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Hi everyone,
A problem that I come across often is that I define color and font properties repeatedly across many elements in CSS.
For example, if I have 3 divs, I would find myself defining font property for elements inside the 3 divs individually.
There is obviously a best practice I am not aware of.
Thanks for any ideas!
You can use CSS more efficiently than that. You can do things like:
.div1 p, .div2 p, .div3 p, .div1 h1 {color: #222;}
Perhaps give a more specific example of the HTML you are trying to style.
Some people like to create typography classes (or themes) that carry the relevant font and colour information only and then just apply the class as required.
This can cut down on repeating css properties but does mean that extra classes have to be added to the html instead which is not always a good thing.
I don't really like that method as it splits styles up and I find that hard to manage. I like all my rules in one place. However some people find it useful especially if you keep changing color themes as all the typography is in one place.
I usually group the rules together as Ralph suggests to cut down on code.
Like Paul, I haven't really been convinced by the 'object oriented CSS' approach, but anyway, here's an interesting example of it that I stumbled on recently:
Meet Object Oriented Css Cut The Fat Out Of Code With This Smart Time Savin | Articles | Meta Q
This thread is similar to this one: http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/css-53/object-oriented-css-uses-learning-newbie-740553.html, and in there, all the details have been already talked up and down.
The simple fact is that OOCSS is a concept, it's not a spec, a framework or something to rely on.
And that concept is born from the fact that facebook has a very specific type of content, with a small repetive mark up structure in its midst.
Where they go false in the statement that "OOCSS cuts code down" is when they don't say: "it is specifically for sites having a certain type of mark up repeating over and over". It will "cut" the code down for a specific type of sites. And it's not really cutting, it's structuring. One thing facebook didn't manage to do from the beginning. And they call the necessary correction "improvement": OOCSS. Yeah, right! facebook, we know you had crappy code to begin with, no reson to be ashamed now!
That, and the fact that, it's not "OOCSS" it's more like .class. But, the Nicole person starting all this, find it a way to make it sell. She said: "OOCSS, it's new and bright and shinny". But those who know can tell that a simple class would do the job. In fact, using classes is the right way to go, and you can call them whatever you like: mediaObject, commentWithImage, moneyMaker. :lol:
She hoped that by throwing CSS Layout Grids into play, we would all forget about the basics of HTML structuring and CSS classes, and we would call an old-as-granny thing like she wants: OOCSS, "HTML object". And she's throwing at us the worst examples she could find on web to make us believe that's the way. It's a simple techniques: first say a truth, then bring in a twisted lie, and by asociation, make the lie sound like a truth.
What she doesn't tell you, is that by adopting "OOCSS", you adopt a strange, unexisting form of "proprietary" CSS and HTML, that will close up on you, much like using tables for layout closed up on many. What's she's preaching it's not flexibility, it's productivity, in a wrong way. Since productivity it's not a bad thing at all, when done properly.
So, to answer haopei, the best I can, since I have no proposed mark up: you do it like this:

haopei is smart not to believe in OOCSS

haopei is smart not to believe in CSS grids

haopei is smart not to believe in anything that's not documented or well thought up
.haopei p {
/* ways to show haopei is smart ;) */
I've tried a couple of work methods to achive pseudo-OOCSS, such as splitting layout, type, tables, forms, etc. into their own stylesheets, using "helper" classes to store commonly used properties. And both of these lead to clutter, either on the css files, with massive code duplication or on the markup side with tons of classes being applied to elements.
I now simply write my code and every now and then i "compile" repeated stuff with multiple selectors to reduce the amount of code.
I prefer this TLA approach to CSS:
.bgr {background-color:#f00} .bgg {background-color:#090} .bgb {background-color:#9ff}
.fll {float:left} .flr {float:right}
.fs2 {font-size:2em} .fs3 {font-size:3em}
.fwb {font-weight:700}
.mga {margin:auto}
.poa {position:absolute}
.w32 {width:32%} .w66 {width:66%} .w88 {widh:88%}
# Usage:

I think where this concept really shines is when dealing with redundant components. For example, I have been building a real estate admin system that involves repeating many of the same components within different contexts. Some examples of those components are: data entry form, data grid, search filter and tabbed menu. The data entry component is a form, data grid form with table in it and search filter is a form. Therefore, using a mere "form" selector is not enough to distinguish between the different contexts which the form is used. The other option would to do it based on page detection. However, that results in repeating a a bunch of different rules like: ".page-agents form,page-listings form, etc".
Instead the concept that embodies oocss is used by merely applying a class to the root level container of the component. So with my previous examples data grid would be .data-grid, data entry form would be .data-entry and the search filter would be .data-filter. From there I can easily target any child element of said component and provide a base theme/styles for each. I also apply an additional class to each that supplies the context which the component is being used. In the case of a real estate system those entities being: office, agent and listing to name the major ones. Therefore, to target the data entry form for an agent because it needs slightly different styles is merely: '.data-entry.agent'.
I tend to use this system though only when dealing with projects that data management is the purpose of the site such as; admin system or application. I tend to find that is is those types of projects where the the oocss approach is most applicable because chances are there are many of the same elements being used in a different context even though they have very similar styling throughout.
Either way the approach I use is semantic in terms of distinguishing the context of which a component is being used whether it be a data-grid, data entry form or search filter.
That isn't oocss. It is unsemantic and mixing presentation w/ structure. There is a really fine line in that what your doing is really no different than applying classes like red, blue, font-size-12, etc. The only difference is your grouping styles together. However, the class names in no way express the semantic nature of structure of the document just how it looks. The difference between that and using classes as I have explained two major points. One point being the class names add application level meaning. The second being when all style for a x entity needs to be changed only the CSS needs to be changed. In contrast with your system the HTML would need to modified and depending the severity it would need to be changed in many places. Either that or nullify the meaning of red to actually be blue (that would be the quickest but completely wrong way).
Spot on.
oocss is a concept, it is not a framework. It is a way to take styling similar elements beyond page detection based on applying application level meaning expressed by classes to common visual concepts used to deliver content and/or functionality to the end user. Getting it right involves identification of those common concepts which can be difficult at times since they will not always be the same. However, when done correctly the concept itself eliminates redundant code and provides an accelerated means of making global style changes with high level of granular control.
The concept is really as simple as this:
<form class="data-entry">
No none semantic mark-up or anything just applying meaning considering the form element itself does not provide enough information to separate it from all the other "types" of forms that may be getting used on a site. That is really all it is or all I have ever seen it as. To go a step further and create a framework based on commonly used components isn't the core idea. That is essentially what bootstrap is – the main one that comes to mind.
When there is absolutely no semantic relationship between styling the elements similar practice what ralph.m suggested. Generally those types of styles will be placed in a CSS file establishing the overall look and feel. Where as, styles that affect specific cases/pages will go else where.
Off Topic:
Just noticed this thread is over 6 months old...
I unintentionally resurrected this thread.
My post was in answer to a a thread posted today.
Now the site structure seems to be changing and I cannot find the post I was trying to answer.
The point I was trying to make was to reduce the style-sheet.css file size by replacing duplicate fixed elements by a single TLA class.
For example count the number of times background-color: is duplicated in the style sheet.
That new thread is here:
Perhaps the conversation should continue there.


