by Max Barry

Latest Forum Topics

Advertisement

Search

Search

[+] Advanced...

Author:

Region:

Sort:

«12. . .44454647484950. . .6061»

The merry christmas wrote:Bilabao, may I call for a poll? Of these two contenders for our official map projection, I'd like to know which most prefer.

First is very close to what we're used to: an azimuthal (perspective) map centered on 90°N. This flavor of azimuth, the orthographic projection, is centuries old and still preferred among its kind for its balanced distortion of distance and area. Don't mind the hairy edge in my sample image; I'll get to that:

https://puu.sh/GYYzT/ae53156e0e.png

Second is the top hemisphere of a rolled out cylinder not dissimilar to the world famous Mercator projection. This type is exceedingly true to our relative distances though, obviously, there's some massive distortion of area near the poles. (Indeed it makes The Merry Christmas appear by far the greatest in all the world!) A printable and portable classic. And, were it lined out, potentially quite useful for old-style maritime trade.

https://puu.sh/GYYA9/883ecce50d.png

Thanks, everyone. Whichever we go with, the map is set to roll out at the top of next year. As are monthly reports on the history of cartography wherein we'll look at each of the many curious ways in which man has taken to charting a great sphere in two dimensions.

Update: Apologies to the Great Leader, Jong Un, whose holdings were partially grayed out in the making of these drafts. The fault is entirely my own. No offense was intended by this. Please find enclosed one ticket redeemable for 75% off next total purchase at any Christmas Town Arctic Apparel.

I wasn't sure how you wanted the poll phrased so I've appointed you RPPT (see WFE).

The merry christmas wrote:That card 261743... 00

???

The merry christmas

The merry christmas wrote:That card 261743... 00

Bilabao wrote:???

Sorry, in trying to express that I'm particularly impressed with this card (below), I refer to it using a piece of the url (261743). To just write out "X-mas" would have been easier and more effective, probably. The third element that might have been confusing here is my use of the "00." This is meant to resemble a pair of wide eyes, signifying astonishment.

page=deck/card=261743/season=1

And now the post is explained.

The merry christmas

Bilabao wrote:I wasn't sure how you wanted the poll phrased so I've appointed you RPPT (see WFE).

Okay, poll's up. The dispatch in the description shows what you're voting for.

I hereby tender my resignation as acting pollster with immediate effect.

The merry christmas wrote:Sorry, in trying to express that I'm particularly impressed with this card (below), I refer to it using a piece of the url (261743). To just write out "X-mas" would have been easier and more effective, probably. The third element that might have been confusing here is my use of the "00." This is meant to resemble a pair of wide eyes, signifying astonishment.

page=deck/card=261743/season=1

And now the post is explained.

I understood the url abbreviation. I was actually asking why you found the card of particular note.

The merry christmas wrote:Okay, poll's up. The dispatch in the description shows what you're voting for.

I hereby tender my resignation as acting pollster with immediate effect.

😏 Why? You're only obligated to poll if you want to. Although, should you decide to accept the office, I foresee worn floorboards in the Mall while mutterings are heard at all times of the circadian cycle, "To poll or not to poll, that is the question."

The merry christmas

Bilabao wrote:I understood the url abbreviation. I was actually asking why you found the card of particular note.

All things Christmas excite me, of course. Someday I might just try and purge a few of my old duplicates and start a Christmas themed-hoard. Sure would be cool if we could sort and display cards by collection. Like these are cards from my region... these are rare cards... these are cards on some other obscure theme...

Bilabao wrote:[S]hould you decide to accept the office, I foresee worn floorboards in the Mall while mutterings are heard at all times of the circadian cycle, "To poll or not to poll, that is the question."

That is exactly correct and why I must decline. Amusing how well you know me. No, I have just enough irons in the fire right now for what time and attention I like to pay Nationstates. Pollster captures the soul of a region. Even if it's "cats or dogs?" most weeks, that's valuable conversational fodder. It's a venerable post that I wouldn't do justice without cost to my duties of cartography.

But think (and now I'm addressing anyone else who might be interested): wouldn't you like to know whether we prefer autumn or spring... white rice or fried... Aristotle or Plato... paper or plastic... favorite ice cream... favorite style of egg (to eat, not prepare)... And all results could be cataloged in an ever-expanding dispatch!

