texascavers Digest 3 Aug 2012 07:31:42 -0000 Issue 1602
Topics (messages 20450 through 20468):
Re: Help - speed, tire size change
20450 by: Jon Cradit
20455 by: Fritz Holt
20458 by: Mimi Jasek
20459 by: Logan McNatt
20460 by: Mimi Jasek
Paging Ryan Fabich
20451 by: Mark.Alman.L-3com.com
16th ICS registration is open!
20452 by: Fofo
tire size and mileage
20453 by: Mixon Bill
Kiwi Sink dig
20454 by: Gill Edigar
Re: Final Revised TSA Members List
20456 by: Fritz Holt
20457 by: Denise P
Re: tire change help
20461 by: Mimi Jasek
Waller Creek Flood Tunnel
20462 by: Justin Haynes
sinkhole collapse captured on video
20463 by: Geary Schindel
2013 International Congress fees
20464 by: Mixon Bill
New Rabies Announcement
20465 by: Preston Forsythe
ethanol-free gas stations
20466 by: Sam Young
Texas Caver on the Karst Information Portal
20467 by: George Veni
20468 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Begin Message ---
That is exactly what I was thinking Philip.
Mimi, what you could do is find a stretch of IH35 where you can drive 60mph for
several uninterrupted miles. Using the interstate mile markers on the side of
the road accurately time how long it takes you to drive several miles at your
presumed 60mph. This should let you know how much your speed-o-meter (and
od-o-meter) are off.
Jon Cradit
-----Original Message-----
From: philipm...@juno.com [mailto:philipm...@juno.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 7:31 AM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Help - speed, tire size change
Mimi,
While most everything said is accurate enough, one important factor has been
left out. Your current mileage is better than you think; your odometer and
speedometer are different measurements by the same instrument. Since your
speedometer is under-reporting your speed, your odometer is also
under-reporting your mileage. Some of your "mileage loss" is not lost and is
merely appearing to be lost just because you are traveling more miles than your
odometer records.
If you have an electronic speedometer, like almost all vehicles do these days
like my 2001 Dodge, you can have the speedometer recalibrated for not much. I
had mine done last month for $16 and it just takes a few minutes.
Recalibration helps check your mileage accurately because your nominal or even
measured tire diameter is not the rolling diameter and it helps avoid speeding
tickets.
An example of rolling diameter vs. manufacturer's stated diameter: My tire
diameter is 36.3 inches, but according to my GPS and my calculations, my
rolling diameter is only 34.75 inches (580 revolutions per mile vs. 555
revolutions per mile). Tires are not steel wheels and have considerable
deformation while driving.
Philip Moss
philipm...@juno.com
____________________________________________________________
Woman is 57 But Looks 27
Mom publishes simple facelift trick that angered doctors...
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/501921e481b2d21e4584dst51vuc
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Much of this technical tire talk is a bit too complicated for me but I have a
couple of thoughts on the subject. By the way, can anyone tell me a brand of
gasoline or a retail distributor that does not have ethanol in the product?
Using corn or even sugar cane is an uneconomical (government) solution to a
problem that I doubt exists. Back to gas mileage, tires and speed. The wider
the tread (foot print, the greater the rolling resistance. Better gas mileage
can be achieved by slightly overinflating the tires to decrease rolling
resistance but may result in uneven or greater tire wear in the center of the
tire. Starting and stopping produces the greatest wear in overinflated tires,
or in any tires. I would recommend inflating about two to three pounds over
tire manufacturer's recommendations but never below although it gives a
slightly softer ride. By far the biggest deterrent to good gas mileage is speed
and a heavy foot while accelerating. The legal speed limits continue to
increase in some areas which if exercised, equals lower gas mileage. When the
speed limit is 70 and above and you are not in a hurry, driving 10 MPH below
the posted limit insures more MPG. Best to ignore the 75 and 80 MPH postings.
