Prep for Online Conference/s

[Lloyd]

Sci Teams
We've formed several sci collaboration Teams on the QDL site. The ones I'm mostly working with at first are the S.I.Team (Science Improvement), the A/ether Team and the Miles Mathis Team. There's also a Mechanics Team, Planetary Science Team, EU Team, Catastrophism Team and Paranormal Team. But anyone can request to start a team on any topic.

Conferences
I'm working on the idea of holding conferences on the QDL site. We're going to experiment with chat rooms that are already installed in several Team homepages. It would be great if we could have several chat boxes on one page there, because it could handle more people at once then. We tried 2 chat boxes on one page on Monday, but we had some problems with it, i.e. it was sometimes hard to enter text, apparently due to too much of a load. Hopefully, Charles may find a way to work smoothly, but we may have to settle for one chat box per page.

A/ether Team vs. Miles Mathis Team
I was really impressed with Robert Distinti's views recently, whose theory is called Ethereal Mechanics. I think a conference between Distinti and Mathis supporters could be very productive. I invite anyone interested in the subjects of a/ether or photonic charge to help prep for such a conference. I want to use this thread to develop ideas and plans for a productive conference.

Vague Plan
I haven't tried to put together a detailed plan yet. All I have so far is a vision of friendly discussion of the main points of Distinti's and Mathis' theories and evaluation of those points and the supporting arguments for each. So there would need to be material submitted on all that in advance, i.e. the main points and the main supporting arguments. That way readers or viewers could prepare good questions for the theorists/supporters.

I don't think a date should be suggested until the plans are solid. I'll have to see if enough supporters from both sides are interested in such a conference.

In the mean time, please submit ideas here. And say if you'd like to participate somehow.

P.S., NPA holds weekly live video conferences pretty regularly, I think. That might give us some good ideas. The EU conference is a bit different, but maybe it can provide some ideas too.

[Lloyd]

FUZE Meetings
An NPA member tells me that members can sign in to the NPA "FUZE" meeting on any Saturday morning, often having video and microphone connections, which allows for verbal cross-discussions. "The basic format is that an NPA director person would act as host and there would be a guest speaker who would present his discussion using slides and microphone. There is also a type-in discussion panel where members can conduct their own discussions parallel with the main discussion of the guest speaker."

I remember watching one NPA FUZE meeting a couple years ago. I saw a recording instead of a live meeting. So they do keep an archive of the FUZE meetings to some extent.

[justcurious]

FUZE Meetings
An NPA member tells me that members can sign in to the NPA "FUZE" meeting on any Saturday morning, often having video and microphone connections, which allows for verbal cross-discussions. "The basic format is that an NPA director person would act as host and there would be a guest speaker who would present his discussion using slides and microphone. There is also a type-in discussion panel where members can conduct their own discussions parallel with the main discussion of the guest speaker."

I remember watching one NPA FUZE meeting a couple years ago. I saw a recording instead of a live meeting. So they do keep an archive of the FUZE meetings to some extent.

Fuze is being used for NPA get-togethers, they sometimes have "Saturday morning" events where a guest speaker will present a theory, paper or finding, and everyone asks questions and discusses.
Currently, the NPA is undergoing some changes, soon there will be opportunities for novice scientists to meet, share, collaborate and learn, and eventually publish. This might be a good venue for budding scientists who question the status quo and meet like minded individuals of similar interests.
Last conference was in Maryland, Charles Chandler's badge was waiting for him but he never showed up, I think he would have enjoyed it. Although the venue was humble, there were some great speakers and many accomplished senior scientists. Next meeting might be some time in September or October, probably in the mid-west.

But as far as Fuze meetings go, you can sign up for a free (I think) account and host your own meetings.
Or else there's google hangouts (but not everyone has or wants a google+ account with all its "big brother" features).

[Lloyd]

Thanks for info, JC. The Teams may want to try out a FUZE meeting eventually. I don't know of plans along those lines yet though.

Chat Room Wed. Night 10 pm ET
That's Eastern Time. Go to http://us9.chatzy.com/94568710066994. You don't need to register or anything, just sign in with a username of your choice.

Topic: Best Theories & Better Science Process
If you like, you may list your favorite theory/ies and the main points and arguments;
And/or you may discuss ideas to improve science.
Let's hopefully not discuss theories much, other than listing them and the supporting arguments.

Process
I suggested to Charles to start a Ratings section on his QDL site for evaluating theories and publishing to the onsite Library. I also said this:
. Allow anyone to read it, but restrict posting to qualified Team members.
. Have four Parts in the Ratings section.
. First could be a List of names and authors of well-developed theories.
. Second could be lists of the main points and arguments of those theories.
. Third could be evaluations of the points and arguments.
. Fourth could be the Science Library, a list of points and arguments of theories that are rated highly.