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Many businesses are offering deals and freebees in honor of the day that only comes once every four years.
Wednesday, anyone celebrating a Leap Day birthday will get free admission at the Jacksonville Zoo.
Zaxby's is holding what it calls "Repeat Day." If you eat at Zaxby's Wednesday, be sure to keep your receipt. Then, any time in the month of March you can go back to the same restaurant, present your receipt and get the exact same meal for free. This offer is only valid at the following 4 Zaxby's locations:
1107 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd.
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084
423 N. State Road 19
Palatka, Fla. 32177
12301 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, Fla. 32257
2316 Memorial Drive
Waycross, Ga. 31501
Subway will give you a free cookie with any purchase.
Chick-Fil-A is offering deals, but you have to be a member of their text fan club to get it. The restaurant chain will send members a text tomorrow, letting them know what the freebie is.

subset: commoncrawl


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July's recipe for success
I'm actively trying to lose weight again. Between happiness, winter and my bum hip, I've put on about 20 pounds from last summer. It's harder to do this summer than last. There has been far more entertaining this year, and that is always hard to reconcile.
Tonight, we're doing more entertaining, and it's bleeding HOT! We may set a high temperature record here in Seattle.
I think the three factors together (diet, friends and heat) make the following recipe perfect for this evening. The grilling/cooking can be done early in the day, before things heat up. Top with a few polenta croutons and serve in a big juicy tomato as a bowl, and it's fancy enough, sensible enough and nice and cool!
Iced Grilled Tomato Basil Soup
4 lbs. tomatoes (cored and cut in half)
Olive oil
Sea salt
Black pepper
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup white wine vinegar (or really any light vinegar)
2 Tbs. sugar
2 cups vegetable stock (maybe a little less depending on the tomatoes)
2 lemons, juiced
2 Tbs. good balsamic vinegar
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Rub the tomatoes with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and place on a bbq grill for about 3 minutes per side (you want the skin to color and take in some of the smoke flavor). Do the same with the onion for about 5-10 minutes until nicely browned ( I leave the skin on for a little more char flavor and then remove it when ready to chop, but you can peel it before, if you like).
Rough chop the grilled veggies and put them into a pot with the garlic, vinegar, sugar and 1 cup of the stock. Cook for about an hour on a low simmer, uncovered.
Purée the soup, using as much of that second cup of stock you need to thin the soup to your taste. Cover and chill well. (This is the part I'm doing this morning, before it gets too hot.)
Just before service, add the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and chopped basil. If you're not going to use the soup for a day or so, don't add these last ingredients until just before you eat.
See, that wasn't so hard.
This soup hits on all cylinders as to the criteria we like to use in this monthly blog: It's healthy, easy and ever so tasty.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.


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Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Platinum Series Speaker System - 2.1 Channel, Dual 2" Drivers, 5.25" SubWoofer, 30 Watts TotalItem#: C375-2001 | Model#: CA3602
Currently Out Of Stock!
You May Consider This Alternative
Logitech Z313 Computer Speaker System(77 Reviews)$49.99$45.99
Additional Resources
Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Platinum Series Speakers Product Details
Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Platinum Series Speaker System
Thunderous bass response! That is what you notice right off with this Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Platinum Series Speaker System. It is a 3 piece (2.1) set utilizing an 5.25" woofer with a long throw voice-coil and tuned port to further enhance the response. The new flat panel type satellites with dual 2" super radiators balance the performance for a full audio spectrum response. Pick up the Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Platinum Series Speaker System for great sound at a reasonable price.
What It Is and Why You Need It
- 3 Piece Flat Panel Design Subwoofer & Satellite Speaker System
- Magnetically shielded satellite speakers
- Acoustic balanced wood cabinet subwoofer
- MP3 cradle
A Closer Look
Technical SpecificationsSystem Power Output:
- 30 watts total RMS
- Satellites - 6 watts/ch x 2
- Subwoofer - 18 watts
- 62 watts total system peak power
- Satellites - Dual 2" high efficiency, 4 ohm drivers
- Subwoofer - 5.25" Power Pro Series Driver
- Internal, UL/UCL approved
- Satellites - (H) 8" x (W) 3.0" x (D) 2.75"
- Subwoofer - (H) 10.0" x (W) 7.5" x (D) 7.5"
What's Included
- Two Satellite Speakers
- One Subwoofer
- Wired Remote
- Cable
- MP3 Cradle
- Owner's Guide with connection diagram
Additional Resources: Product Manuals
Related Items
Manufactured by: Cyber Acoustics
Warranty provided by: Cyber Acoustics
UPC No: 646422001753
Mfg Part No: CA3602
Box Size:
( Length:12, Width:12, Depth:10)
Shipping Weight: 7.3500 pound(s)
Click here for full warranty and support information
- Cyber Acoustics logos are registered trademarks of Cyber Acoustics. All others trademarks and copyrights mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.


text:
Ukiah Daily Journal
Robert A. Scaglione has been appointed the county's new air pollution control officer for the Air Quality Management District, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors announced.
Scaglione has been named the acting air pollution control officer in February, after Chris Brown, who formerly headed the district, was put on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation.
"The Board of Supervisors is pleased to appoint Robert A. Scaglione, who has been serving in the capacity of the county's acting air pollution control officer," board chairman 5th District Supervisor Dan Hamburg said in a prepared statement. "Mr. Scaglione has a long history of working successfully wit government agencies, businesses and individuals to preserve the excellent air quality that we enjoy in Mendocino County."
Scaglione brings more than 35 years of experience to the job, including public and private sector work handling a variety of environmental, health and safety compliance functions, according to a press release from the Mendocino County Executive Office. He has been employed with Mendocino County for more than 12 years, serving as a senior air quality specialist since 2008.
Scaglione was the 2008 recipient of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association's Outstanding Inspector Award, the county stated.
"It is an honor and privilege to continue the district's goal of maintaining healthy ambient air quality in Mendocino County in my new capacity," Scaglione said in a prepared statement. "We as a district look forward to working closely with our permit holders and the public, as well as county and state agencies, to provide the assistance and open communications necessary to meet air quality requirements and maintain the quality of life that our community has come to expect."
Prior to his work for Mendocino County, Scaglione was employed by Advanced Manufacturing & Development, Inc. as a environmental, health and safety officer, and worked 19 years for the Masonite Corporation.
Scaglione attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he studied mechanical engineering, and the Milwaukee Technical College, according to the county.


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Posted by Katie smith / 5/04/2011 / 17 Comments / crafting , tutorial
Angry Birds Magnet Tutorial
17 comments:
Hahaha how fun! Love this!ReplyDelete
OH my GOOODNESSS!!! This is so clever! I love it! Eli is going to LOVE it!ReplyDelete
Angry Birds is addictive FOR REALZ. Have you played Words with Friends yet? I'm totally strung out on it, DAMN YOU SMART PHONE. These magnets are fantastic, so fudging cute.ReplyDelete
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [05 May 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, MariaReplyDelete
Haha these are soo cute :)ReplyDelete
So awesome!!ReplyDelete
Those are so fun!ReplyDelete
Where did you get the great clip art?ReplyDelete
Honestly, I dont remember- I just googled "angry birds clip art"ReplyDelete
Hi couls I get a copy of your printable? Either as a printable here or emailed to me? amycocanourReplyDelete
Here's a link to a vector of the birds. I haven't yet found any clip art of the slingshot. Did you make your own building blocks?ReplyDelete
Thanks for the link! and yes, I did make the building blocks. :)ReplyDelete
This is awesome fun! :DReplyDelete
My nephew would go crazy over these! Where did you find the angry bird clip art? I can't seem to find good pictures to use. My email is email@example.com. Thanks!ReplyDelete
Is there a printable to click on? thanksReplyDeleteReplies
Hi, I don't have a printable, but here is a link to some good clipart- http://www.webdesignhot.com/free-vector-graphics/angry-birds-vector/Delete
Hi, I don't have a printable, but here is a link to some good clipart- http://www.webdesignhot.com/free-vector-graphics/angry-birds-vector/ReplyDelete


