Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Hi Mike, Brian, all, Actually the EoM was built with future usage in mind and has unlimited bandwidth. We will not run out even with the Meteoritical Bulletin on-line database also using the photo files. There is also a lot more room for photos to be added too. These days hosting is actually quite cheap with the many different providers out there competing against each other. It was a fair point that Mike raised about the multiple photos though. It's probably not really necessary to add several photos of the same piece unless it is something different or special. For those that may may not have this shortcut, you can also use: http://eom.imca.cc. Cheers, Jeff Kuyken Meteorites Australia www.meteorites.com.au Vice President - I.M.C.A. Inc. www.imca.cc - Original Message - From: Brian Cox searchingfor...@sbcglobal.net To: Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 3:58 PM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites Hi Mike and list, I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about the Encyclopedia of Meteorites Mike. It honestly makes sense about the number of photos taking up bandwidth and thanks to John also about bringing it up. I can't remember when anyone has mentioned about bandwidth usage on the site. I'm sure as you said that would be one heck of a large bill. There must be some guidelines or something that is being done to keep the bill within reason. I'm glad it's still free and I'm sure they've thought about the number of photos, but at least there is interest in it and it's growing. Thanks for discussion. Brian __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Hello John, Mike, Brian, Jeff and all, my english is not very good. But I hope you will understand me. First, I find the EOM really awesome. Mainly because of the link to the MetBull database. The EOM is no management of the collection for me. For me it is important that when I look in the database of the MetBull, I want to see photos of the listed meteorites also. But not any photos! It must be meaningful photos. So I try in some photos that show characteristics of the meteorite or special features of this meteorite type. Because it's what I'm looking in the database of MetBull. I have also very small pieces or crumbs in the collection, which I do not want to listen to the EOM. Simple reason, because you can not see any special feature of the meteorite in the photo. The problem should not be the number of photos of one and the same meteorite. More important are photos, which clearly show each meteorite with his properties and characteristics. Best regards to all, Mirko Mirko Graul Meteorite Quittenring.4 16321 Bernau GERMANY Phone: 0049-1724105015 E-Mail: m_gr...@yahoo.de WEB: www.meteorite-mirko.de Member of The Meteoritical Society (International Society for Meteoritics and Planetery Science) IMCA-Member: 2113 (International Meteorite Collectors Association) --- Jeff Kuyken i...@meteorites.com.au schrieb am Sa, 26.3.2011: Von: Jeff Kuyken i...@meteorites.com.au Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites An: Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Datum: Samstag, 26. März, 2011 07:39 Uhr Hi Mike, Brian, all, Actually the EoM was built with future usage in mind and has unlimited bandwidth. We will not run out even with the Meteoritical Bulletin on-line database also using the photo files. There is also a lot more room for photos to be added too. These days hosting is actually quite cheap with the many different providers out there competing against each other. It was a fair point that Mike raised about the multiple photos though. It's probably not really necessary to add several photos of the same piece unless it is something different or special. For those that may may not have this shortcut, you can also use: http://eom.imca.cc. Cheers, Jeff Kuyken Meteorites Australia www.meteorites.com.au Vice President - I.M.C.A. Inc. www.imca.cc - Original Message - From: Brian Cox searchingfor...@sbcglobal.net To: Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 3:58 PM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites Hi Mike and list, I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about the Encyclopedia of Meteorites Mike. It honestly makes sense about the number of photos taking up bandwidth and thanks to John also about bringing it up. I can't remember when anyone has mentioned about bandwidth usage on the site. I'm sure as you said that would be one heck of a large bill. There must be some guidelines or something that is being done to keep the bill within reason. I'm glad it's still free and I'm sure they've thought about the number of photos, but at least there is interest in it and it's growing. Thanks for discussion. Brian __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Hi All, I will also add that one of the features we built into the EoM is that when an image is submitted that it automatically is resized to not consume a large amount of band width; if someone posts an image that has not been resized (many are 5mb and larger) it is reduced to around 300 x 250 pixels to help with not only size of data base but also to allow picture to load faster when you select to view full size. Glad that everyone is enjoying the EoM and it is with all the images it is becoming a solid data base for visual reference. Thanks to everyone for some of their outstanding images they have shared. Best Regards, Bob Falls IMCA Board of Director #2413 EoM Administrator -Original Message- From: meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com [mailto:meteorite-list-boun...@meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Kuyken Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 12:39 AM To: Meteorite-list Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites Hi Mike, Brian, all, Actually the EoM was built with future usage in mind and has unlimited bandwidth. We will not run out even with the Meteoritical Bulletin on-line database also using the photo files. There is also a lot more room for photos to be added too. These days hosting is actually quite cheap with the many different providers out there competing against each other. It was a fair point that Mike raised about the multiple photos though. It's probably not really necessary to add several photos of the same piece unless it is something different or special. For those that may may not have this shortcut, you can also use: http://eom.imca.cc. Cheers, Jeff Kuyken Meteorites Australia www.meteorites.com.au Vice President - I.M.C.A. Inc. www.imca.cc - Original Message - From: Brian Cox searchingfor...@sbcglobal.net To: Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 3:58 PM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites Hi Mike and list, I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about the Encyclopedia of Meteorites Mike. It honestly makes sense about the number of photos taking up bandwidth and thanks to John also about bringing it up. I can't remember when anyone has mentioned about bandwidth usage on the site. I'm sure as you said that would be one heck of a large bill. There must be some guidelines or something that is being done to keep the bill within reason. I'm glad it's still free and I'm sure they've thought about the number of photos, but at least there is interest in it and it's growing. Thanks for discussion. Brian __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Hi Bob list: I will caution you on the possible loss of valuable data on the resampling the photos to too small a size. We have seen as time goes by, the available bandwidth and storage capacity increases, and the 300 x 250 images will be vaguely reminicent of the 320 x 240 videos you skip over on Youtube. We don't need 5 Mb image files, but some happy medium would be nice. Please don't resize the images to a less than useful size. I have looked at 300, 480, 640, 800 and 1024 pixel long dimension images and 640 to 800 are the minimum I would resample things down to. I thank the efforts to put up the EOM and it is a great reference. Murray Paulson On Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 9:13 AM, bcmeteorites bcmeteori...@gmail.com wrote: Hi All, I will also add that one of the features we built into the EoM is that when an image is submitted that it automatically is resized to not consume a large amount of band width; if someone posts an image that has not been resized (many are 5mb and larger) it is reduced to around 300 x 250 pixels to help with not only size of data base but also to allow picture to load faster when you select to view full size. Glad that everyone is enjoying the EoM and it is with all the images it is becoming a solid data base for visual reference. Thanks to everyone for some of their outstanding images they have shared. Best Regards, Bob Falls IMCA Board of Director #2413 EoM Administrator __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Mirko, You made a great point about the EoM and that it links to the Met Bull is great also and I like that. Your English is very good also and myself and everyone understood what you meant. Yes, I agree with you about showing good photos and that crumbs or small fragments don't really help anyone to be able to distinguish one meteorite from another by just the small photos we see. We need close-up images and clear photos without any blur and with good lighting so we can all enjoy and learn. Your photos are always very nice. All the best to you always Mirko. Brian __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Hello all, I have to believe that EVERYONE'S touch to others must be having an impact on the interest in meteorites--as of right now there are 478 visitors to the EoM!! WOW John IMCA# 1896 __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Hi John and List, And there are 186 collections with almost 17000 specimens and about 19000 images. The site must be chewing up an enormous amount of bandwidth. I'm glad I don't have to pay that monthly bill. I try to reduce redundancy by only listing a single specimen for each find or fall. I notice that some people have 10 or 20 entries for a single meteorite like Campo or NWA 869. I guess it's not against the rules, but it does contribute to bandwidth usage. In fact, I have a couple of duplicates in my collection that need to be removed - older specimens that have been replaced with newer ones. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like clicking on someone's collection and then seeing 20 entries for Campo, 20 entries for NWA 869, etc - or seeing the same specimen from 10 different angles in 10 different photos. I understand wanting to show off one's entire collection (or document it in photos), but the EOM is a free site, and if it is to stay that way, we should be conservative with the amount and quality of photos that we upload - to help ease the bandwidth costs. So please, don't post 5 photos of your caliche-covered NWA or rusty Campo. This is not directed at any one person in particular, because lots of people are doing it. The only exception to this practice that I tolerate is Mirko's specimens - his meteorites are so attractive, that I don't mind seeing them from different angles or close-ups. But honestly, who wants to see 20 different Campos or the same Campo from 10 angles? Best regards, MikeG -- Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone Ironworks Meteorites Website - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone News Feed - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516 Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone EOM - http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/collection.aspx?id=1564 --- On 3/25/11, John Lutzon j...@hc.fdn.com wrote: Hello all, I have to believe that EVERYONE'S touch to others must be having an impact on the interest in meteorites--as of right now there are 478 visitors to the EoM!! WOW John IMCA# 1896 __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] The Interest In Meteorites
Hi Mike and list, I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about the Encyclopedia of Meteorites Mike. It honestly makes sense about the number of photos taking up bandwidth and thanks to John also about bringing it up. I can't remember when anyone has mentioned about bandwidth usage on the site. I'm sure as you said that would be one heck of a large bill. There must be some guidelines or something that is being done to keep the bill within reason. I'm glad it's still free and I'm sure they've thought about the number of photos, but at least there is interest in it and it's growing. Thanks for discussion. Brian __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites
That's almost exactly the way I put my reply Anita. To be honest I can't remember anyone getting mad at me but like you about 1/3rd won't reply. The others generally just say thanks. There are also two VERY important links I provide them in the response too and I mention that they are likely to find a similar sample to theirs on one of these pages: http://epsc.wustl.edu/admin/resources/meteorites/meteorwrongs/meteorwrongs.htm http://www.meteorite-identification.com/ These two sites are absolute gold and a service to the meteorite community. Cheers, Jeff - Original Message - From: Anita Westlake anitawestl...@att.net To: Adam Hupe raremeteori...@yahoo.com; Gary Fujihara fuj...@mac.com Cc: Adam meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 4:58 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites Hi Ya'll: As President of the Meteorite Association of Georgia, I have seen a recent increase in interest in meteorites as witnessed by more people joining our group, more people coming to our individual lectures, etc. And yes, more uninformed but hopeful people swearing the rock they found in their back yard was not only hot to the touch when found, but is worth its weight in platinum. In order to fend off the nasty replies I get when I patiently explain why it's NOT a meteorite, I simply tell them this: Thank you for contacting us. It is difficult to tell from the photo you provided, but it appears to me that you have found a piece of slag. I encourage you to send your photo and/or a piece of the specimen to those who can test the material with equipment I do not possess. Then, if they write back asking for places that do testing, I'll provide that info. As of today, no one has ever requested more information. I don't know if they were happy with my reply, or simply put my email in the round file. Anita --- On Mon, 3/22/10, Gary Fujihara fuj...@mac.com wrote: From: Gary Fujihara fuj...@mac.com Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22, 2010 To: Adam Hupe raremeteori...@yahoo.com Cc: Adam meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 1:11 PM I agree with you Adam. As much as the Meteorite Men show has provided better awareness to meteorites in the general population, it has also spurred the conmen and get-rich-quick schemers. I think the show has been steered by producers to make it more appealing to viewers, but in doing so have placed far too much emphasis on monetary value and too little on scientific importance. This brings all the riffraff out of the woodwork and now we are beginning to see the negative effects this brings on our hobby/business/passion. My 2¢ gary On Mar 22, 2010, at 6:59 AM, Adam Hupe wrote: A lot of viewers are clinging to the hope they will become overnight millionaires. Most of them will not listen when you tell them their prized new Moon rock is a piece of quartz or their new Pallasite is nothing more then slag. They will become increasingly angry when you try to explain why. They know it is real because it looks just like the one they saw on TV and will not be told otherwise. I do not even respond any more as I do not like to be put in a position as the bay guy who has to break the