The following post has some serious content, but deteriorates into a well-meaning rant that is meant in good fun. If this makes you nervous... delete now. ______________________________________________________ In my enthusiasm about the new topographic map site "TopoZone" I recently wrote (and have even more recently began to regret having written) the following words: "I doubt you'll be disappointed" Well... I guess I underestimated the deep resourcefulness of the RCSE when it comes to the matter of being disappointed. While there are those that seem to share my appreciation of the staggering breakthrough in information availability that this site represents, it appears that there are at least as many who are, for the time being, impervious to this perspective. I have received several concerned (and deeply disappointed) letters now about issues such as the misplacement of a local golf course and the crushing lack of a remapped version of Mt. StHelens detailing the modified topography, post-sneeze. A few notes of clarification: It may surprise you to find out that I did not draw these maps myself on a napkin (and thereby cannot be held responsible for golf course or volcano-related errors), but that they instead are the product of one of the most exhaustive and accurate mapmaking projects ever undertaken by any organization, private or public, in the history of the world, namely the USGS. Further, you may be disheartened (perhaps even DISAPPOINTED) to learn, that in spite of the grandiose nature of said project, there are some mistakes. That's right... actual errors. In an even more sobering revelation... brace yourselves now, this one's a crusher... you may find upon close inspection, that the creators of these so called 'maps', operating under the humble auspices of the United States Geological Survey have, in fact, not sent out GPS equipped helicopters to pinpoint the location on your local slope where just last Saturday you parted thousands of individual blades of grass in order to relieve yourself between flights, relaying the critical data wirelessly for an instant update to the topozone website. Sadly, instead, it will come to light that some of these maps have not been updated for years. Yes... I did say years. I know it's hard to bear.... But you can make it.... You're strong. In spite of all these devastating facts, one redeeming, (perhaps even encouraging!) tidbit remains: Never before in the history of the world has this much topographic information (most of it astonishingly accurate, accurate beyond the scope of all but the most hyper-funded private and VERY limited mapmaking efforts) been available to virtually anyone, basically free from cost! It is a treasure not to be diminished by its faults! Don't be disappointed, dammit! Appreciate it! A wise one once said that "attempting to force appreciation upon those disinclined or ill-equipped to appreciate is the career of a fool".... but I had to try :) Lift, Scobie in Seattle. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[RCSE] Scobie underestimates the RCSE re: Maps
Scobie Puchtler or Sarah Felstiner Thu, 6 Jan 2000 00:20:31 -0800