HARPER@CSC.FI ("Robert Harper Finland", CSC) (04/09/91)
Well I had a most interesting afternoon on Cleveland Freenet (129.22.8.82)
Anyone can log into the system through telnet to 129.22.8.82 as a VISITOR.
When you log in you are presented with menus that take you to different
places on the campus... for instance the library, where you can get all sorts
of library services, the administration building, where you can get advice
about the University, the cafe and kioski, for informal chating. They
did not have a Bionet laboratory but I guess it would be pretty easy to
fabricate one:-)
There is alot to explore on Cleveland freenet, and the concept of making
different Bboards into cafe's and kioski's means that the techno-jargon
which can be so off putting is done away with, and the mechanics of posting
or replying to mail is completly hidden from the user. Within the framework
of a "simulated space shuttle" the kids learnt to prepare text on a PC
upload it into a computer conferencing system, review and reply to
messages... all without being encumbered by network addresses and the rest
of the gobbledegook that makes telecommunications so difficult.
If you get a chance login today and at the ==> prompt type GO ACADEMY
and select 12 which deals with the space shuttle simulation. There should
be direct contact between the kids in Cleveland and the real shuttle in space.
Last night on Finnish TV 1.5 min was given to news about the real shuttle,
and 3.5min was given to the "simulated shuttle" involving a small Finnish
school on the west coast at Evijarvi. The IRC session had kids in Finland
talking to their counterparts in America. The Finnish ministry of education
were pleased with this experiment in "long distance education".
The Cleveland Free-net concept should get wider recognition.
Personally I don't know who was most surprised by the success of the operation
the adults who were observing, or the children who were taking part.
Below is a couple of clips from "mission control" in Cleveland.
**** CLIP from KIDS IN SPACE on Cleveland Free-net ****
This is Mission Control for my second to last update before they
land.
They have had quite an eventful hour.
After they finished the models they were visited by some quite
important people (Impersonations)
First was Walter Cronquite from CBS radio. He questioned the
Astronauts about how they were feeling.
Next was George Bush and he said he hopes that every thing goes well.
Leonard Nimoy also hoped that the Shuttle made it home safely.
The Astronauts also used the tredmill and had a medical check.
Now the Astronauts are preparing their logs and practicing for the
land.
Just a few minutes ago the position was
Lat-26.609
Lon-108.810
Alt-209.391km.
NNA of La Paz, Mexico
--
University School
24 Hour Space Shuttle Simulation
Space Shuttle "Centennial"
Date: Mon Apr 8 15:57:44 1991
The "Centennial" space shuttle touched down at Edwards at 3:22
EDST or 1922 UTC. The mission return a few minutes early due to a
slight rise in cabin interior temperature. All astronauts were in
good condition and overjoyed at the success of their mission.
The crew sends thanks to all stations for updates and information
and expressed their excitement about having the mission acknowledged
in California, Willoughby, and Finland. The astronauts were
also excited about a fax message received at mission control form
the Evijarvi landing site. Thanks.
The astronauts did not REALLY talk to Cronkite, Nimoy, Bush, and
all. One of our students, a talented impersonator, provided the
voices. He's good, but the crew says they were not really fooled.
The crew is very excited about tomorrow as they prepare to talk
to the real astronauts aboard STS-37. We expect a raft of media
personnel and visitors from other schools (inlcuding Willoughby).
Channel 5 TV was here and shot video which will be shown at
5:00-6:00 PM and possible at 11:00 PM. They will also return
tomorrow.
This report will conclude "Centennial" official reports.
Thanks to all.
R.E. Morgan, mission director
Tim Dedula, NASA technical advisor.
thanks for all the other messages. Running the simulation,
doing the ham radio operation, and posting to Free-net makes
it impossible for us to respond to individual messages as
they are sent. We're just too busy.
--
University School
24 Hour Space Shuttle Simulation
Space Shuttle "Centennial"
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