There are other benefits too numerous to mention to driving at lower speeds. I
don't always practice what I preach. Fritz
-----Original Message-----
From: vivb...@att.net [mailto:vivb...@att.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 7:14 AM
To: Mimi Jasek
Cc: TexasCavers
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Help - speed, tire size change
Another reason you're mileage will drop is that the increased tire diameter
will raise you slightly higher relative to the ground, which will increase your
wind resistance. Wind resistance is the main reason mileage drops so fast at
higher speeds too.
-Vivian Loftin
--- On Wed, 8/1/12, Mimi Jasek <mjca...@gmail.com> wrote:
> From: Mimi Jasek <mjca...@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Help - speed, tire size change
> To: "Diana Tomchick" <diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu>
> Cc: "TexasCavers" <texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 12:01 AM
> Ok, Diana, Nico, and Karl, thanks so
> much. A lot of what you all said was close to some of what I
> thought, but you defined it for me.
>
> I will use your info to try to solve our problem, and for
> now just slow down.
>
> Lost 5+ mpg, which to me is a lot, for the cookie jar has no
> funds for stock.
>
> If others reply to help, it will be tomorrow before I get
> back to mail. Last load of laundry calls to be put away,
> then this tired lady must go to sleep before another work
> day starts:)
>
> Mimi
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jul 31, 2012, at 11:42 PM, Diana Tomchick
> <diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu>
> wrote:
>
> > Mimi,
> >
> > A simple back-of-the-envelope calculation would be to
> divide the current tire circumference by the previous tire
> circumference. This would give you an estimate of the
> fractional difference the new, larger tire would travel for
> each revolution of the tire. Using the numbers you supplied
> gives a value of approximately 1.071. If you are used to
> driving at 60 m.p.h., in theory the new tires would
> actually be taking you at 60 x 1.071 = 64.26 m.p.h.
> >
> > Of course this is a pretty simplistic estimate.
> >
> > If you want to maximize your gas mileage, that's a more
> complicated experiment that would need you to fill your gas
> tank (be sure to always use the same type of gas--the higher
> the percentage of ethanol, the lower your mile per gallon),
> drive a set distance at different speeds and re-fill the
> tank to see how much you used. Oh, and be sure that the
> prevailing wind speed and direction is the same every time
> you repeat the drive at the different speeds.
> >
> >
> > Diana
> >
> >
> ********************************************************
> > Diana R. Tomchick
> > Professor
> > Dept. of Biochemistry
> > University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
> > 5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
> > Dallas, TX 75390-8816
> > (214) 645-6383 (office)
> > (214) 418-5827 (cell)
> > diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
> >
> > On Jul 31, 2012, at 11:09 PM, "Mimi Jasek" <mjca...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Ok, I need help. I have a Ford Escape that we use
> as our main caving vehicle due to great gas mileage. Due to
> age, miles, and need for stronger sidewalls and better
> traction, we traded our old tires for new. Love them, but
> because bigger, noticed huge drop in gas mileage at same
> speeds used to traveling, and I seem to be staying up with
> or passing everyone!!
> >>
> >> Old = P235/70R16 normal street tires
> >>
> >> New = LT245/75R16 E Toyo OPAT OWL 120Q
> >>
> >> Don't want a speeding ticket, and need my good mpg
> back, or close to it. Can anyone tell me how much to
> decrease my speed, and if the reduction is the same for all
> speeds? If not the same, how much decrease at what
> increments?
> >>
> >> I believe my old tires were 28" diameter (spare is
> that) with 7.33' circumference, and new are 30" with 7.85'
> circumference.
> >>
> >> I have to believe there are more than enough math
> wiz/ tire savvy folks out there to get me some answers, but
> if I am asking the impossible, tell me. I do have a
> tachometer as well as a speedometer if that helps.
> >>
> >> For us, mpg means a lot due to cost of gas, and
> determines how many trips we make. I would really appreciate
> any help anyone can give me.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Mimi Jasek
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> >> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
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> >> For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
> >>
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > UT Southwestern Medical Center
> > The future of medicine, today.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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>
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Well, as the saying goes, ask and you shall receive - something Jim told me I
would. I just did not realize the wealth and breadth of information I would
get. Each and every reply gave me something I can use, and many made me realize
how many things are tied together to achieve what I want. We have work to do,
but guidance to reach the result I need and want.