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Michael Jordan is not known as the most shrewd identifier of NBA-level talent. There is the obvious example of former No.1 overall pick Kwame Brown, but the decision to bring Adam Morrison in to the Charlotte Bobcats via the No. 3 pick in 2006 is a close second in the slip-up category.
Brown is still kicking around the league, claiming to be a mentor to Andrew Bynum and taking verbal jabs from Kobe Bryant. Morrison, who has had an even tougher go of it in the NBA, may be done for good after being cut by the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.
Morrison, along with Coby Karl and Justin Holiday, did not make the Trail Blazers' 15-player roster. Portland coach Terry Stotts said during the team's Media Day that Morrison had a "legitimate shot" at making the team, but the odds were stacked against him, seeing as Portland had 15 players with guaranteed contracts, The Oregonian points out.
Three teams passed on Morrison during the 2012 offseason. Returning to the NBA for the first time since 2010, Morrison had short stays with the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers before joining the Blazers for camp.
Earlier this month, Morrison said this could be the last time he goes through training camp.
"I'm going to finish school and start coaching (if he didn't make the Trail Blazers' roster) … I did the Europe thing and it just wasn't for me," Morrison told CSNNW.com on Oct. 2. "Not saying the (Europe) culture or anything like that, (or) the people, it just wasn't for me. So, yeah, if it doesn't work out, I'm willing to look myself in the mirror and say, 'I gave it a honest shot' and turn the page. Do something else."
Morrison averaged 3.2 points in five preseason games with the Trail Blazers in what could be his last shot. His career numbers are better at 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 161 appearances.
Morrison did average 11.8 points for the Bobcats as a rookie, but he suffered a severe knee injury the next season and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won NBA titles in 2009 and 2010 before being released. The Washington Wizards were the last team to waive Morrison in 2010 before he took two years away from the NBA.
A four-year veteran with the Bobcats and Lakers, Morrison has spent as much time playing overseas as he has in the NBA. He most recently played for Besiktas Milangaz in Turkey, the team that took in Deron Williams during the NBA lockout.
Whether it is fair or not, part of Morrison's narrative will always be that he was picked ahead of players such as Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay, Brandon Roy and Kyle Lowry, all of whom have gone on to have far more significant NBA careers than Morrison. None of those players had quite as much fanfare coming into the NBA, however.
Morrison entered the league fresh off an impressive career at Gonzaga. He dominated in college using size and a soft shooting touch to average 28.1 points per game as a senior. Those skills didn't translate to his professional career, and Morrison said all he can do is accept that fact.
"It's funny, people act like just because it didn't work out, my life is just, horrible. You know what I mean?," Morrison said, according to CSNNW.com. "It's not that bad. OK, it didn't go well, but it's not like I'm destitute, and broke, and homeless. There's a lot of people who have had worse things happen than not making it in a certain career.
"I'm a father, I enjoy other activities. Life's alright."


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Pelfrey looks past rough start against Boston
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Mike Pelfrey shrugged off Thursday's two-inning shellacking at the hands of the Red Sox.
"The best thing I can say about today is that I walked off the mound feeling good," he said after what ranked as his worst performance of the spring. "I walked off feeling strong. I felt like I could have thrown another 30 or 40 pitches."
Last Friday vs. Boston, Pelfrey scattered two hits and fanned five over three shutout innings. On Thursday, he struggled through two innings, allowing five runs on six hits.
"I was all over the place today," Pelfrey admitted. "I didn't make a lot of quality pitches. I fell behind in the count a lot, but you're going to have days like this. I got my work in. Unfortunately, it was two innings instead of four or five."
Pelfrey, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent in December, underwent Tommy John surgery on May 1, 2012. He spent last season as the Mets' No. 4 starter before he was sidelined with a swollen elbow after three starts.
"People bring it up all the time, but I feel like I've never had surgery," Pelfrey said. "I feel great. I think I've been blessed in this whole process."
Jim Hawkins is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Apartments and Rooms Nediljko
NEDILJKO Apartments are situated in Dalmatia in Bibinje, 5 km away from the Zadar. Our apartments and rooms are situated in a quiet area without to much noise and are surrounded by a beautiful view over the sea and islands.
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Apartment Facilities & Policies
- Air Conditioning
- Airport Transfers
- Cable TV
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Hot Showers
- Linen Included
- Parking
- Towels Included
- Utensils
- Wi-Fi
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
You can reach us by plane (Zadar Airport), ferry, train, car....
From the airport, you can travel to our appartments by bus or taxi. Bus rides takes about 30 minutes; taxi will take approximately 15 minutes.
If you arriving with ferry you also have bus Puntamika who rides to main bus station in Zadar, then you go with anather bus for Bibinje, and exit from bus on last station in Bibinje.
If you arriving by train, you can exit in Zadar, and then you go with bus to Bibinje, or you can exit in Bibinje. Also you have taxi on bus station and train station, or ferry port.
We have our own taxi service (company) and we offer our guests taxi transport charged at a discounted rate. Price for a taxi transfer from airport Zadar, ferry port Zadar, bus or train station Zadar to our apartments is reduced to 50.00 HRK per person.
If you book a room or apartment for seven days or longer, the taxi transfer from the airport to our apartment and back will be free of charge.
Google map coordinates are 44.067946, 15.290807.
Located Near
Bibinje is close to the suburban town of Zadar. The area features a long natural beach approximately 2km long which varies from being sandy to rocky, with plenty of shade provided by the pines.
At the end of July or the very beginning of the month of August there is the Folklore and Customs of Zadar event. Bibinjes feast of St. Roko is on 16th August with a concert featuring music and dance in the open with famous singers and free entry. During the season we have at least 1 dramatic play outdoors, and in July and August, we have the fishermens festival.


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Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, visits award-winning group Recruit for Spouses at its Corsham offices today.
Recruit for Spouses is a social enterprise employment agency specifically set up to provide a support network for military spouses looking for work across the country.
It was founded in 2009 by military wife and former journalist Heledd Kendrick and aims to tackle prejudices against military spouses in the workplace.
In November it won the Prime Minister David Cameron's Big Society Award and he praised its "inspirational" work.
Within the first six months 1,200 people registered with the company. It now has 5,000 people on its books and it has helped 450 back into work over the last two years.
Mrs Kendrick said some spouses may not be selected for jobs because employers are aware that they might have to leave the area to travel with the army, navy or air force.
She said: "So many wives and partners go to interviews and so many are told 'can you use a different address?' I couldn't walk into a job centre and claim for job seeker's allowance because they would say I had voluntarily left my last job.
"Job centres provide free training and free support so many of us would use it as a springboard to other things. The biggest thing we need from the government is help to create awareness that there is a problem out there, and it has been a problem for 30 years."


