Furlongs / Fortnight

Martin commented on why he thinks GNU Units is useful. I haven't seen that trick before. Cool.

The reason I like having it around is so I can try and remember what the approximately equivalent units of measurement for furlongs/fortnight is:

          You have: furlongs/fortnight
          You want: cm/min
                  * 0.99785914
                  / 1.0021455

That's why I like GNU Units, it's a game to play in the afternoon on unproductive days :-)

tech/misc | 02 Feb 2005 | #

A Man on the Moon

I've just finished reading A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin. This is an amazing book, and makes me feel even more respect for those involved with the Apollo program. He describes well the large push of people and resources working together to achieve something astronomically great (pun not intended). This is one of those books that you only put down when you're exhausted from reading - not because you're sick of it. Chaikin covers the entire Apollo series from the start to finish and does a very good job of stiring up awe inside you. He introduces us to the astronauts, their families, the NASA staff at the Cape, and the thousands of people working together to make it all a reality. You really feel the achievement of Apollo 8, the tension and subsequent relief of Apollo 11, the we-will-overcome attitude of Apollo 13, and the anger at the early end of the Apollo program when the politicians lacked the will to continue. Some of the most sobering words in the book are that we've lost the ability to return to the moon. This is a book I will read again.

Having said that, his coverage of the most historically significant mission - Apollo 11 - is lacking. Perhaps this is to do with the reclusive nature of the participants, but it is a downfall of the book. I can't help feel that the book needed more coverage of what Armstrong and Aldrin were feeling once they detached from the command module and headed for the moon. I guess the author can only record what they were prepared to share.

I can't help feel inspired about my own goals and things that are important to me after reading this book. Big things are possible to those who try. And this book has encouraged me to try.

tech/books | 02 Feb 2005 | #