I LOVE my new tires, and will get the mpg I need from them with all your help,
plus the performance and added safety I need when off road.
Most people I know in my life away from caving just really don't get why I do
what I do, or how I can enjoy it. This response to a request for help from the
community I have the privilege of belonging to is one huge reason, and I will
not forget it.
Thank you all again, and here's to many more trips.
Mimi
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 1, 2012, at 7:31 AM, philipm...@juno.com wrote:
> Mimi,
> While most everything said is accurate enough, one important factor has
> been left out. Your current mileage is better than you think; your
> odometer and speedometer are different measurements by the same
> instrument. Since your speedometer is under-reporting your speed, your
> odometer is also under-reporting your mileage. Some of your "mileage
> loss" is not lost and is merely appearing to be lost just because you are
> traveling more miles than your odometer records.
>
> If you have an electronic speedometer, like almost all vehicles do these
> days like my 2001 Dodge, you can have the speedometer recalibrated for
> not much. I had mine done last month for $16 and it just takes a few
> minutes. Recalibration helps check your mileage accurately because your
> nominal or even measured tire diameter is not the rolling diameter and it
> helps avoid speeding tickets.
>
> An example of rolling diameter vs. manufacturer's stated diameter: My
> tire diameter is 36.3 inches, but according to my GPS and my
> calculations, my rolling diameter is only 34.75 inches (580 revolutions
> per mile vs. 555 revolutions per mile). Tires are not steel wheels and
> have considerable deformation while driving.
>
> Philip Moss
> philipm...@juno.com
> ____________________________________________________________
> Woman is 57 But Looks 27
> Mom publishes simple facelift trick that angered doctors...
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/501921e481b2d21e4584dst51vuc
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
> For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Mimi, you probably know of "Click and Clack", those "Car Talk" brothers on National Public Radio. They just retired, but they would have loved
a question like yours! The responses to your question clearly show that there are plenty of cavers on this list (and everywhere) who could fill
in for them quite well!
On 8/1/2012 10:09 PM, Mimi Jasek wrote:
Well, as the saying goes, ask and you shall receive - something Jim told me I
would. I just did not realize the wealth and breadth of information I would
get. Each and every reply gave me something I can use, and many made me realize
how many things are tied together to achieve what I want. We have work to do,
but guidance to reach the result I need and want.
I LOVE my new tires, and will get the mpg I need from them with all your help,
plus the performance and added safety I need when off road.
Most people I know in my life away from caving just really don't get why I do
what I do, or how I can enjoy it. This response to a request for help from the
community I have the privilege of belonging to is one huge reason, and I will
not forget it.
Thank you all again, and here's to many more trips.
Mimi
Sent from my iPhone
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I actually do not know of them, for the only radio I listen to is to and from
work in my car, and only music! Gets my head ready for work, and clears it for
real life after!
But your assessment of the cavers who helped me is spot on - they ROCK!!!
Talent immeasurable and beyond - in so many areas!
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 1, 2012, at 10:26 PM, Logan McNatt <lmcn...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
> Mimi, you probably know of "Click and Clack", those "Car Talk" brothers on
> National Public Radio. They just retired, but they would have loved a
> question like yours! The responses to your question clearly show that there
> are plenty of cavers on this list (and everywhere) who could fill in for them
> quite well!
>
>
> On 8/1/2012 10:09 PM, Mimi Jasek wrote:
>> Well, as the saying goes, ask and you shall receive - something Jim told me
>> I would. I just did not realize the wealth and breadth of information I
>> would get. Each and every reply gave me something I can use, and many made
>> me realize how many things are tied together to achieve what I want. We have
>> work to do, but guidance to reach the result I need and want.
>>
>> I LOVE my new tires, and will get the mpg I need from them with all your
>> help, plus the performance and added safety I need when off road.
>>
>> Most people I know in my life away from caving just really don't get why I
>> do what I do, or how I can enjoy it. This response to a request for help
>> from the community I have the privilege of belonging to is one huge reason,
>> and I will not forget it.
>>
>> Thank you all again, and here's to many more trips.
