Kevin R
sage
Reged: 03/29/08
Loc: Indiana
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Scope buddies forum?
#2327677 - 04/14/08 10:29 PM
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I had made this suggestion in the Feedback forum and it was suggested I make it here to see what response the idea got, so here it is…
When I used to scuba dive it was not uncommon for a person to show up to a dive and have his partner cancel on him or her. This led to the environment where two people who are complete strangers might end up spending the day together. By doing this, many a days diving was saved and many more new friends were made. Today, I am still friends with some of the people I met off the cuff.
So the idea was to set up a forum for ‘Scope Buddies’ or whatever you want to call it. This would allow people to get together without the constraints of a club environment or waiting weeks or months for a star party to roll around. Someone looking to go out (especially us newbies) could find people to view with and become more educated. It also would give an outlet for people who are on vacation or just in town and need to get the skinny on good viewing sites and perhaps just someone to view with.
A forum that is not so visited would not be helpful for this, but this forum is extremely active, so it might be beneficial to the people involved here.
So what do you all think?
Kevin (2)
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saxmaneagle
sage
Reged: 08/21/07
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: Kevin R]
#2327681 - 04/14/08 10:32 PM
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....I second the motion
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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Loc: Terra Firma
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: saxmaneagle]
#2327706 - 04/14/08 10:42 PM
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I'll be in Vero Beach during the full moon starting on the 20th until the 27th. I wonder how far I will be from Lakeland? I am going to bring my 3.5" refractor and a small tripod. I was hoping to at least see the Southern Cross and Omega Centauri.
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rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: Kevin R]
#2327731 - 04/14/08 11:01 PM
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Quote:
So what do you all think?
Actually, I think you have a very good idea there  . If I found that someone from my area was looking to get out, I'd certainly be game.
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LLD
Lucky so far
Reged: 11/14/05
Loc: Ma..
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: saxmaneagle]
#2327744 - 04/14/08 11:06 PM
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Sounds like a good idea to me! I've met a few local CN'ers Dave ( Bowmoreman) & Dave (Siriusly) and have had contact with a few other local CN'ers who hope to join us someday , We now have a group of 5 that meet at our local dark sky site's! We welcome any CN'ers who would like to get together for a night of observing to join us!
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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Loc: Terra Firma
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: LLD]
#2327752 - 04/14/08 11:09 PM
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Hey LLD,
I'm new here. Having some fun! I live in Central Mass. Where in Mass do you guys meet? Jim
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RussL
Music Maker
Reged: 03/18/08
Loc: Cayce and Lancaster, SC
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: Kevin R]
#2327773 - 04/14/08 11:19 PM
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I like the idea. I'd love to actually get to meet some CNers. 
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panhard
It's All Good
Reged: 01/20/08
Loc: Markham Ontario Canada
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: RussL]
#2327788 - 04/14/08 11:25 PM
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Sounds good. Although it would be another forun to monitor.
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Loc: Illinois, US
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: panhard]
#2327818 - 04/14/08 11:38 PM
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I like it, though, I wonder how many people we have around my area. Still, good idea.
Chris
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: panhard]
#2327823 - 04/14/08 11:40 PM
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Small world... my wife was born in Lakeland, Florida.
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Johnny D
sage
Reged: 12/11/06
Loc: Sacramento, CA
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: Kevin R]
#2327839 - 04/14/08 11:52 PM
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Quote:
So what do you all think?
I like it.
I'm thinking about the possible formats (in increasing order of complexity):
1. A simple forum where people post "Going to location X on date Y." People can post replies or PM the poster.
2. A forum with one thread for each "location" (city, region, etc) and a way to subscribe to a specific thread. A person could post to the "Western Mass" thread. People would see the post or be alerted via a subscription.
3. Ideally, the posts and subscriptions should also be available on a Google Earth map where people can post planned viewing sessions up to about a week in advance, and they are automatically removed after the date. This would allow people to search the map for events in their area.
