h a l f b a k e r yThink of it as a spell checker that insults you, as well.
add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random
news, help, about, links, report a problem
browse anonymously,
or get an account
and write.
register,
|
|
|
We have a study. This is a new development that has
occurred behind a door I'd been disregarding. Largely I'm
happy about it since the lighting is gentle and it's been
explained that a cocktail station will be installed.
Obviously, a study needs a globe. In an effort to help, I
did
a little
shopping. The selection is inadequate, most have
to
be turned by hand and very few show how the empire is
going.
The solution, in addition to clearly marking the colonies,
is
a better globe.
Firstly, it should rotate automatically, clockwork or even
that new stuff with the magnets. I'd like it to rotate once
every 24hrs, like the proper one. For extra points, it
can tilt to simulate the seasons
Secondly, it should be illuminated. There are illuminated
globes, designed by the mentally feeble which just make
the whole globe glow like a cheap light shade. Instead,
the
internal illumination should simulate the intensity and
spectrum of the actual sunlight apparent to the Earth's
surface. The globe should rotate around this light so that
countries move through dawn, noon and dusk at the
appropriate times. If a clever internal projection is used,
cities and roads etc can light up on the night side. Really
clever internal projection/spherical screen could show
live
clouds, electrical storms, oilfield fires or the hurricane
that will ultimately destroy the trinket.
Now you can simply place this at any orientation you
like,
you can stare at the dawn line waiting for it to glint on
the
peaks of the Himalaya, or you can turn it so noon is
facing
you and it's a nice lamp. It would also be a useful
reference of what time of day it is at any point on the
globe, so you don't wake your brother up at 5 am.
I'm annoyed this fairly obvious thing doesn't exist, the
globe industry should be ashamed.
MOVA, at least it turns.
https://www.movaglobes.com/ [bs0u0155, Nov 20 2018]
Just 3d print this in two halves.
https://www.youtube...watch?v=YjkP1BcwLNI [2 fries shy of a happy meal, Nov 21 2018]
Globe that shows constellations at night.
https://www.amazon....c=1#customerReviews [doctorremulac3, Nov 26 2018]
Animated News Globe
Animated_20News_20Globe Previous discussion of this kind of idea [hippo, Nov 27 2018]
[link]
|
|
This seems like an entirely reasonable idea, which could be
implemented and would be both practical and pleasing. Even
so, [+]. |
|
|
//This seems like an entirely reasonable idea, which could
be implemented and would be both practical and
pleasing.// |
|
|
My apologies. I was upset, this was not my intention. |
|
|
It's OK. Just don't let it happen again. |
|
|
How about a version where it shows the city lights at
night on the dark side of the globe? Have the lights
go on at dusk and off at dawn in realistic fashion? |
|
|
Great idea, [doc]. I bet [bs0] wishes he'd thought of that in
his fifth paragraph. |
|
|
// clockwork or even that new stuff with the magnet // |
|
|
If this is to be a suitable adornment for the study of a Gentleman, then it should be powered by a tiny beam-engine crafted from brass and steel, with jewel bearings, on a mahogany base, and with enough ivory inlay that an entire herd of elephants has to be slaughtered to provide sufficient tusks. |
|
|
The boiler could be integrated with the fireplace. |
|
|
While the bearings will be maintenance-free, the stuffing gland on the piston rod will require periodic lubrication. This could be an additional duty for the tubercular pre-teen child who sweeps the study chimney, and is otherwise kept in a cage in the cellars. |
|
|
Little grey Space Aliens; they fly in and out through the holes at the poles. |
|
|
This is, after all, a fully realistic model of your planet. |
|
|
Since there will be a constant, if limited, supply of moderately high pressure steam, this could also be employed by a servant to prepare hot beverages such as coffee, in addition to cocktails. |
|
|
//powered by a tiny beam-engine// |
|
|
An elegant solution. In addition, here in the colonies, the
extra heat and humidity of a steam engine would add to
the general agreeableness of the study environment.
Sadly, colonial summers are oppressive. To solve the
problem, it might be practical to run the globe using a
belt from the general purpose domestic line shaft. This
would confine the heat, steam, noise, and stokers to the
basement where the main engine is kept, just next to the
cages. |
|
|
The globe's belt will need occasional dressing so the
tubercular child will still need to attend to the device. It
is, of course, inappropriate to stop such a time-sensitive
device so belt dressing should be done while it's running. I
see no need to deviate from the 500hp belt that has
become a reliable standard, interference from errant
staff limbs notwithstanding. |
|
|
I like this. You should start with a spherical lithopane of Earth. [link] skip to the end if you just want to see the finished result but the making of is very cool to watch. |
|
|
If you could change the colors of the led's on the slowly rotating inner projector I think you could get a lot of the effect you're after. |
|
|
Look, would everyone please stop blabbering on about
tubercular children? They're already getting difficult to find,
and if everyone starts wanting one the situation will become
utterly impossible. |
|
|
Presumably this globe will be installed in the very centre of
the study, so that the matching moon can move in its orbit
without hitting the walls? |
|
|
The average distance between your planet and its binary companion is about 30 planetary diameters. If the study is a typical 4m x 4m area, then the average radius of the moon's orbit - to scale - is at most 1.95m, rather less if you have deep bookcases. |
|
|
Scaling the "globe" to match, that gives an oblate spheroid of 1900/30 = 63mm diameter, about the size of a billiard ball. Not very impressive ... |
|
|
// They're already getting difficult to find // |
|
|
Tell the child-catcher to follow the sound of coughing. |
|
|
//If the study is a typical 4m x 4m area// |
|
|
You'll disturb his lordship. If he bothers to convert those
units he'll start asking awkward questions about how the
typical study can be smaller than his safari blotter. |
|
|
Oh, wait! You're using "m" for _metres_?? |
|
| |