Yes, it can prevent dangerous and expensive mistakes and help the build
No, laser building should remain a mystery and the danger to eyes is part of the fun
You should forget the lawnmower and batten down the hatches for the (3) hurricanes heading our way -or- take the cruise -- I think I'd choose the latter if they can outrun the storms imho-- Damn, a cruise-- sounds like fun.. can we all join you?
Well, I've got to get the grass cut before the storm hits. Otherwise it will be another week before things dry out enough for me to cut it, and by then I'll need a machete to get through my yard!
Good news is I figured out what was wrong with the mower. Got a new carb on the way to fix it. Should be here tomorrow.
You all could certainly have come along, and it *is* a laser cruise. Well, sort of. This year ILDA is holding it's annual meeting on a cruise ship. It's a 5 day cruise leaving out of Miami with 3 port calls: Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau. Interior cabins were just $349 per person (based on double occupancy). The whole damn cruise (including taxes, port fees, fuel surcharges, and all tips PREPAID) is only costing me a total of $960. (Yeah, that covers me and my wife!) The only thing extra we have to pay for is booze, excursions, and souvenirs. (Details here.)Damn, a cruise-- sounds like fun.. can we all join you?
Oh yeah, and there is a "Lase-off" that will be held on-board... This is where ILDA members bring their best original shows and have a competition to see who has the coolest show. And yeah, you don't have to be a member of ILDA to see the show. Plus they're having a Pangolin user's group meeting on-board. So it's sort of like a mini-SELEM on a cruise ship. Except I won't be bringing any equipment.
Only problem is that it leaves on Monday, Sept 8th, which is right about the time that Hurricane Ike is predicted to be in the Bahamas. We'll see I guess. (Worst case, they will divert to other ports of call.)
Adam
You should show the Laser Titanic show that is on the Moncha website. That would be a hoot.
Only problem is that we might be sailing into a storm. If someone played that show and then later in the night something happened to the ship, I think they'd want to lynch all the laserists!
Seriously though, I'm really looking forward to the cruise. I need a vacation - big time!
Adam
So how did you end up on the cruise? I knew about the cruise because I am an ILDA member but I don't think I ever saw any information posted about it elsewhere. Have a good time!
Clandestiny and I talked about it back in late May. A couple days later I spoke to Hayden about it, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. I told my wife about it and she loved the idea (she likes cruises!), so we went ahead and signed up around the 1st of June.
I spoke to several other PL members about the cruise at that time, but no one else could manage to get the time off to go. It sure is one hell of a deal though. The last cruise I went on cost me $1295 per person for just the cabin (same class of cabin - interior stateroom), not counting tips, taxes, or fees. That was for a 7 day cruise with 1 more port call than this one.
Adam
What about laser design theory and general operations? Like the explanation of cavity arrangement, pumping issues, thermal lensing compensation, mode volume of specific crystals and related efficiency tables, A/R and H/R coatings in depth. This may be a bit more than can be done in a couple of years but it should go towards aiding in the understanding of laser fundamentals for those who want to DIY out in the world. It should be backed with sound, logical and proven tactics used to construct a laser of any type. There may be patent infringement issue here....maybe not-so-good idea. There is a way to create RGB with one common pump source....532-457-658nm respectively. I did not say it was easy or the optics cheap. Sort of a laser-wiki?
You are the only one that can make your dreams come true....and the only one that can stop them...A.M. Dietrich