The merry christmas wrote:All things Christmas excite me, of course. Someday I might just try and purge a few of my old duplicates and start a Christmas themed-hoard. Sure would be cool if we could sort and display cards by collection. Like these are cards from my region... these are rare cards... these are cards on some other obscure theme...

You can. You just can't order the display within the collection. Go your cards page. Click on the green letters, Create a collection . . . , name your collection, then select the cards you want to be included in this collection, save (you have to save each page of selected cards before you move on to the next), et voila, you've corralled a portion of your deck into a collection. Here's my The Arctic collection as an example:

page=deck/collection=7701

Also, don't just junk the cards you don't want anymore. Some, like your epic version, can bring you big bank on the card market if your timing is right.

The merry christmas wrote:That is exactly correct and why I must decline. Amusing how well you know me. No, I have just enough irons in the fire right now for what time and attention I like to pay Nationstates. Pollster captures the soul of a region. Even if it's "cats or dogs?" most weeks, that's valuable conversational fodder. It's a venerable post that I wouldn't do justice without cost to my duties of cartography.

But think (and now I'm addressing anyone else who might be interested): wouldn't you like to know whether we prefer autumn or spring... white rice or fried... Aristotle or Plato... paper or plastic... favorite ice cream... favorite style of egg (to eat, not prepare)... And all results could be cataloged in an ever-expanding dispatch!

Polls are already preserved here but if there is sufficient interest I could put them into a dispatch with more readily observable results.

🎄🎄Happy holidays to all. 🎄🎄

🎆🥂🎆Wishing you the healthiest, happiest and most prosperous New Year!🎆🥂🎆

The merry christmas, Vandrel, and Making Catgirls Real

Merry, merry, merry to you all. *hops hops hops in excitement*

My collection of holiday--mostly Christmas--cards.

The merry christmas, Vandrel, and Making Catgirls Real

The merry christmas

Bilabao wrote:You can. You just can't order the display within the collection. Go your cards page. Click on the green letters, Create a collection . . . , name your collection, then select the cards you want to be included in this collection, save (you have to save each page of selected cards before you move on to the next), et voila, you've corralled a portion of your deck into a collection.

...Polls are already preserved here...

And I was made to peer out from under my rock and see all my ideas had already been had. Well, good.

Bilabao wrote:[I]f there is sufficient interest I could put them into a dispatch with more readily observable results.

That's fine; in light of me learning there's an extant and perfect record, consider that particular wish withdrawn.

🎆Happy 2021 everyone! Hope it's a healthier and happier one for all of us. 🎆

Vandrel, Making Catgirls Real, Walrussus, and Tokordina

The 7 day weather forecast summary for The Arctic:

Reviewing the forecast for The Arctic Over the next 7 days and the average daytime maximum temperature will be around -2°C, with a high for the week of 0°C expected on the afternoon of Tuesday 5th. The average minimum temperature will be -8°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Thursday 7th at -17°C. The week will have most days seeing a little snow. It looks like Monday will have the most precipitation with an accumulation of around 4.0mm. On the whole winds are likely to be fresh. The forecast suggests the strongest wind will be on Friday morning, coming from a south easterly direction, and reaching around 35mph. However, the maximum wind gusts are forecast for Monday morning.

Exhibit at the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/arctic-culture-and-climate

The 7 day weather forecast summary for The Arctic:

For The Arctic in the coming week the average daytime maximum temperature will be around -9°C, with a high for the week of -1°C expected on the morning of Saturday 9th. The mean minimum temperature will be -15°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Friday 15th at -19°C. Expect the next week to have mixed weather with some days dry and some seeing a little snow. The current forecast indicates Friday 15th will have the most precipitation with an accumulation of around 3.0mm. On the whole winds are likely to be fresh. Expect the strongest wind on Saturday afternoon, coming from a westerly direction, and reaching around 26mph.

If anyone is collecting legendary cards, one of the greats in the card game is quitting the competition to have the highest deck value and is giving away (!!!) his collection of legendaries as well as many other cards. While the popular ones are gone, there's still a lot left. You can go to this thread and put in your request for 12(!!). The offer is good until 1/25.

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=496679

No weather forecast this week, every now and then the site I get the weather from forgets to renew its privacy certificate so I can't get into it, it's surprisingly difficult to find a written word forecast, they are all maps and videos.