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Making the Right Call
It isn't easy being a sports official, but modest salaries, lots of travel and constant criticism take a backseat to the camaraderie and challenges of the game
Two men walk into a restaurant in Austin, Texas, and notice a football game on the television above the bar. Well, notice may be too strong. What they do is glance up, look at it for a moment as a reflex action and, without any of the details registering, look away.
Football is Randy Christal's profession, and Jon Bible's, too. But it isn't the way they earn their living, and the score of a game is of no more interest to them than week-old lottery numbers. "I watched an entire NFL game yesterday afternoon," Christal says, a measure of pride in his voice, "and I couldn't even tell you which teams were playing. But I do know that Ed Hochuli was the referee."
Christal, who gives management seminars, and Bible, an economics professor and an attorney, are officials. Their sport is college football, though they also umpire college baseball and even worked the foul lines of the American League Championship Series during a 1985 labor dispute. Mostly, they referee football in the Big 12 Conference, spending their autumn weekends shuttling between their Austin homes and places like Stillwater, Oklahoma; Boulder, Colorado; and Lawrence, Kansas, sleeping in motel rooms and eating road food. At the end of the season, they probably couldn't tell you which team had won the conference. But they'll know who had a heck of a year calling pass interference. Officials across the four major American sports, whether they're referees, umpires, linesmen or anything else, live in a parallel universe to ours. They see the same games we see, but with different eyes. They can't root for a team, even in their hearts. They can't fraternize with players, famous or otherwise, and they can't let their emotions show, even when a stadium full of fans is thirsty for their blood.
"There's no doubt we're a different breed," says Bruce Dreckman, a major league umpire. He's sitting in a bar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after working a spring training game, unwinding with three other umpires, a few fans he knows, and a whole lot of local regulars who probably would give him abuse if they knew who he was. "You go around this room," he says, "I bet you wouldn't find one other guy who would say, 'Yeah, I'd go out and do that.'"
Even if they thought they might like it, the boos might swiftly convince them otherwise. Lawyers and used-car salesmen hear the jokes about their careers, politicians know they'll never appeal to much more than half their constituency, but officials have chosen a profession in which getting publicly insulted is part of the job. More than that, it's an American ritual. Minorities are protected by civil rights legislation, while women, homosexuals, religious zealots, the elderly, the handicapped and even the overweight are defended from discrimination by the law. But hating the guy who enforces the rules at our sporting events transcends race, religion and economic status.
Last winter, Dreckman and some friends were listening to a basketball game back home in Iowa, and they heard Iowa State lose by a few points in the final seconds. "The guys started blasting the referees," Dreckman says, incredulous all over again in the retelling. "And I'm saying, 'You can't even see what happened! You're listening on the radio.' It didn't matter. We're the scapegoat. They're always trying to shoot the messenger."
If that isn't bad enough, nearly all the abuse is heaped on officials far from family and loved ones. That's because referees and umpires are nearly always on the road during the season. They're like traveling salesmen who don't get home for nine months at a time. Think of it like a professional athlete who plays half his games on the road, and the other half...on the road. Except for the rare occasion of working in your hometown, an official, a referee or umpire has no home games.
That's what the life has always been for officials, since professional and college sports began. And here's news: it's getting worse. Once upon a time, an ump could blow a call at home plate at Briggs Stadium in Detroit on a summer afternoon, and the 8,000 fans who saw it would be outraged, and that would be it. There was no instant replay on the scoreboard, and usually no television audience. Fans in the stands and even the reporters in the press box might have thought they saw a play a certain way, but they couldn't be sure. So they learned to live with human imperfection as part of the game.
No more. Now every game, in every sport, is seen live across the continent. If you have satellite television and a VCR, you can watch them all, night after night. If an ump blows a call, you can seethe at his incompetence again and again on "SportsCenter." Or you can see it on videotape and study the sequence as if it were the Zapruder film. "These days, the whole world is watching," says Ronnie Nunn, the National Basketball Association's director of officials.
Why does anyone choose such scrutiny for themselves? Most officials earn between $100,000 and $200,000 a year, so they're not getting rich. And it isn't as if officiating is an easy route to the field, the court or the ice. By dint of mathematics alone, getting to the top as an official is more difficult than getting there as an athlete. Major League Baseball has 30 teams of 25 players each, or 750 total. It employs 68 umpires. If players are more common than U.S. representatives, umpires are scarcer than senators.
Christal, who still longs for a call from the National Football League, has never made it, but he did referee the NCAA national championship game in the Fiesta Bowl in 2003. "There are probably a hundred national championship Fiesta Bowl rings around out there," Christal says, flashing the rock on his finger he earned for officiating the game. "There are seven of these." And that's the start of an explanation, right there.
Referee for Life
It begins with Board of Recreation or Pop Warner games umpired or refereed for pocket cash, and goes from there. You're a high school kid, you like sports, maybe play on a few varsity teams. But you aren't getting to the big leagues and you want to stay in the game.
It begins with Board of Recreation or Pop Warner games umpired or refereed for pocket cash, and goes from there. You're a high school kid, you like sports, maybe play on a few varsity teams. But you aren't getting to the big leagues and you want to stay in the game.
"I wasn't a very good athlete," Christal says now, between sips of Merlot in the lobby of an Austin hotel. "I wasn't going to be on television playing sports. I was 22, I enjoyed the crowd, the band, the tradition, and I wanted to be part of it."
Christal, 55, teaches management for a living. He is familiar with the work of David McClelland, who authored the seminal 1988 work Human Motivation, and hypothesized that everyone seeks achievement, affiliation or power. "Power I don't give a flip about," Christal says, "but I really enjoy the affiliation with the other folks involved. And walking out there at 55 years old, in front of 50,000 to 80,000 people. I know that there are a lot of fat cats up there who can buy and sell everybody on the field. But they can't do what I do."
He has made refereeing his lifelong avocation, but he hasn't made it a living. It doesn't pay enough. Even some NFL officials, who earn substantially more, work other jobs and travel to game sites on Saturday mornings. Some years ago, when Christal was working the World League of American Football, he'd fly to Barcelona for the weekend, then work a week teaching at the Texas State Comptroller's Office.
These days, Christal is recognized as one of the finest football referees in the country. Twice in seven years, he has worked the Division I championship game. A career was hardly in his mind the first time he reffed a junior high flag football game while working as a tax examiner, but his competitive instinct kicked in. He found himself wanting to excel, a process that hasn't stopped. "You wonder if you're able to work that next level, and you do, and you survive it," he says. "Pretty soon, you start looking up the road again."
Around the time he moved from high school to college, officiating became the most important thing in Christal's life. "I would have left this job and become a plumber to keep officiating," he says. In the end, he'd sacrifice two marriages. "I've umpired in the Olympic Games and at baseball's World Championships. I've done the Rose Bowl, two national championship football games, eight College World Series. But at what cost?"
Along the way, he met Jon Bible at a Little League tournament. A year younger than Christal, Bible is the nephew of Dana X. Bible, a former University of Texas football coach. Jon was 16, one of Houston's better high school baseball players, when he umpired his first Little League game, back in 1966. "I figured out all you had to do was stand behind the mound, and at the end they handed you $7.50," he says.
Bible played in the Minnesota Twins' minor league system, then headed to law school. He started umpiring college baseball games for fun, made a contact and wound up in the Gulf Coast League. He realized that baseball's constant travel would doom his marriage, so he gave up umpiring for refereeing football, which would keep him home all week.
Christal and Bible became fast friends and the linchpins of a group of umpires and officials known as the Austin mafia. These days, if they don't grade out as the top two Big 12 referees every season, they're not far behind. Following the 2002 season, Bible was first in line for a bowl assignment according to the grades kept by the league office. He chose the conference championship game. Christal was second and ended up at the Fiesta Bowl, which was using a Big 12 crew.
That's how he found himself on the field for one of the most controversial finishes to a college season in memory. With Ohio State in need of a first down deep into overtime against Miami, a pass play ended in an apparent incompletion. It would have handed the Hurricanes the national championship, but several seconds after the play ended, a flag was thrown and a pass interference call made. Given the reprieve, Ohio State scored and eventually won the game.
As the referee, Christal was responsible for the entire officiating crew. But he was also responsible for watching the offensive backfield on the play, which is why he saw nothing more than exactly what he was supposed to. "People always ask me about that pass interference call," he says. "I say, 'The only thing I can tell you is, the quarterback wasn't roughed.' 'Well, weren't you watching it?' 'No, I've got a job to do.' I watch the snap, the right tackle if it's a right-handed quarterback, and then I live and die with the quarterback."
If he sounds prickly, it's because that play underscores how little the public understands his job. They don't know about the 90-minute conference call every Wednesday night during the season, the hours watching other officials on tape, the years of training, or even the three miles Christal runs on most days to stay in shape. "All anyone cared about on the pass interference call was how late the flag came, but if you watch the play on the tape, it was absolutely the correct call," he says. "The man was held three times on the same play. But because Dan Fouts said it wasn't pass interference, everyone buys into it."
Christal and Bible agree that the second-guessing is the most galling part of the job. Everyone who steps into the broadcast booth feels free to pass judgment, and these renowned broadcasters—all former players, not officials—influence the opinions of millions who might not fully understand the rules. "I worked Texas Tech and Texas [last fall], and a lot of people at our country club were at the game or saw it on TV," Bible says. "I can't tell you how many of them told me, 'Hey, you did a great job the other night.' Well, with all due respect, how the hell would they know?"
When Bible was one of a handful of officials offered jobs by the NFL for the 1994 season, he was thrilled. "I thought, 'This is the ultimate, this is the pinnacle, this is fantastic," says Bible, who had been working in the Southwest Conference at the time. He lasted three years, three of the worst of his life. He'd been refereeing for decades, as opposed to working as a line judge, a back judge or an umpire, but like all newly hired NFL officials, he started in the league in the defensive backfield, watching receivers running at him—a view he hadn't seen in years. He graded out poorly on the weekly reviews that each officiating crew is given. After that, he was afraid to make a mistake.
Getting fired was a relief. He returned to his law practice, caught on with the Big 12, and regained his life. Christal saw it all happen. He was sad to see his friend fail, but happy to have him back in the college ranks.
Having lived through Bible's NFL experience, Christal is the wiser for it. He knows now how special the bond between a referee and his crew is in a conference like the Big 12. He only earns about $875 a week (augmented by a $300 per diem, and airfare) for 10 weeks, as opposed to the $7,000 to $8,000 a week for 16 weeks that an NFL referee makes, but he didn't take the job to get rich, or even to watch college football. "I don't love the sport," he says flatly. "I don't even like it. What I love is my crew. They're family. I can't wait to get on a plane and fly to Columbia, Missouri, this weekend. What I do is fun. I don't know of anyone in the NFL—no one, absolutely no one—who says it's fun."
And yet, no less than any of the players on the field, Christal is a competitor. As content as he is in the Big 12, as rotten as his best friend's experience was in the NFL, he can't stand not knowing if he would have been good enough. So when asked if he would consider an NFL offer if given the chance, he doesn't hesitate.
He has spent his life reaching for the next rung on the ladder, and the NFL is at the top. "It's all about being the best," he says. "I'd like to know if I could do it. I'd work the NFL this Sunday, if I could."
The Art of the Whistle
Shaquille O'Neal takes a pass inside the foul lane and Boston's Michael Stewart knows what he must do. He wraps the Lakers center in the kind of hug that movies end with. A moment passes and then O'Neal suddenly swings an elbow in an effort to get free.
Shaquille O'Neal takes a pass inside the foul lane and Boston's Michael Stewart knows what he must do. He wraps the Lakers center in the kind of hug that movies end with. A moment passes and then O'Neal suddenly swings an elbow in an effort to get free.
Watching from the Staples Center stands, Ronnie Nunn leans forward in his seat. "He should get a technical for that," the NBA's director says to himself, watching referee Violet Palmer step in to sort out the mess. Moments later, Palmer turns toward the scorer's table and makes the T sign for a technical foul. Nunn is pleased. "Attagirl," he shouts, more to himself than to the NBA's only female official. "It was the right call, and a gutsy call."
Nunn has flown to Los Angeles from New York for the unique opportunity of seeing two officiating crews in one day. Earlier, the Clippers played the Raptors in the same arena with a three-man crew headed by veteran referee Bernie Fryer. Now the Lakers and Celtics are playing with Jack Nies's crew. Nunn has come unannounced, much as a team's general manager would make a road trip to watch his players.
But Nunn is there to do more than observe. At halftime, he makes his way down to the officials' spartan dressing quarters to talk to Palmer about the technical foul. He praises her for making the call, but lets her know that she bears some of the blame for the incident.
Unlike plays that call for a slow whistle, such as drives through the lane that may evolve in a variety of ways, flagrant contact like that bear hug should be immediately whistled, so no escalation can occur. When O'Neal didn't hear a whistle, he started to take matters into his own hands. "Defuse that before it starts," Nunn tells her.
Palmer listens intently—and acts. Moments into the second half, she blows a quick whistle on a similar play. "That's one reason she's going to be an excellent official," Nunn says. "She really responds to advice and criticism."
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Studio Collection by Dimond
Classy and modern, the Chrome and Black Studio Table Lamp by Dimond offers homeowners an up-to-date style of lamp. Available with a 3-way switch, it's easy to change the lighting to fit any mood of any area. All lamps come with a woven lampshade for dimming lights. With a studio-like feel, you won't find a nicer lamp to add to your collection.