news that their worthless rock will not make them the latest millionaire. This is what happens when the media focuses too much on the monetary aspect of meteorite collecting. It out weighs any educational benefit this type of show may have provided. The state Washington and Oregon suddenly announced their no collecting policy on federal land; the timing is uncanny. A lot of scam artists will also attach themselves if the smell of easy money is present. One just has to look at the most expensive meteorites on eBay to see this effect. Now, there is always a few fakes listed in the top dollar page. I would hate to see meteorite hunting/collecting go the way treasure hunting did 25 years ago when the avocation almost went extinct, mainly due to the press. Professional treasure hunters now avoid the press when values are put up. Just look at the Mel Fisher group who had to fight for a decade to keep a good portion of their major find due to the fact the press attached a billion dollar price tag to it. Everybody seemed to have a claim on it when they didn't lift a finger to find it. The press made it look easy when in fact Mel suffered many hardships including the loss of his sons life. Best Regards, Adam - Original Message From: mich...@rocksfromspace.org mich...@rocksfromspace.org To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 6:20:26 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22, 2010 http:www.rocksfromspace.org/March_22_2010.html --- Thumbed On My BlackBerry __ Visit the Archives at http
[meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites
Hi Ya'll: As President of the Meteorite Association of Georgia, I have seen a recent increase in interest in meteorites as witnessed by more people joining our group, more people coming to our individual lectures, etc. And yes, more uninformed but hopeful people swearing the rock they found in their back yard was not only hot to the touch when found, but is worth its weight in platinum. In order to fend off the nasty replies I get when I patiently explain why it's NOT a meteorite, I simply tell them this: Thank you for contacting us. It is difficult to tell from the photo you provided, but it appears to me that you have found a piece of slag. I encourage you to send your photo and/or a piece of the specimen to those who can test the material with equipment I do not possess. Then, if they write back asking for places that do testing, I'll provide that info. As of today, no one has ever requested more information. I don't know if they were happy with my reply, or simply put my email in the round file. Anita --- On Mon, 3/22/10, Gary Fujihara fuj...@mac.com wrote: From: Gary Fujihara fuj...@mac.com Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22, 2010 To: Adam Hupe raremeteori...@yahoo.com Cc: Adam meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 1:11 PM I agree with you Adam. As much as the Meteorite Men show has provided better awareness to meteorites in the general population, it has also spurred the conmen and get-rich-quick schemers. I think the show has been steered by producers to make it more appealing to viewers, but in doing so have placed far too much emphasis on monetary value and too little on scientific importance. This brings all the riffraff out of the woodwork and now we are beginning to see the negative effects this brings on our hobby/business/passion. My 2¢ gary On Mar 22, 2010, at 6:59 AM, Adam Hupe wrote: A lot of viewers are clinging to the hope they will become overnight millionaires. Most of them will not listen when you tell them their prized new Moon rock is a piece of quartz or their new Pallasite is nothing more then slag. They will become increasingly angry when you try to explain why. They know it is real because it looks just like the one they saw on TV and will not be told otherwise. I do not even respond any more as I do not like to be put in a position as the bay guy who has to break the news that their worthless rock will not make them the latest millionaire. This is what happens when the media focuses too much on the monetary aspect of meteorite collecting. It out weighs any educational benefit this type of show may have provided. The state Washington and Oregon suddenly announced their no collecting policy on federal land; the timing is uncanny. A lot of scam artists will also attach themselves if the smell of easy money is present. One just has to look at the most expensive meteorites on eBay to see this effect. Now, there is always a few fakes listed in the top dollar page. I would hate to see meteorite hunting/collecting go the way treasure hunting did 25 years ago when the avocation almost went extinct, mainly due to the press. Professional treasure hunters now avoid the press when values are put up. Just look at the Mel Fisher group who had to fight for a decade to keep a good portion of their major find due to the fact the press attached a billion dollar price tag to it. Everybody seemed to have a claim on it when they didn't lift a finger to find it. The press made it look easy when in fact Mel suffered many hardships including the loss of his sons life. Best Regards, Adam - Original Message From: mich...@rocksfromspace.org mich...@rocksfromspace.org To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Mon, March 22, 2010 6:20:26 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22, 2010 http:www.rocksfromspace.org/March_22_2010.html --- Thumbed On My BlackBerry __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list Gary Fujihara Big Kahuna Meteorites (IMCA#1693) 105 Puhili Place, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/ http://shop.ebay.com/fujmon/m.html (808) 640-9161 __ Visit the Archives at