The 7 day weather forecast summary for The Arctic:

For The Arctic in the coming week the average daytime maximum temperature will be around 6°F, with a high for the week of 11°F expected on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 19th. After a low of -12°F on the morning of Saturday 16th the average minimum temperature for the rest of the week will be -2°F. Snow flurries are expected in the beginning of the week on the 16th. The rest of the week is expected to be dry with skies being mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy towards the end of the week. The air will be moving about 4mph coming from the NNE. Visibility will be 5 miles.

The arctic unity party

The Arctic Unity Party hereby applies for the vacant position of "Head Of Relations" in the Arctic Treaty Organisation.
The Party boasts extensive experience in the field of international diplomacy. If you believe that the best way to preserve peace and stability is to avoid the proverbial pitfalls of regional bickering and international quarrel, AUP is the right choice.

With the Unity Party at the helm, the ARTO and all of its relations is headed towards a brighter future!

The 7 day weather forecast summary for The Arctic:

Taking a look at The Arctic over the coming week and the average daytime maximum temperature will be around -11°C, with a high for the week of -7°C expected on the afternoon of Sunday 24th. The average minimum temperature will be -22°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Friday 29th at -28°C. The week ahead will have mostly dry days although Saturday 23rd and Friday 29th are likely to see a little snow. Current predictions suggest Saturday will have the most precipitation with an accumulation of around 2.0mm. On the whole winds are likely to be moderate. The strongest wind will be experienced on Saturday morning, coming from a south easterly direction, and reaching around 31mph.

The merry christmas

The arctic unity party wrote:The Arctic Unity Party hereby applies for the vacant position of "Head Of Relations" in the Arctic Treaty Organisation.
The Party boasts extensive experience in the field of international diplomacy. If you believe that the best way to preserve peace and stability is to avoid the proverbial pitfalls of regional bickering and international quarrel, AUP is the right choice.

With the Unity Party at the helm, the ARTO and all of its relations is headed towards a brighter future!

Haven't heard from our chairman Jong Un in a while. But I'll second this and assume we can consider you honorary Head of Relations till it's noted in the dispatch.

Bilabao, Making Catgirls Real, and The arctic unity party

The merry christmas

By popular demand, the official regional map projection is the orthographic. In recognition of this, it shall be Projection of the Month. Read all about it in the premier issue of Cartographer's Monthly. (Hey, it's still January!)

Geography in Perspective

The story of maps that push the limits of their two-dimensionality.

Maps, as everyone knows, all present one or another extreme abstraction of physical space. Their authors, each in their way, skillfully reduce the world and its terrible complexity to a harmless flat thing to be fingered on pages or screens. In the modern world especially, the utility of depicting a place as it is (done best with three-dimensional sculpture) pales in comparison to something false but portable, easily digestible, and serving well enough some very particular or immediate need.

The azimuthal orthographic is one projection that might be considered impractical and rather out of place in daily life. It is a product of a time long before our modern incuriosity took hold. Interestingly, this perspective from among the stars predates satellites or flying machines of any kind. Yet it is today the truest representation of a globe that is not itself a three-dimensional figure. With this precision, the orthographic aims not so much, like other maps, to reduce or expedite but rather beckons the viewer toward the fullness of understanding: such an expansion of consciousness as results from the intrepid exploration once undertaken by its progenitors.

And so shall we now explore the origins of this revolutionary map!

Azimuth derives from the Arabic السَّمْت ("as-samt"), meaning "the direction." It is a measurement of the angle between a pole or point of interest and two points on an equator or horizon. Any map that displays meridians as straight lines leading from a pole to the equator (or indeed any point of interest to any horizon) achieves this and is referred to as azimuthal. Within this category is the orthographic projection, "ortho" and "graph" being Greek for "straight" and "drawing," respectively. What characterizes the orthographic is that shapes approaching the horizon appear to fall away from the straight meridians intersecting at the center point. Also, our point of view is simultaneously close and infinitely far away (we have very good eyes).

The earliest known model of this type appeared in the second century B.C. in the series On Sizes and Distances by Hipparchus in which the astronomer proposed a method of acquiring approximate radii of the sun and moon. Though the texts themselves do not today survive, this process of measuring distant orbs is referenced in extant works of Ptolemy, Pappus of Alexandria, and others. It would form the basis for the construction of sundials accounting for latitude and longitude and just as soon aid in charting the actual curvature of the earth.


