.KEYWORD cebookmonth0799
.FLYINGHEAD Windows CE Power Book Club
.TITLE Joules, Jules and more jewels: a handful of science
.DEPT
.SUMMARY In this month’s installment of the Windows CE Power Book Club, Craig Froehle and John Swain, keepers of well-respected e-text repositories, explore science related e-books. This month they traverse the entire scope of modern scientific achievement (OK, so they write about some good e-books) and discuss the future-looking science of Jules Verne as well as provide great reference tools for students and professionals in the sciences.
.AUTHOR Craig Froehle and John Swain
Are you finding yourself in numerous awkward social situations with Nobel scientists where the small talk just doesn’t flow well? Are you beginning to think that "blinded by science" really might be a physical condition after all? This month we, your intrepid columnists, brave the murky waters of the ever-changing role of science fact and fiction, to bring you a wealth of science-related resources for your Windows CE device.
.H1 Science in literature
It would be almost impossible to discuss the role science has played in world literature without acknowledging the works of Jules Verne. Although numerous writers used the science of their times as fodder for their work, Verne elevated the marriage of literature and technical plausibility to new heights. His blending of accurate science and technology serves as a benchmark for the genre even today.
Despite Verne’s modern reputation as the preeminent literary evangelist of scientific progress, it shocks many readers to discover that he did not embrace science with same fervor that many of his novels suggest. It’s quite possible this popular misperception is a result of some of the poorly adapted and mercilessly abridged film versions of his most popular works.
Jules Verne’s earliest writings were distinctly critical of science and technology. This fact is echoed by the almost Orwellian tone of his recently rediscovered novel, Paris in the 20th Century. In fact, it was his publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel, who encouraged Verne to pursue pairing science and action in the robust narrative style that would ultimately lead to critical and financial success. From 1863 to until Hetzel’s death, Verne produced one profitable novel after another. With the loss of his publisher’s direction in 1886, Verne reverted to his earlier literary tones of environmentalism and socialism. He also began openly questioning the very existence of any benefits that science might bring to the troubled world he perceived.
Though Verne was neither a scientist nor engineer, he was an incredibly prolific writer. Today, many of his most popular works (such as A Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, and Around the World in 80 Days) are available in DOC editions.
Modern history is filled with individuals who credit the works of Jules Verne for helping, in part, to provide the vision for their achievements. So take a moment with one of these great works available for your Windows CE device and you may find yourself joining the likes William Beebe, Richard Byrd, Hermann Oberth, Konstantin Tsiolkovski and Neil Armstrong in championing the next great achievements in science and technology.
.H1 Science, not science fiction
While science fiction has no doubt played an important and influential role in the last two centuries, the natural sciences have contributed to improving our quality of life, have established new expectations for mankind, and have evoked fear in every 8th grader to ever have an Earth-Science midterm. For those of you interested in keeping scientific information and data in your Windows CE device, there are a myriad of documents and resources available to meet your needs.
First, no self-respecting chemistry student, or chemist for that matter, would think of leaving home without a periodic table. Several versions exist, including M. Carden’s plain text format and M. Hoffman’s DOC format. In addition, for those serious about their chemistry, SanSoft offers a set of DOC files entitled "Chemistry Set for PalmPilot". Even though the title would seem to indicate that this resource is only available for the PalmPilot, it (like almost all DOC files) can be read on your Windows CE Device using the DOCview application, available at Mike’s Palm-Sized PCs website (at http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Lab/3533/palm_sw.html), which also includes directions on using that piece of software. This chemistry set package includes information on the elements, critical chemical data, and a guide to hazardous materials, among other topics. More information on this package can be found at http://www.pdantic.com/chempp.htm.
Astronomers and backyard stargazers also have a wealth of documents at their disposal. Mike Nettles’ Messier Objects database contains information on 110 notable astral entities like the Crab Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy. "Just the Facts" Guide to the Solar System, by F. Martinez, offers detailed data on our own corner of the cosmos. SanSoft offers a set of DOC files on astronomy similar to their offering on chemistry; more information on "AstroHTML", designed specifically for Windows CE can be found at http://www.pdantic.com/astrohtm.htm. Non-document resources, like star-map programs, are also available for all you Windows CE Device-toting astronomers.
If you want to read up on man’s actual explorations of space, and compare and contrast them to Mr. Verne’s tall tales, several NASA documents are available in DOC format. NASA’s Space Flight FAQ answers many questions related to manned space travel, and NASA Space Flight 1997: Year-in-Review provides many mission-specific details about shuttle flights, satellite launches, and other ventures into space. And just in case there are some words you don’t understand, you can grab the NASA Jet Propulsion Labs Space Terminology Guide to help define words like "albedo" (no, that’s not what got Bill Clinton into trouble) and "magnetopause" [obvious joke deleted].
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So, whether you are a scientist or merely play one on TV, you can have your pick of science fiction and fact for your Windows CE device. Great works, like those of Jules Verne, are terrific reading any time and nothing perks up a party like a good game of "Guess That Molecule."
All of the above documents can be found at either MemoWare or The Lending Library.
.H1 How do I get Doc files into my Windows CE device?
Plain text (ASCII) files may be imported into Windows CE devices in a number of ways that are documented in your device’s instruction manual. Doc format files can be read on Windows CE devices using the DOCview application, available at Mike’s Palm-Sized PCs website (at http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Lab/3533/palm_sw.html), which also includes directions on using that piece of software.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
Visit MemoWare, maintained by Craig Froehle, at http://www.memoware.com.
Visit The Lending Library, maintained by John Swain, at http://www.macduff.net.
The DOCview application and directions for its use is available at Mike’s Palm-Sized PCs website at http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Lab/3533/palm_sw.html.
.END_SIDEBAR
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