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Phillip Walker Sailors, 69, of Lilburn, was arrested for fatally shooting Rodrigo Abad Diaz, who friends say pulled into the wrong driveway Saturday night. The arrest warrant alleges Diaz was shot in the head as he tried to drive away from Sailors' home on Hillcrest Road in Lilburn. Friends of 22 year old Rodrigo Abad Diaz maintain he and others were trying to find a friend's house, but their GPS led them to the wrong home.
After seeing the car in his driveway, Sailors came out of his home, went back inside, then came out again with a gun and shot in the air, Yeson Jimenez, 15, told Channel 2. Jimenez said he and his brother were in the car with Diaz, along with a female passenger. Diaz tried to drive away, but Sailors shot again, striking Diaz in the head, according to police.
"He is very distraught over the loss of life from the defense of his home," attorney Michael Puglise said. "This incident happened late in the evening hours when he was home with his wife and he assumed it was a home invasion and he maintains his innocence."
Sailors remained late Monday in jail, where he was being held without bond. He has no known criminal history. Source
Since when did people become so trigger-happy that someone accidentally pulling into the wrong driveway is automatically assumed to be a robber Would Mr. Sailors have reacted the same way had Rodrigo Abad Diaz been white?


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So, with all that's happened since the Golden State "blockbuster deal," what are your thoughts on the trade? Does it differ from your initial reaction to the trade?
I was slightly against the trade when it happened, but I have a feeling that Al and Jack were more of a locker room problem than we'll ever know. It's also difficult to gauge the trade appropriately since Quis has been missing for so long. However, if I had to make a choice with what knowledge is public now, I would not do the trade. I still don't believe Al and Jack were the answer here, but I think we could have gotten a better deal for either (or both) in the offseason. Really, I do. Either way, as I said when the trade first happened, locking into Murphleavey's contracts was a terrible, terrible mistake that will likely hinder us for years.


