ATM Re: Answers Anyone?

[Atmj1@aol.com]

Hello to all:

I have 3 questions. 

Sometimes people will send in articles that have been saved in ASCII, which,
of course, is the "universal" computer language. However, over the years my
take on the "universe" has changed.

1) These days, when someone sends me an email in ASCII, each line is ended
with an " = "sign.  And, with time being as tight as it is, it is really
difficult to sit down and go through every line of text in these longer
articles IF there is a way around it. I am using Word 97 - PLEASE advise.

2) The next question involves polishing. I do not get to read each entry into
the List, so if I am asking about that which has already been answered - I
apologize. Here goes: There are, in the lapidary field, polishing machines
that simply do their magic through high-speed vibrations with the "slab" just
riding on a lap and free to spin at will and gently bounce off the sides at
will. 

Have any of you tried such a device for polishing. If so, how did it work?
Obviously, a long stroke from an over-arm machine will polish faster. However,
in this lapidary concept, the pan could simply be filled with cerium or rouge
and left on its own for hours if need be. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

3) Most of us recognize the SCT is a compromise optical system. However, when
we consider what the design is capable of doing, it would seem that much of
the problems associated with SCT (barring the relatively large central
obstruction), is due more to mass production techniques than to flaws in the
design. 

In the future, I would like to run a piece on the often maligned SCT and I
would like to see some attaboy stories from SCT users. The invitation is open
to all those who have a particular disdain for the instrument as well.

Finally: Just a note to let you know that Dick Suiter has produced an article
on knife edge testing that should be of interest to all. Though in the same
area of interest, It will be considerably different from the article just
offered by Dave Armstrong of the Boeing Employees Astronomical Society. 

Anyway, thanks to all for your help.

Kindest Regards,

Bill Cook, editor / publisher, Amateur Telescope Making Journal