>>
>> Mimi
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I need your current address.
Your TEXAS CAVER bounced back to me.
Thanks!
Mark
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Howdy!
The registration to the 16th International Congress of Speleology in
Brno, Czech Republic is open!
- Fofo
-------- Original Message --------
Dear Colleagues, Dear Caving Friends,
I am pleased to inform you, that the registration for 16ICS is already
open!
For your personal registration, booking an accommodation and making a
reservations for excursions and field trips, you can use the on-line
registration form, or paper-form, which you can download from website,
filled it and send us back by fax, or as attachment by e-mail.
Detailed information about fees, accommodation and excursions you can
find on Congress website www.speleo2013.com , and also in recently
published 2nd Circular.
Since now, you can also submit your papers. For easy submission we
prepared on-line form and template, where you can copy your contribution
very easily. More details you can also find on Congress website.
I hope to see you in Brno in July 2013!
Zdenek Motycka
Chairman of 16th International Congress of Speleology
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Mimi -- Both your speedometer _and_ your odometer were affected by the
change in tire size. With the larger tires, you are going more miles
than your odometer shows. This will show up as supposedly reduced gas
mileage. Calibrate both your speedometer and your odometer against
some mile markers on I-35. (To do the speedometer, get somebody to
time a mile in seconds while you drive a steady speed and then divide
that into 3600 to get MPH. Do it several times to get an average.). --
Mixon
----------------------------------------
Forgive your enemies . . . after they are hanged.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Kiwi Sink Digging Project will be in operation again this coming
Sunday, 5 August 2012 at 444 Billie Brooks Lane 78619 in Rolling Oaks,
Hays County, Texas, USA sometime after 10 a.m. Bring plenty of
drinkables and something to eat for lunch. For more info call me
(don't text) at 410-303-1177.
--Ediger
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Denise,
I am sure the appreciation is unanimous. I am pleased to receive a current list.
Fritz
________________________________
From: Carl Kunath [mailto:carl.kun...@suddenlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 10:18 PM
To: pepabe...@hotmail.com; TexasCavers
Subject: [Texascavers] Re: Final Revised TSA Members List
Denise, thanks very much for your persistence and hard work on this membership
list and for your service to TSA in general. We are fortunate to have you
working for us.
===Carl Kunath
From: Denise Prendergast<mailto:denisep...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 6:58 PM
To: pepabe...@hotmail.com<mailto:pepabe...@hotmail.com>
Subject: Final Revised TSA Members List
OK, this is the last version I will be sending out this year. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Denise Prendergast
TSA Secretary
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
You're quite welcome!
From: fh...@townandcountryins.com
To: carl.kun...@suddenlink.net; pepabe...@hotmail.com;
Texascavers@texascavers.com
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2012 11:32:45 -0500
Subject: RE: [Texascavers] Re: Final Revised TSA Members List
Denise,
I am sure the appreciation is unanimous. I am pleased to receive a current list.
Fritz
From: Carl Kunath [mailto:carl.kun...@suddenlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 10:18 PM
To: pepabe...@hotmail.com; TexasCavers
Subject: [Texascavers] Re: Final Revised TSA Members List
Denise, thanks very much for your persistence and hard work on this membership
list and for your service to TSA in general. We are fortunate to have you
working for us.
===Carl Kunath
From: Denise Prendergast
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 6:58 PM
To: pepabe...@hotmail.com
Subject: Final Revised TSA Members List
OK, this is the last version I will be sending out this year. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Denise Prendergast
TSA Secretary
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Not sure this went out properly, so here it is again. Some who helped did not
receive this:) By the way, you all ROCK!
Well, as the saying goes, ask and you shall receive - something Jim told me I
would. I just did not realize the wealth and breadth of information I would
get. Each and every reply gave me something I can use, and many made me realize
how many things are tied together to achieve what I want. We have work to do,
but guidance to reach the result I need and want.
I LOVE my new tires, and will get the mpg I need from them with all your help,
plus the performance and added safety I need when off road.