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Looking for something to satisfy your appetite for power? Try a big Mak! For the most demanding enthusiast, the Orion SkyView Pro 180mm Mak-Cass Telescope sets the standard for high-power performance and compact design. With 7" of aperture and that long focal length Maksutov aficionados love, you'll get tack-sharp views and clearly defined photos with subtle detail and high contrast.
The reason for the outstanding high-power performance is the 180mm (7.1") optical system with its 2,700mm focal length (f/15). With 44% more light grasp than the 150mm Mak, you'll get brighter images and better resolution. And the Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design produces larger images with less eyepiece magnification than other telescopes. It's the perfect combination of brightness, contrast, and definition for planets, close double-stars, clusters, and well-defined deep-sky targets.
The visual back accepts 1.25" eyepieces and accessories, and a dovetail bracket on the rear cell accepts any Orion finder scope or EZ Finder. The dovetail rail on the underside of the tube makes it easy to remove the telescope or attach it to the mount for easier setup. Attach an Orion StarShoot Solar System Imaging Camera and you'll capture gorgeous high-resolution color images on your PC!
Power, versatility, portability - if you're a serious "big Mak" fan then this one is for you!
Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.
Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.
Level 1 Beginner - Suited for a wide range of uses, these telescopes are simple to operate and set up. Some initial assembly may be required. Very good optical and mechanical quality. Great for families, young people, and folks who don't want to mess with equipment but just want to take a look. Any of these scopes will show you countless lunar craters, Saturn's rings and a myriad of star clusters and nebulas! Referring to the manual is recommended.
Level 2 Intermediate - These scopes offer higher performance and more advanced features than Level 1: Beginner models. They typically take a bit longer to learn and need some set-up or adjustments. But anyone with the slightest technical bent will have no problem getting familiar with these models. Referring to the manual is recommended.
Level 3 Advanced - These scopes provide the best performance but may require more skill to master and appreciate. They have exceptionally fine optics and mechanics. Some are easy to use but are but on the large or heavy side. Some are intended for specialized uses. These scopes will appeal to the more technically inclined. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.
Level 4 Expert - Expert telescopes offer uncompromising optical and mechanical quality for the most demanding amateur astronomer. They may be technically involved or designed for specialized use, such as astrophotography or detailed deep sky observation. They carry a premium price, but are designed to provide the ultimate performance in the field. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.
For telescopes, the optical diameter (also known as aperture) is the size of a telescope's main light-collecting lens or primary mirror, measured in millimeters or inches. Telescopes with larger optical diameters collect more light, which leads to an increase in brightness and image resolution compared to smaller instruments.
For binoculars, the optical diameter (also known as objective lens diameter) is the size of each of the front-facing objective lenses of a binocular measured in millimeters. Binoculars with larger objective lenses collect more light, which increases image resolution and brightness. Binoculars with larger objective lenses are recommended for low light situations, and binoculars with at least 50mm or larger objective lenses are recommended for pleasing astronomical observations at night.
Orion SkyView� Pro 180 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope Optical Tube Assembly
25mm Orion Sirius Pl�ssl telescope eyepiece (1.25")
90� prism star diagonal (1.25")
Orion equatorial mount
Orion 9x50 finder scope
Dovetail finder telescope base
Tube ring mounting plate
7.5 lb counterweight
7.3 lb counterweight
4.0 lb counterweight
Counterweight shaft
Tripod accessory tray
Slow-motion control knobs
Dust cap
1.25" visual back
Polar axis finder scope cover
Latitude adjustment L-bolt
Starry Night special edition software
Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock item the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.
A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.
Standard Delivery: $0.00Standard Delivery to Canada: $75.003 Day Delivery: $165.002 Day Delivery: $165.00Next Day Delivery: $205.00
Can the Laser Collimator be used on Schmidt-Cassegrains and Maksutov Cassegrains?
No. The Laser Collimator doesn't reflect off the primary, so it won't work to collimate the primary for a Schmidt-Cass or Mak-Cass. It can be used to collimate the secondary mirror for a Schmidt-Cass.
How do I align a polar finder?
This procedure is complicated and it is not required for casual observing, but here it goes . . .
Remove the cover cap from the front opening in the R.A. axis of the telescope mount. Look through the polar finder at a distant object. Focus the polar finder so that the images and reticle are sharp by rotating the eyepiece end of the finder. Notice that the reticle pattern consists of a crosshair with a circle around the middle. On the circumference of this circle is a tiny circle; this is where Polaris will be placed for accurate polar alignment once the finder is properly aligned. Alignment of the polar finder is best done during the day, before going out into the field at night. Aligning the polar axis finder scope so that it will accurately point at the true north pole is a two-step procedure. First, the polar finder must be rotated in its housing so that the small circle in which Polaris will be placed in is in the proper initial position. Next, the polar axis finder must be adjusted so that it points directly along the mount's R.A. axis.:
* 1. Loosen the R.A. setting circle lock thumb screw, located just above the R.A. setting circle. Rotate the R.A. setting circle until the line above the "0" on the setting circle lines up with the pointed indicator that is cast into the mount. Retighten the thumbscrew.
* 2. Rotate the date circle until the "0" line on the meridian off-set scale lines up with the time meridian indicator mark. The meridian offset scale is printed on the inner circumference of the date circle, and is labeled "E20" to "W20". The time meridian indicator mark is an engraved line on the exterior of the polar finder's housing. It is on the "ring" of the housing that is closest to the date circle.
* 3. The R.A. setting circle is labeled in hours, from "0" to "23" (military time). For Northern Hemisphere observers, refer to the top numbers on the setting circle. Each small line represents 10 minutes of R.A. The date circle is labeled from "1" to "12", with each number representing a month of the year ("1" is January, "2" is February, etc.). Each small line represents a two-day increment.
* 4. Loosen the R.A. lock lever and rotate the mount about the R.A. axis until the March 1 indicating mark (the long line between the "2" and the "3") on the date circle lines up with the 4 PM mark (the long line above the "16") on the R.A. setting circle. You may find it convenient to remove both the counterweights and the telescope optical tube to do this.
* 5. Now, loosen the three thumbscrews on the polar finder housing and rotate the polar finder so the small circle where Polaris will be centered is located straight down from the intersection of the crosshairs. Retighten the thumbscrews. The polar axis finder scope is now properly set in its initial position. Next, you must align it so that it is exactly parallel to the mount's R.A. axis.
* 6. Look through the polar finder at a distant object (during the day) and center it in the crosshairs. You may need to adjust the latitude adjustment T-bolts and the tripod position to do this.
* 7. Rotate the mount 180° about the R.A. axis. Again, it may be convenient to remove the counterweights and optical tube first.
* 8. Look through the polar finder again. Is the object being viewed still centered on the crosshairs? If it is, then no further adjustment is necessary. If not, then look through the polar finder while rotating the mount about the R.A. axis. You will notice that the object you have previously centered moves in a circular path. Use the three thumbscrews on the housing to redirect the crosshairs of the polar finder to the apparent center of this circular path. Repeat this procedure until the position that the crosshairs point to does not rotate off-center when the mount is rotated in R.A. Once this is accomplished, retighten the thumbscrews. The polar axis finder scope is now ready to be used. When not in use, replace the plastic protective cover to prevent the polar finder from getting bumped, which could knock it out of alignment.
How do I align a finder scope?
Before you use the finder scope, it must be precisely aligned with the telescope so they both point to exactly the same spot. Alignment is easiest to do in daylight, rather than at night under the stars. First, insert a low power telescope eyepiece (a 25mm eyepiece will work great) into the telescope's focuser. Then point the telescope at a discrete object such as the top of a telephone pole or a street sign that is at least a quarter-mile away. Position the telescope so the target object appears in the very center of the field of view when you look into the eyepiece. Now look through the finder scope. Is the object centered on the finder scope's crosshairs? If not, hopefully it will be visible somewhere in the field of view, so only small turns of the finder scope bracket's alignment thumb screws will be needed. Otherwise you'll have to make larger turns to the alignment thumb screws to redirect the aim of the finder scope. Use the alignment thumb screws to center the object on the crosshairs of the finder scope. Then look again into the telescope's eyepiece and see if it is still centered there too. If it isn't, repeat the entire process, making sure not to move the telescope while adjusting the alignment of the finder scope. Finder scopes can come out of alignment during transport or when removed from the telescope, so check its alignment before each observing session.
How do I focus the finder scope?
If, when looking through the finder scope, you notice that the image is fuzzy, you will need to focus the finder scope for your eyes. Different finder scopes focus differently; most Orion finder scopes include a lock ring near the objective and focus as follows:
1. Loosen the lock ring that is located behind the finder's objective lens cell
2. Screw the objective lens cell in or out until the image appears sharp.
3. Tighten the lock ring behind the lens cell. If there is no lock ring the finder scope is focused by rotating the eyepiece.
Once the finder scope is now focused it should not need focusing again for your eyes..
Can the finder scope crosshairs be adjusted?
Yes, but before taking this on, regardless of the orientation, the intersection of the crosshairs marks the center and that's what important. However, should you feel the need to change the orientation of the finder scope's crosshairs; you can do so by carefully rotating the finder scope in its bracket. Loosen the adjustment screws or pull on the tensioner (depending on the model) and rotate the finder scope tube in the bracket until the crosshairs are oriented the way you want. You should not need to rotate the finder scope tube more than 1/4 of a turn. For right-angle finder scopes, unthread the eyepiece to re-orient the crosshairs; gently turn the eyepiece until the crosshairs are oriented as you wish. You should not need to rotate the eyepiece more than 1/4 of a turn to do this. This may leave you with a loose eyepiece. If so, you can add an o-ring or shim to tighten it at the new orientation.
How do I calculate the magnification (power) of a telescope?