Re: [meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites
Hello List Members: This past weekend I attended a rock and mineral show here in Bakersfield, CA and I noticed two things. First: More vendors are selling (and are more knowledgeable of) meteorites now compared to the past. I spoke to a number of people and they had classifications on some stones, and one had a nice 650 gram Campo with a hole in it - he explained to me that this increases the value. I did not buy it but did get an interesting chondrite from him. Second: I could not believe the number of people telling me about the Meteorite Men TV show... a lot. Many asked me questions as they knew of my interest in meteorites. I think this is great that more people are becoming interested in meteorites, and I think it will increase demand. If this does happed with perhaps (less supply of NWA stones) meteorites should increase in value - especialy the more presting fresh fusion crusted pieces. It will be interesting to see the trends over the next year. Also, the local rock club here asked me if I wanted to do a presentation on meteorite hunting at one of their meetings. I think it's wonderful seeing so many people showing an interest in meteorites. Greg S. Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:58:37 -0700 From: anitawestl...@att.net To: raremeteori...@yahoo.com; fuj...@mac.com CC: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: [meteorite-list] Increased Interest in Meteorites Hi Ya'll: As President of the Meteorite Association of Georgia, I have seen a recent increase in interest in meteorites as witnessed by more people joining our group, more people coming to our individual lectures, etc. And yes, more uninformed but hopeful people swearing the rock they found in their back yard was not only hot to the touch when found, but is worth its weight in platinum. In order to fend off the nasty replies I get when I patiently explain why it's NOT a meteorite, I simply tell them this: Thank you for contacting us. It is difficult to tell from the photo you provided, but it appears to me that you have found a piece of slag. I encourage you to send your photo and/or a piece of the specimen to those who can test the material with equipment I do not possess. Then, if they write back asking for places that do testing, I'll provide that info. As of today, no one has ever requested more information. I don't know if they were happy with my reply, or simply put my email in the round file. Anita --- On Mon, 3/22/10, Gary Fujihara wrote: From: Gary Fujihara Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 22, 2010 To: Adam Hupe Cc: Adam Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 1:11 PM I agree with you Adam. As much as the Meteorite Men show has provided better awareness to meteorites in the general population, it has also spurred the conmen and get-rich-quick schemers. I think the show has been steered by producers to make it more appealing to viewers, but in doing so have placed far too much emphasis on monetary value and too little on scientific importance. This brings all the riffraff out of the woodwork and now we are beginning to see the negative effects this brings on our hobby/business/passion. My 2¢ gary On Mar 22, 2010, at 6:59 AM, Adam Hupe wrote: A lot of viewers are clinging to the hope they will become overnight millionaires. Most of them will not listen when you tell them their prized new Moon rock is a piece of quartz or their new Pallasite is nothing more then slag. They will become increasingly angry when you try to explain why. They know it is real because it looks just like the one they saw on TV and will not be told otherwise. I do not even respond any more as I do not like to be put in a position as the bay guy who has to break the news that their worthless rock will not make them the latest millionaire. This is what happens when the media focuses too much on the monetary aspect of meteorite collecting. It out weighs any educational benefit this type of show may have provided. The state Washington and Oregon suddenly announced their no collecting policy on federal land; the timing is uncanny. A lot of scam artists will also attach themselves if the smell of easy money is present. One just has to look at the most expensive meteorites on eBay to see this effect. Now, there is always a few fakes listed in the top dollar page. I would hate to see meteorite hunting/collecting go the way treasure hunting did 25 years ago when the avocation almost went extinct, mainly due to the press. Professional treasure hunters now avoid the press when values are put up. Just look at the Mel Fisher group who had to fight for a decade to keep a good portion of their major find due to the fact the press attached a billion dollar price tag to it. Everybody seemed to have a claim on it when they didn't lift a finger to find it. The press made it look
