To: atm{at}shore.net
From: tkrajci{at}san.osd.mil
Reply-To: tkrajci{at}san.osd.mil


>From: Clive Milne 
>
>http://monroe.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Classroom+Pages/Mathematics/Mr.+Marti
>nez/Telescope.html
>
>     It's important to view the comments of Tom & Dan on this
>telescope in the context of using it as a learning experience
>and not be discouraged or offended.  These are two individuals that
>have an intuitive understanding of mechanical structures....

Thank you for the kind words.

I was not born with intuitive understanding of mechanical structures.
(Assuming I have such a skill.)

I got it through building, reading, thinking, re-building...in a learning cycle.

Right now I can't build.  Uzbekistan is a lousy place to find raw
materials.  However I'm translating a book on ATMing from Russian to
English.  I've started the chapter on mechanics/design
principles/mountings.  The (for me) slow, painful process of translating
this material is helping me firm up my understanding of some design
principles.  When I get back to a place where I can build again...I'll be
better prepared to come up with decent designs...or better able to evaluate
designs of others (and hopefully able to learn from their work).

My point:  do you want to develop an 'intuitive feel' for ATMing (or
anything else, for that matter)?  Repetition and analysis...over and over.

Tom Krajci
Tashkent, Uzbekistan

PS.  I'm a bit over half way in the translation.  Slow going now with
inspectors at my shop...congressional delegations and military commanders
visiting the region...all wanting information briefings, etc.  By late
August I hope things will settle down.  Eventually this translated material
will be available.

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