Most people I know in my life away from caving just really don't get why I do
what I do, or how I can enjoy it. This response to a request for help from the
community I have the privilege of belonging to is one huge reason, and I will
not forget it.
Thank you all again, and here's to many more trips.
Mimi
Sent from my iPhone
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Is anyone keeping up with this tunnel from a geological perspective?
At 85 feet deep and ~20 feet in diameter, I wonder about the rock
there and if they are likely to hit any caves. I also wonder if they
know whether or not they will hit any caves and what could possibly
happen if they do so. Is there any typical features of caves that
exist that close to the Colorado River? Is such a cave likely in this
area?
http://www.tunneltalk.com/Waller-Creek-Apr11-Austin-Waller-Creek-flood-tunnel.php
http://www.espeyconsultants.com/projects/waller_creek.php5
Thanks,
Justin
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/world/2012/08/02/vo-taiwain-teipei-sinkhole.cnn<http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/world/2012/08/02/vo-taiwain-teipei-sinkhole.cnn>
Check out the link on CNN about a catastrophic sinkhole collapse. This poor
guys gets swallowed alive. Makes you want to think the next time you're
jumping into the bottom of a sinkhole.
You may have to copy and paste this into your browser.
Geary
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Someone was complaining after the UT Grotto meeting that the fees for
the pre- and post-congress trips were not on the web site of the
coming International Congress of Speleology in July 2013 in Brno,
Czech Republic. Yes they are:
The home page of the congress is http://www.speleo2013.com/
The registration fees are given on http://www.speleo2013.com/page/show/fees
Other fees, including camping and housing, Wednesday trips and pre and
post trips, are at
http://www.speleo2013.com/pdf/pricelist.pdf
A summary of all information about the congress, including fees and
maps, is in the second circular at http://www.speleo2013.com/pdf/2-circular-200dpi.pdf
I recommend downloading that, as it also contains travel suggestions,
info on visas (not needed for US citizens; see http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/list_of_states_whose_citizens_are_exempt/index.html)
, etc.
All prices are given in Czeck Korunas. Currently US$1 = CzK20.85. --
Mixon
----------------------------------------
Forgive your enemies . . . after they are hanged.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
http://news.yahoo.com/vampire-bat-bites-help-shield-peruvians-rabies-114430410.html
Yahoo News this afternoon.
Preston in Muhlenberg Co., KY
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Fritz Holt asked: By the way, can anyone tell me a brand of gasoline or a
retail distributor that does not have ethanol in the product?
Here is a list of the stations in Texas which have ethanol-free gas. Alas, you
will notice that there are no large Texas cities in the list:
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=TX
........ Sam
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
A couple of years ago the TSA directors agreed that I could send my complete
collection of The Texas Caver for scanning and free digital access the Karst
Information Portal (www.karstportal.org). The process took longer than I
thought, but the reasons were worth the wait.
The Karst Information Portal is created by a partnership of the National
Cave and Karst Research Institute, University of South Florida,
International Union of Speleology, and the University of New Mexico. Its
purpose is to serve as a free, open access research tool for anyone and
anything related to caves and karst. Currently, the major effort going on
with the Portal is developing a major, digital, open access cave and karst
library. The Texas Caver is one of 70 newsletters and journals from 17
different countries currently available through the Portal.
While the Portal gets many offers from cavers wanting to help and offering
to do the scans, that isn't practical. The scanning, OCRing, metadata
documentation, and many hidden digital archiving features conducted by the
professional library staff at the University of South Florida is far beyond
what any person who doesn't work in a professional digital archiving
facility can achieve. Some of the hidden work is developing flexibility and
functionality, including for use with emerging technologies that aren't
currently available but will be in the future. That is much of what took the
extra time. Also, there was major upgrade of the Portal. I'll send a
separate announcement on that in a week or two, but I find the Portal easier
to use and more flexible, and there were behind-the-scenes and less obvious
upgrades I'll report on later.
Though my collection of The Texas Caver is complete, the online version on
the Portal is complete only through 2009; TSA decided to restrict access to
the most recent three years to only TSA members. Next year the 2010 issues
will be posted. Also, the Portal's collection is missing the issues for 1968
and 2001. My copies of 1968 and 2001 were too tightly bound and some of the
text for those years was hidden in the binding, but I'm now working to get
those issues from other sources.