To calculate the magnification, or power, of a telescope with an eyepiece, simply divide the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece. Magnification = telescope focal length ÷ eyepiece focal length. For example, the Orion Sirius 180mm Mak-Cass Telescope, which has a focal length of 2700mm, used in combination with the supplied 25mm eyepiece, yields a power of: 2700 ÷ 25 = 108x.
It is desirable to have a range of telescope eyepieces of different focal lengths to allow viewing over a range of magnifications. It is not uncommon for an observer to own five or more eyepieces. Orion offers many different eyepieces of varying focal lengths.
Every telescope has a theoretical limit of power of about 50x per inch of aperture (i.e. 360x for the Orion Sirius 180mm Mak-Cass). Atmospheric conditions will limit the usefullness of magnification and cause views to become blurred. The highest useful magnification of a telescope of the Orion Sirius 180mm Mak-Cass is 300x. Claims of higher power by some telescope manufacturers are a misleading advertising gimmick and should be dismissed. Keep in mind that at higher powers, an image will always be dimmer and less sharp (this is a fundamental law of optics). With every doubling of magnification you lose half the image brightness and three-fourths of the image sharpness. The steadiness of the air (the "seeing") can also limit how much magnification an image can tolerate. Always start viewing with your lowest-power (longest focal length) eyepiece in the telescope. It's best to begin observing with the lowest-power eyepiece, because it will typically provide the widest true field of view, which will make finding and centering objects much easier After you have located and centered an object, you can try switching to a higher-power eyepiece to ferret out more detail, if atmospheric conditions permit. If the image you see is not crisp and steady, reduce the magnification by switching to a longer focal length eyepiece. As a general rule, a small but well-resolved image will show more detail and provide a more enjoyable view than a dim and fuzzy, over-magnified image."
What are practical focal lengths to have for eyepieces for my telescope?
To determine what telescope eyepieces you need to get powers in a particular range with your telescope, see our Learning Center article: How to choose Telescope Eyepieces
How big a telescope do I need?
For viewing craters on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, and Jupiter with its four bright moons, a 60mm or 70mm refractor or a 3-inch reflector telescope does a good job. An 80mm to 90mm refractor or 4.5-inch or 6-inch reflector will show more planetary and lunar detail as well as glowing nebulas and sparkling star clusters. Under dark, non-light-polluted skies, a big scope—8-inch diameter or more—will serve up magnificent images of fainter clusters, galaxies, and nebulas. The larger the telescope, the more detail you will see. But don't bite off more than you can chew, size-wise. Before you buy, consider carefully a telescope's size and weight. Make sure you can comfortably lift and transport it, and that you have room indoors to store it. For more detailed information on this topic see our Learning Center article: Choosing a Telescope for Astronomy - The long Version
What causes dim or distorted images?
Too much magnification
Keep in mind that at higher powers, an image will always be dimmer and less sharp (this is a fundamental law of optics). The steadiness of the air, the seeing, can also limit how much magnification an image can tolerate. Always start viewing with your lowest-power (longest focal length) eyepiece in the telescope. It's best to begin observing with the lowest-power eyepiece, because it will typically provide the widest true field of view, which will make finding and centering objects much easier After you have located and centered an object, you can try switching to a higher-power eyepiece to ferret out more detail, if atmospheric conditions permit. If the image you see is not crisp and steady, reduce the magnification by switching to a longer focal length telescope eyepiece. As a general rule, a small but well-resolved image will show more detail and provide a more enjoyable view than a dim and fuzzy, over-magnified image. As a rule of thumb, it is not recommended to exceed 2x per mm of aperture.
Atmospheric conditions aren't optimal.
Atmospheric conditions vary significantly from night to night, even hour to hour . "Seeing" refers to the steadiness of the Earth's atmosphere at a given time. In conditions of poor seeing, atmospheric turbulence causes objects viewed through the telescope to "boil." If, when you look up at the sky with just your eyes, the stars are twinkling noticeably, the seeing is bad and you will be limited to viewing with low powers (bad seeing affects images at high powers more severely). Seeing is best overhead, worst at the horizon. Also, seeing generally gets better after midnight, when much of the heat absorbed by the Earth during the day has radiated off into space. It's best, although perhaps less convenient, to escape the light-polluted city sky in favor of darker country skies.
Viewing through a glass window open or closed.
Avoid observing from indoors through an open (or closed) window, because the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor air, reflections and imperfections in the glass, will cause image blurring and distortion.
Telescope not at thermal equilibrium.
All optical instruments need time to reach "thermal equilibrium." The bigger the instrument and the larger the temperature change, the more time is needed. Allow at least a half-hour for your telescope to cool to the temperature outdoors. In very cold climates (below freezing), it is essential to store the telescope as cold as possible. If it has to adjust to more than a 40 degrees temperature change, allow at least one hour. Time to adjust varies depending on the scope type and aperture.
Make sure you are not looking over buildings, pavement, or any other source of heat, which will radiate away at night, causing "heat wave" disturbances that will distort the image you see through the telescope.
Does the atmosphere play a role in how good the quality of the image will be?
Atmospheric conditions play a huge part in quality of viewing. In conditions of good "seeing", star twinkling is minimal and objects appear steady in the eyepiece. Seeing is best over-head, worst at the horizon. Also, seeing generally gets better after midnight, when much of the heat absorbed by the Earth during the day has radiated off into space. Typically, seeing conditions will be better at sites that have an altitude over about 3000 feet. Altitude helps because it decreases the amount of distortion causing atmosphere you are looking through. A good way to judge if the seeing is good or not is to look at bright stars about 40 degrees above the horizon. If the stars appear to "twinkle", the atmosphere is significantly distorting the incoming light, and views at high magnifications will not appear sharp. If the stars appear steady and do not twinkle, seeing conditions are probably good and higher magnifications will be possible. Also, seeing conditions are typically poor during the day. This is because the heat from the Sun warms the air and causes turbulence. Good "transparency" is especially important for observing faint objects. It simply means the air is free of moisture, smoke, and dust. These tend to scatter light, which reduces an object's brightness. One good way to tell if conditions are good is by how many stars you can see with your naked eye. If you cannot see stars of magnitude 3.5 or dimmer then conditions are poor. Magnitude is a measure of how bright a star is, the brighter a star is, the lower its magnitude will be. A good star to remember for this is Megrez (mag. 3.4), which is the star in the "Big Dipper" connecting the handle to the "dipper". If you cannot see Megrez, then you have fog, haze, clouds, smog, light pollution or other conditions that are hindering your viewing. Another hint: Good seeing can vary minute to minute. Watch the planets for a while to pick-up those moments of good seeing.
How long will it take my eyes to dark adapt?
Do not expect to go from a lighted house into the darkness of the outdoors at night and immediately see faint nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters—or even very many stars, for that matter. Your eyes take about 30 minutes to reach perhaps 80 percent of their full dark-adapted sensitivity. Many observers notice improvements after several hours of total darkness. As your eyes become dark-adapted, more stars will glimmer into view and you will be able to see fainter details in objects you view in your telescope. So give yourself at least a little while to get used to the dark before you begin observing. To see what you are doing in the darkness, use a red light flashlight rather than a white light. Red light does not spoil your eyes' dark adaptation like white light does. A flashlight with a red LED light is ideal, or you can cover the front of a regular flashlight with red cellophane or paper. Beware, too, that nearby porch and streetlights and automobile headlights will spoil your night vision. Your eyes can take at least 1/2 hour to re-adjust.
How do I best view Deep-Sky Objects?
Most deep-sky objects are very faint, so it is important that you find an observing site well away from light pollution. Take plenty of time to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Don't expect these objects to appear like the photographs you see in books and magazines; most will look like dim gray "ghosts." (Our eyes are not sensitive enough to see color in deep-sky objects except in few of the brightest ones.) But as you become more experienced and your observing skills improve, you will be able to coax out more and more intricate details. And definitely use your low-power telescope eyepieces to get a wide field-of-view for the largest of the deep-sky objects.
What will the planets look like through the telescope?
The planets don't stay put like stars do (they don't have fixed R.A. and Dec. coordinates), so you will need to refer to the Orion Star Chart on our website. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are among the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. All four of these planets are not normally visible in the sky at one time, but chances are one or two of them will be.
JUPITER: The largest planetJupiter, is a great subject to observe. You can see the disk of the giant planet and watch the ever-changing positions of its four largest moons, Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. If atmospheric conditions are good, you may be able to resolve thin cloud bands on the planet's disk.
SATURN: The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when it is well positioned. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a period of many years; sometimes they are seen edge-on, while at other times they are broadside and look like giant "ears" on each side of Saturn's disk. A steady atmosphere (good seeing) is necessary for a good view. You may probably see a tiny, bright "star" close by; that's Saturn's brightest moon, Titan.
VENUS: At its brightest, Venus is the most luminous object in the sky, excluding the Sun and the Moon. It is so bright that sometimes it is visible to the naked eye during full daylight! Ironically, Venus appears as a thin crescent, not a full disk, when at its peak brightness. Because it is so close to the Sun, it never wanders too far from the morning or evening horizon. No surface markings can be seen on Venus, which is always shrouded in dense clouds. Sometimes using a color filter will lessen the glare of Venus and help you see the crescent.
MARS: If atmospheric conditions are good, you may be able to see some subtle surface detail on the Red Planet, possibly even the polar ice cap. Mars makes a close approach to Earth every two years; during those approaches its disk is larger and thus more favorable for viewing. For more detailed information on this topic see our Learning Center article: What Will You See Through a Telescope
Can I wear my glasses when using a telescope?
