Island? There is a listing for a SAGE IV on the
SAGE jobs list. (I remember you posting to SAGE.)
Yep, I had an offer to be flown out for an in-person interview for
a permanent gig there in Hilo early this year, but we (the fambly)
talked it over seriously, decided we need a little more urban
environment - Oahu (Honolulu area) would be perfect. So I hadda be
honest with the folks and not get a free 4-day trip out to visit
the telescopes, but I felt a lot better about myself not having
taken advantage of 'em. Hopefully I laid in a little good karma.
I know the State of Hawaii is looking for a fulltime Linux
sysadmin. If you are ready to move now, I can pass your resume
along for you.
Nah, not ready right now (unless the newly laid off status goes
too long, then we might have to look at more complex options). W/
family concerns, either next summer of 6 years on would be the
times to move. If it were possible. If anybody wants to take a
look at the resume, though, ping me.
With you being in DC, you might consider working for a military
contracting firm out there and make the big move after you
secured your clearance.
Believe me, brah, I'm workin' that angle! It's tough, though - you
can imagine. Plus, I have this aversion to working for three-
letter-agencies. I'd much rather be a private-sector guy.
Now, back to composing my linux-related post.
Andy!
--
You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't
face reality. Wrong is wrong no matter who does it or who says it.
-Malcolm X
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the
guise of fighting a foreign enemy.
-James Madison
"This so-called ill treatment and torture in detention centers,
stories of which were spread everywhere among the people, and later
by the prisoners who were freed ... were not, as some assumed,
inflicted methodically, but were excesses committed by individual
prison guards, their deputies, and men who laid violent hands on
the detainees."
-Rudolf Hoess, the SS commandant at Auschwitz
The people can always be brought to the bidding of the
leaders...tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the
peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.
-Herman Goerin
There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense
of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other
reason is simply a racket.
-General Smedley Butler,USMC
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