While this message is mainly intended for Texas cavers, I know cavers from
around the country also read this list. If any of your would like your
newsletters posted on the Portal so information on what you're doing can be
more easily shared with the rest of the caving world, let me know and I'll
work with you to make that happen. Don't assume "It's just a grotto
newsletter and no big deal." Grotto and regional newsletters collectively
are the largest and most important sources of maps, descriptions, photos,
and other information on caves, and it is often not available anywhere else.
Now with the Karst Information Portal, your efforts can be more recognized,
appreciated, and of benefit to cavers everywhere.
George
***************************
George Veni, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
400-1 Cascades Avenue
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215 USA
Office: 575-887-5517
Mobile: 210-863-5919
Fax: 575-887-5523
gv...@nckri.org
www.nckri.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Excellent work, George. It's good to have the Texas Caver available to
the general community, especially the older issues which are very difficult
to find in most folks' collections or libraries.
Just to be fair, those that access the current version of the KIP archive
of the Texas Caver will find that the early issues are in grayscale rather
than color, and the scanning quality was fair but not great. Still, the
information is all there if not the aesthetic quality of the original. Note
that some of the newer issues are rather large files as the compressed pdf
versions were not used.
Jerry Atkinson
Texas Speleological Survey
*******************************************
In a message dated 8/3/2012 12:43:09 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
gv...@nckri.org writes:
A couple of years ago the TSA directors agreed that I could send my
complete collection of The Texas Caver for scanning and free digital access
the
Karst Information Portal (_www.karstportal.org_
(http://www.karstportal.org/) ). The process took longer than I thought, but
the reasons were worth the
wait.
The Karst Information Portal is created by a partnership of the National
Cave and Karst Research Institute, University of South Florida,
International Union of Speleology, and the University of New Mexico. Its
purpose is to
serve as a free, open access research tool for anyone and anything related
to caves and karst. Currently, the major effort going on with the Portal is
developing a major, digital, open access cave and karst library. The Texas
Caver is one of 70 newsletters and journals from 17 different countries
currently available through the Portal.
While the Portal gets many offers from cavers wanting to help and offering
to do the scans, that isn’t practical. The scanning, OCRing, metadata
documentation, and many hidden digital archiving features conducted by the
professional library staff at the University of South Florida is far beyond
what any person who doesn’t work in a professional digital archiving facility
can achieve. Some of the hidden work is developing flexibility and
functionality, including for use with emerging technologies that aren’t
currently
available but will be in the future. That is much of what took the extra
time. Also, there was major upgrade of the Portal. I’ll send a separate
announcement on that in a week or two, but I find the Portal easier to use and
more flexible, and there were behind-the-scenes and less obvious upgrades I’
ll report on later.
Though my collection of The Texas Caver is complete, the online version on
the Portal is complete only through 2009; TSA decided to restrict access
to the most recent three years to only TSA members. Next year the 2010
issues will be posted. Also, the Portal’s collection is missing the issues for
1968 and 2001. My copies of 1968 and 2001 were too tightly bound and some of
the text for those years was hidden in the binding, but I’m now working to
get those issues from other sources.
While this message is mainly intended for Texas cavers, I know cavers from
around the country also read this list. If any of your would like your
newsletters posted on the Portal so information on what you’re doing can be
more easily shared with the rest of the caving world, let me know and I’ll
work with you to make that happen. Don’t assume “It’s just a grotto
newsletter and no big deal.” Grotto and regional newsletters collectively are
the
largest and most important sources of maps, descriptions, photos, and other
information on caves, and it is often not available anywhere else. Now with
the Karst Information Portal, your efforts can be more recognized,
appreciated, and of benefit to cavers everywhere.
George
***************************
George Veni, Ph.D. Executive Director
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
400-1 Cascades Avenue
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215 USA
Office: 575-887-5517
Mobile: 210-863-5919
Fax: 575-887-5523
gv...@nckri.org
www.nckri.org
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