If you wear eyeglasses, you may be able to keep them on while you observe, if your telescope eyepieces have enough "eye relief" to allow you to see the whole field of view. You can find out by looking through the eyepiece first with your glasses on and then with them off, and see if the glasses restrict the view to only a portion of the full field. If they do, you can easily observe with your glasses off by just refocusing the telescope the needed amount. If your eyes are astigmatic, images will probably appear the best with glasses on. This is because a telescope's focuser can accommodate for nearsightedness or farsightedness, but not astigmatism. If you have to wear your glasses while observing and cannot see the entire field of view, you may want to purchase additional eyepieces that have longer eye relief.
What will a star look like through a telescope?
Stars will appear like twinkling points of light in the telescope. Even the largest telescopes cannot magnify stars to appear as anything more than points of light. You can, however, enjoy the different colors of the stars and locate many pretty double and multiple stars. The famous "Double-Double" in the constellation Lyra and the gorgeous two-color double star Albireo in Cygnus are favorites. Defocusing the image of a star slightly can help bring out its color. For more detailed information on this topic see our Learning Center article: Stars and Deep Sky Objects.
Is there an eyepiece available that will rotate the image so that it can be used for scenic viewing?
We carry correct-image prism diagonals which provide right-side up non-reversed images in refractor and cassegrain telescopes. It is not possible to correct the image orientation in a reflector telescope.
How do I clean any of the optical lenses?
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens cleaning fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be used to clean the exposed lenses of your eyepieces or finder scope. Never use regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid designed for eyeglasses. Before cleaning with fluid and tissue, blow any loose particles off the lens with a blower bulb or compressed air. Then apply some cleaning fluid to a tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens gently in a circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with a fresh lens tissue. Oily finger-prints and smudges may be removed using this method. Use caution; rubbing too hard may scratch the lens. On larger lenses, clean only a small area at a time, using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues.
How do I Clean a Mak-Cass Lens?
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens cleaning fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be used to clean the Apex's front meniscus lens or exposed lenses of your eyepieces or finder scope. Never use regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid designed for eyeglasses. Before cleaning with fluid and tissue, however, blow any loose particles off the lens with a blower bulb or compressed air. Then apply some cleaning fluid to a tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens gently in a circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with a fresh lens tissue. Oily fingerprints and smudges may be removed using this method. Use caution; rubbing too hard may scratch the lens. For the large surface of the meniscus lens, clean only a small area at a time, using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues.
Does my telescope require time to cool down?
As a general rule, telescopes should be allowed to cool down (or warm up) before they are used. If you bring optics from a warm air to cold air (or vice versa) without giving it time to reach thermal equilibrium, your telescope will give you distorted views. Allow your telescope 30 minutes to an hour to reach the temperature of the outdoors before using. When brining your telescope from cool temperatures to warm temperatures, leave any protective caps off until the telescope has warmed-up to prevent condensation. Storing your telescope in the garage or shed where the temperature is closer to the outside temperature will reduce cool down times.
How do I Polar Align an Equatorial Mount?
For Northern Hemisphere observers, approximate polar alignment is achieved by pointing the mount's R.A. axis at the North Star, or Polaris. It lies within 1° of the north celestial pole (NCP), which is an extension of the Earth's rotational axis out into space. Stars in the Northern Hemisphere appear to revolve around Polaris. To find Polaris in the sky, look north and locate the pattern of the Big Dipper. The two stars at the end of the "bowl" of the Big Dipper point right to Polaris. Observers in the Southern Hemisphere aren't so fortunate to have a bright star so near the south celestial pole (SCP). The star Sigma Octantis lies about 1° from the SCP, but it is barely visible with the naked eye (magnitude 5.5). For general visual observation, an approximate polar alignment is sufficient: 1. Level the equatorial mount by adjusting the length of the three tripod legs. 2. Loosen one of the latitude adjusting T-bolts and tighten the other to tilt the mount until the pointer on the latitude scale is set at the latitude of your observing site. This may vary depending on the mount, some have one bolt and a tightening screw instead. If you don't know your latitude, consult a geographical atlas to find it. For example, if your latitude is 35° North, set the pointer to +35. The latitude setting should not have to be adjusted again unless you move to a different viewing location some distance away. 3. Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the telescope optical tube until it is parallel with the R.A. axis. The pointer on the Dec. setting circle should read 90°. Retighten the Dec. lock lever. 4. Move the tripod so the telescope tube (and R.A. axis) points roughly at Polaris. If you cannot see Polaris directly from your observing site, consult a compass and rotate the tripod so the telescope points north. Using a compass is a less desirable option, a compass points about 16° away from true north and requires you to compensate foe accurate polar alignment. The equatorial mount is now approximately polar-aligned for casual observing. More precise polar alignment is required for astrophotography and for use of the manual setting circles. From this point on in your observing session, you should not make any further adjustments to the latitude of the mount, nor should you move the tripod. Doing so will undo the polar alignment. The telescope should be moved only about its R.A. and Dec. axes.
What is Periodic Error Correction or PEC?
Periodic Error Correction, or PEC for short, is a system that improves the track accuracy for the drive by reducing the number of the user corrections. PEC is designed to improve photographic quality by reducing the amplitude of the worm errors. Using the PEC function is a two-step process. First you guide for at least 5 ½ minutes (the time it takes the worm to make one revolution) during which the system records the corrections you make. This "teaches" the PEC chip the characteristics of the worm. The second step is to play back the corrections you made during one recording phase. Keep in mind, this feature is for the advanced astrophotographer and requires careful guiding.
How do I focus my Mak-Cass?
Point the telescope so the front end is aimed in the general direction of an object you wish to view. When you first look in the eyepiece, the image you see may be fuzzy, or out of focus. If so, gently turn the focus knob with your fingers until the image becomes sharp. Go a little bit beyond sharp focus until the image just starts to blur again, then reverse the rotation of the knob, just to make sure you've hit the exact focus point. You will have to readjust the focus when aiming at subjects of varying distances for daytime viewing, or after changing eyepieces. If you have trouble focusing, rotate the focus knob counter-clockwise as far as it will go. Now look through the eyepiece while slowly rotating the focus knob clockwise. You should soon see the point at which focus is reached. Hint: Telescopes with long focal lengths and lots of focus travel can be challenging to focus. Turn the focus knob gently and allow the turn to settle before adjusting further.
How do I do Planetary Photography?
Once basic Moon photography has been mastered, it's time to get images of the planets. This type of astrophotography also works to get highly magnified shots of the Moon. In addition to the T-ring, you will need a Universal 1.25" Camera Adapter. A motor drive system (single or dual axis) is also required. This is because a longer exposure is necessary, which would cause the image to blur if no motor drive was used for tracking. The equatorial mount must be accurately polar aligned, too. As before, connect the T-ring to your camera. Before connecting the Universal camera adapter to the T-Ring, an eyepiece must be inserted and locked into the body of the Universal camera adapter. Start by using a medium-low power eyepiece (about 25mm); you can increase the magnification later with a high-power eyepiece. Then connect the entire camera adapter, with eyepiece inside, to the T-Ring. Insert the whole system into the telescope's focuser drawtube and secure firmly with the thumbscrews. Aim the telescope at the planet (or Moon) you wish to shoot. The image will be highly magnified, so you may need to use the finder scope to center it within the camera's viewfinder. Turn the motor drive on. Adjust the telescope's focuser so that the image appears sharp in the camera's viewfinder. The camera's shutter is now ready to be opened. A remote shutter release or shutter timer must be used or the image will be blurred beyond recognition. Try exposure times between 1 and 10 seconds, depending upon the brightness of the planet to be photographed and the ISO of the film being used. We've also seen good digital snapshots of images taken through the telescope's eyepiece with the SteadyPix adapter.
How do I take solar astrophotos?
By attaching a camera body to a telescope, in effect using the scope as a telephoto lens, you can take striking photographs of the Sun. Only attempt this if the telescope is equipped with the proper solar filter. Solar filters are coated to a neutral density of 5, which reduces the light about 100,000 times. Depending on the aperture and focal length of your telescope and "seeing" conditions, you will need to experiment to find the best exposure time for your equipment. We recommend starting with an ISO rating of around 400. At prime focus, start with an exposure of about 1/250 second. Experiment with different shutter speeds. When using higher magnifications, longer exposures will generally be necessary. If you are a beginner in astrophotography and need further information, there are books available that cover this subject completely. Do not be discouraged if your first attempts at solar photography are less than desired. The Sun is very difficult to photograph because of poorer "seeing" conditions caused by unavoidable heat currents associated with daytime viewing. The highest possible resolution for any land-based telescope, regardless of location, is about 1 arc second. Ideal seeing for any location will be available less than 5% of the time. It may be some consolation to consider that your results could equal those at professional observatories, as larger apertures and location have little, if any, advantage. During bad seeing conditions, it may help to "stop down" apertures over 5" with an off-axis mask.
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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Prostate Cancer
Testicle Removal to Assist Prostate Cancer
I read the article about removing both testicles for testosterone reduction. Q: Could one testicle be removed, reducing testosterone production. Hormone therapy, with EBRT and "seed" implants? Thanks.
Removing one testicle will not reduce the testosterone. The remaining testicle will still produce normal levels of testosterone.
Lee E Ponsky, MD
Associate Professor of Urology
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University


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