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Ahhh, D?j? vu:  The old electronic versus paper debate.  I first encountered
it 20 years ago, when I apprenticed.

Back then, the old guard frowned upon my calculating our position using the
least-squares method on a programmable calculator (good old Casio fx-602p,
still have it, still works!).  They were, of course, old school: paper, log
tables ('%^$#^% calculator buttons are too small') and a lot of experience.

Back then, both methods still relied on the printed Almanac, because the
computing power wasn't available yet to calculate your own.  But had it
been, I would not have hesitated to go completely electronic.

I like paper as much as the next person, and much prefer the feel of a book
in my hand to an electronic version on a screen.  But that doesn't mean
I let that keep me from using the best tool available for this job, and that
in my opinion is the calculator/computer. Why waste time on looking up
values in books if you can have a computer do it for you?  It will leave
more time for other important things, like keeping a look-out for other
ships.

The real challenge in CN isn't in the calculations anyway, it's in getting
good at actually shooting stars and planets accurately and consistently.  Of
course, there the oldtimers had me beat hands-down :-)

Sorry, I'm getting off-subject here.... Good memories have a way of doing
that, I suppose.

Anyway, getting back to a self-made Almanac: I suppose you are familiar with
this website, it has an 'Almanac generator' (and other excellent resources)
on it:

http://www.tecepe.com.br/nav/


Rino

-----Original Message-----
From: Navigation Mailing List [mailto:NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM]
On Behalf Of Fred Hebard
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 16:36
To: NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM
Subject: Re: Computer generated Almanac

Rino,

If I were out on the ocean in a small boat, I'd much rather have a
printed copy than an electronic one.

Fred

On Tuesday, Sep 9, 2003, at 16:22 US/Eastern, Rino van Dam wrote:

> Since Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office makes available the
> formulas
> needed to calculate values as they are printed in the NA (in the
> 'AstroNav
> PC...' book), I wouldn't worry too much about reproducing your own NA,
> with
> a layout similar to the original NA.
>
> I suspect they are much more relaxed about it than some members of this
> list... :-)  Within a few years the printed Almanac will be a thing of
> the
> past anyway, or at least a very distant second to computer based
> calculations.
>
> Rino
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Navigation Mailing List
> [mailto:NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM]
> On Behalf Of Jared Sherman
> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 12:10
> To: NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM
> Subject: Re: Computer generated Almanac
>
> George, let me try to rephrase this clearly.
>
>> From what is being said, one could boil it down to:
>
> "The USNO does not actually publish their own almanac tables, but only
> inserts some cover matter around the British HMNAO tables. So the USNO
> are
> simply acting as agents for the British and, as they are agents not
> authors,
> copyright is not what it would be for a US author."
>
> That's one issue to bed.
>
>  else copied that complex layout in every detail, typeface and all,>
>
> That's something else entirely. If one copies the *layout* of tables,
> it is
> unlikely to be copyright infringement due to the exemption for basic
> graphic
> materials. The specific example of this is a typical calendar layout,
> rows
> of seven days times 5 weeks, more or less. That "design" cannot be
> copyrighted. However, once you go beyond the basic utility of the
> design, if
> you start replicating those areas like typefaces, you are more likely
> to be
> found in violation. The finding is not a point of law, but a judicial
> finding on the specifics of the matter.
>
> I could probably make a case for saying "The basic layout of these
> tables is
> 100 years old, and the entire community of navigators worldwide has
> been
> trained to use the physical layout. Therefore, the layout is as a
> calendar,
> and exempt." But I'm never dare to try setting the matter with the
> exact
> same type. With upwards of 100,000 typefaces available on the market
> today,
> that would be like flying a mylar kite in a lightning storm. And
> graphically, I'm sure that the table matter itself could be presented
> in
> better form. Clearer, perhaps tighter, certainly using some of the
> skills of
> graphic design--which HMNO weren't paid to do.
>
> Since the actual "heart" of the almanac is simply the result of
> repetitive
> mathematical iteration, it is not creative work and unless the actual
> formula was protected (yes, there are protections for formulas too)
> anyone
> should be able to set up a loop on a computer and print out results to
> their
> heart's delight.
>
> Being neither a barrister, solicitor, Crown Counsel, or simple lawyer,
> I
> make no argument and give no advice except to say that in theory I
> should be
> capable of reading and understanding what my government has posted on
> this.
> And, at least I've read them.
>
>

   

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