Illustration from Francois d'Aiguilon's Opticorum libri sex philosophis juxta ac mathematicis utiles (Six Books of Optics, useful for philosophers and mathematicians alike). A sphere in perspective is projected on the flat ground.

Largely untouched for centuries, the projection would be popularized in 1613 by Belgian cartographer Francois d’Aiguilon. Amid the pages of his six volume treatise on binocular vision, d'Aiguilon demonstrates how moving one's point of perspective relative to a globe causes its visible surface to shift relative to the horizon. In this way, up to half of an orb can be revealed when viewed from sufficient distance.

Various 20th century academics, too, would provide a more complete picture of the globe, finding corrections to be made in the records of antiquity and fine tuning Hipparchus' original approximations.


Fun fact: this particular photograph is upside down. NASA flipped it prior to publishing in order to satisfy earth dwellers' powerful "north is up" bias!

Now, with the advent of space travel, there is a certain renewed interest in the azimuthal orthographic. It is, perhaps, an awakening. A new challenge to see the world not only through the lens of powerful, narrowly focused abstractions, but to also lift our eyes now and then and engage in a wider world of visceral and beautiful reality.

Read factbook

Welcome to all newly settled nations. Check out the regional map pinned in our factbook entry and let me know if there's anything I should do to better represent your territory.

Additionally: I'd like to eventually produce a view of our globe similar to this...:

https://airandspace.si.edu/webimages/highres/WEB10606-2006h.jpg

But I would need your help, all. If you're interested, grab your slice of the directionally correct flat map below and scribble in what'll indicate to me the locations and relative sizes of major cities in your nation, if indeed you have any. Feel free also to mark highways, national monuments, etc. Shoot it at me in a telegram; I'll finish it up and synthesize it with whatever others I receive. Participants will be kept updated at my typical snail's pace. Cheers.

https://puu.sh/HaihA/3c7ea55568.png

The merry christmas wrote:By popular demand, the official regional map projection is the orthographic. In recognition of this, it shall be Projection of the Month. Read all about it in the premier issue of Cartographer's Monthly. (Hey, it's still January!)

Welcome to all newly settled nations. Check out the regional map pinned in our factbook entry and let me know if there's anything I should do to better represent your territory.

Additionally: I'd like to eventually produce a view of our globe similar to this...:

https://airandspace.si.edu/webimages/highres/WEB10606-2006h.jpg

But I would need your help, all. If you're interested, grab your slice of the directionally correct flat map below and scribble in what'll indicate to me the locations and relative sizes of major cities in your nation, if indeed you have any. Feel free also to mark highways, national monuments, etc. Shoot it at me in a telegram; I'll finish it up and synthesize it with whatever others I receive. Participants will be kept updated at my typical snail's pace. Cheers.

https://puu.sh/HaihA/3c7ea55568.png

Truly, you have outdone yourself in this dispatch and the links. *hops excitedly, then bows in awe* m^u^m

Here's the link to my claim: https://postimg.cc/mPfrPWG4

The Map

Could you put the capital city Jabberwocky at the bottom of the country and the higher ground at the top The Jubjub mountains if that possible, many thanks.

This Nations interesting (boring) Story

I tried to get two friends interested in nationstates one of them suggested the region be named Jabberwocky and we had a founding nation we all had the password to.

After a while we had a nation named Vandral join us who was interested in the Jabberwocky poem, after a while when Vandral died I made this nation Vandrel to keep the numbers up, only later I discovered Vandral is a drug for treating depression, my friends only playing for my sake dropped out and I ended up here.

Weather for The week

The 7 day weather forecast summary for The Arctic:

The next 7 day outlook for The Arctic shows the average daytime maximum temperature will be around -14°C, with a high for the week of -10°C expected on the morning of Monday 1st. The mean minimum temperature will be -25°C, dipping to its lowest on the evening of Monday 1st at -30°C. Expect the next week to remain predominantly dry. On the whole winds are likely to be moderate.

The arctic unity party

The merry christmas wrote:Haven't heard from our chairman Jong Un in a while. But I'll second this and assume we can consider you honorary Head of Relations till it's noted in the dispatch.

Excellent. Jong Un, let's get this show on the road!

Welcome to The uscgc healy. We're glad you stopped by and hope you enjoy your stay in our darkened winter and rather iceless region. Have a hot toddy and donuts on the house. ☕🍩🍩

«12. . .44454647484950. . .6061»

Advertisement