Anybody got a little extra time on their hands?
-John
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LLD
Lucky so far
Reged: 11/14/05
Loc: Ma..
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: AstroRealtor]
#2327849 - 04/14/08 11:57 PM
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Jim Sent ya a PM ! We are in eastern Mass and observe in the Easton, Sharon area. And sometimes At least once a month in the Westford area! I'll bet that as more member's see this thread the more will like the idea!
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saxmaneagle
sage
Reged: 08/21/07
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: Johnny D]
#2327850 - 04/14/08 11:57 PM
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For what its worth....I live 45 mins drive north of Minneapolis, MN....and ANY clear night, thurs-saturday I'm game for viewing
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cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: saxmaneagle]
#2327887 - 04/15/08 12:25 AM
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I like this idea, I have a really inflexible work schedule which has me working on the weekends nearest the new moon, all this year. My club meets once a month, guess when... 
I'd like to get together with people in my area too. 
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jhors
Riddle me this
Reged: 07/16/07
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: cnstarz]
#2327896 - 04/15/08 12:29 AM
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I think it's a great idea!
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varmint
I invite more abuse
Reged: 02/10/07
Loc: Pacifica, CA, USA
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: jhors]
#2327918 - 04/15/08 12:49 AM
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"Ditto" comes to mind for me... 
I have tried a few normal posts to see if folks were in the areas I was visiting while on Business or Vacation but unfortunately I didn't quite give enough time.
But I think a dedicated forum would be beneficial, at least to try it out.
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saxmaneagle
sage
Reged: 08/21/07
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: Kevin R]
#2327966 - 04/15/08 01:31 AM
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A thought....
Down below, under the heading 'Specialty Forums', there is a topic.... "Astro Outreach, Clubs and Star Parties"
Perhaps an option, is to make a post like "Scope buddy - date - place"....then in the body state where, when u looking for a partner ?
In a way, guess you could say 2 ppl is a Star party ?
.....just a thought.
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Kevin R
sage
Reged: 03/29/08
Loc: Indiana
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: saxmaneagle]
#2327992 - 04/15/08 01:57 AM
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The Outreach forum seemed to me as more of a group thing. What I am suggesting here is a way to make astronomy more accessible by allowing just one or two people to get together on a personal basis. Star parties and clubs are great; don't get me wrong, but they are also few and far between.
To go back to my diving analogy from earlier, diving is has a few cardinal rules. Chief among them (after don't screw up the environment) is that you don't go out alone. The inherent dangers of diving require that someone be there to get your back should an emergency arise. This one precaution has had the benefit of bringing countless friends together because NO ONE wants to spend the time and effort and money (and it can be more expensive than astronomy) then have to cancel because someone didn't show or had a gear failure or some such nonsense. That is how the atmosphere has developed that people can hook up, even though they might be complete strangers. If you go to any of the major diving sites, or read Florida Scuba News (one of the diving periodicals), check the dive shops, or just show up at the boat, you will find people who are wanting to dive, but need a partner and want to find people who are in the same situation. This is not out of desperation, but out of love for the sport. Google the term 'Dive Buddies' and you'll see what I mean.
Here's a great example...
Dive Buddy Listings
I believe that kind of situation is also available here. There is no proscription against going out solo, but it sure is fun to go with another person. People just don't have a place to get the word out...
Edited by Kevin R (04/15/08 02:14 AM)
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saxmaneagle
sage
Reged: 08/21/07
Loc: Saint Francis, MN
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: Kevin R]
#2328002 - 04/15/08 02:11 AM
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Kevin, I totally understand.
I love your idea and the analogy is perfect.
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MacRoberts
sage
Reged: 08/25/05
Loc: Redlands, CA
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Re: Scope buddies forum?
[Re: saxmaneagle]
#2328100 - 04/15/08 05:12 AM
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What a great idea! I'm in if CN wants to give this a try.
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