Re[2]: ATM's demise

[Dwight Elvey <elvey@hal.com>]

Hi
 I'm new, my interest in astronomy has increased in resent
years and the desire to build and understand what is
involved has increased. I like to know how things work.
Some see ATM as a means to getting a cheap telescope
but in reality, the current market is producing good
telescopes at a much cheaper price relative to inflation
than it ever has. There are some that build telescopes
because they like to work with their hands. There are
also those that are looking for the best telescope
for their particular purpose.
 The thing that is good is that now, one can find out
about things much faster than before. The net has
made a difference for me. Even though I belonged to
a local astronomy club, it was through the net that
I've found information and places related to ATM.
With just a book, I'd still not have started my own
telescope project. It was through the net that I
learned about the Chabot TM work shop. Going there
and seeing first hand what was involved made a big
difference.
 I think, like most things, advertising is the most
critical thing. I believe there are probably 100
want to be ATMer's out there for every ATMer. They
don't know where to start or who to talk to. I was
lucky in that I looked in the right place. Many think
that magazines like S&T will lead them to the right
place but never see enough ATM related information
to get started. The net is making a big difference there.
I never realized how much ATM activity there was until
I started seeing what others had done. I would suspect
that many old time ATMer today started from the articles
in Scientific American. Where are such articles today?
 The problems I see for the future are related to all
the gadgets that we connect with telescopes now days.
Things like digital setting circles, CCD cameras and
star plotting programs are becoming too complex for
the beginner to get a full grasp of. Fully understanding
these can take years of study. Most of the newer generation
tend to treat things like magic black boxes. Most of
the manufactures like it that way. I think it is more
important to keep the field simpler. I'll admit that
I have a collection of these gadgets but I find I have
a hard time convincing new people that astronomy can
be enjoyed without the extra stuff.
 No, ATM isn't dead but it is changing.
Better stop now, to much babbling.
Dwight