We're trying to develop a process for better science, so we can discuss ideas like this in the chat room tomorrow too.

Semi-Weekly Chats
I'm thinking of having similar chats once or twice a week in the same chat room or on Charles' site.
The times may be:
- each Wed. at 10pm ET
- and each Sat. at noon ET.
If anyone else would like to host a regular chat at another time more convenient for you, we can work that out, or you can do it independently.

Post Theories
I started a RATINGS folder at http://qdl.scs-inc.us/?top=13639 where anyone is welcome to post favorite theories, their main points and best supporting arguments. Top rated points and arguments are intended to be posted in our onsite Library.

[JeffreyW]

Lloyd,

Could you link me to the planetary science team?

[Lloyd]

The Planetary Science Team link is http://qdl.scs-inc.us/?top=13391. You and CC are the only members so far.

[Lloyd]

Saturdays: Weekly Science Chats
We're trying out a weekly chat.
Time: Noon Eastern Time (Saturdays)
All registered users of QDL are invited to http://qdl.scs-inc.us/?top=13652.
Others are invited to http://us9.chatzy.com/94568710066994 where no registration is required, just a username of your choice.

Anyone can read the chat at the first link and anyone can post at the second. You may like to open 2 windows to keep track of both chats.

Great Theories Listing
I'm also inviting anyone to list their favorite theories and highlights at this form, which does not require registering etc. Just fill out as much as you want at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_HuENi ... E/viewform.

I'll post the submissions at http://qdl.scs-inc.us/?top=13639, if I don't forget. Feel free to remind me.

This will hopefully become a useful list of up-to-date theories with lots of good arguments and data supporting them.

[JeffreyW]

Thank you Lloyd!

[JeffreyW]

Lloyd, relay the message that we need to get younger people to contribute to this group. Charles could loosen up the reigns and let younger programmers have their run at programming and contributing to this.

I would program, but I tried it. Programming does not fit with my mind, I'm more creative.

[Lloyd]

Saturdays: Weekly Science Improvement Chats
We're trying out a weekly chat.
Time: Noon Eastern Time (Saturdays)
Topic: Favorite Theories & their highlights & Ideas on Science Improvement
All registered users of QDL are invited to http://qdl.scs-inc.us/?top=13652.
Others are invited to http://us9.chatzy.com/94568710066994 where no registration is required, just a username of your choice.

Anyone can read the chat at the first link and anyone can post at the second. You may like to open 2 windows to keep track of both chats, but it's not necessary.

[CharlesChandler]

Charles could loosen up the reigns and let younger programmers have their run at programming and contributing to this.

What "reigns"???

You can customize QDL simply by pasting source code (PHP and/or JS) straight into a QDL post, and then setting it to be executable. You can also edit your "skin", to change the font and the colors, re-arrange interface elements, and to add hooks to your own executable code. You can actually remove the entire QDL interface, and after logging in, point your browser to the hook for your executable code, and get nothing but its output as a response. You can even set your account so that anonymous users can access your sandbox, which you can set up to run your executable code. In other words, you can run it like a virtual web host, except that you don't have to register a domain name, or write any user registration code, or deal with any of the other types of overhead running a standalone web app. You just write the code that echoes the response that you want, given whatever input you collected. What other site on the Internet is that wide open? The only restrictions are those that absolutely have to be in place, so that people can't vandalize the site (e.g., PHP file I/O is restricted to the developer's folder) or compromise user security (cookie calls are not allowed). Other than that, if you can write code that doesn't throw syntax errors, QDL can run it.

The problem with QDL actually seems to be that it is too flexible. It doesn't have any sort of rigid scheme, so people don't know where to start. You can post into forums, or create your own. You can paste articles into forums, and then you can create forums at the end of your articles, so people can discuss what you're saying. Most people these days know how to use wikis, where you can do articles, and they're used to forums. They're not used to software that can do both, and a whole lot more, in any combination that you want. So I have been working on a folder structure that suggests what to do, and where to do it. Over time QDL will probably get a good deal more restrictive, just because people seem to prefer pre-defined workflows. But right now, it's just a big blank slate with some powerful tools laying around, and you can do pretty much anything you want.

[JeffreyW]

Charles could loosen up the reigns and let younger programmers have their run at programming and contributing to this.

What "reigns"???

You can customize QDL simply by pasting source code (PHP and/or JS) straight into a QDL post, and then setting it to be executable. You can also edit your "skin", to change the font and the colors, re-arrange interface elements, and to add hooks to your own executable code. You can actually remove the entire QDL interface, and after logging in, point your browser to the hook for your executable code, and get nothing but its output as a response. You can even set your account so that anonymous users can access your sandbox, which you can set up to run your executable code. In other words, you can run it like a virtual web host, except that you don't have to register a domain name, or write any user registration code, or deal with any of the other types of overhead running a standalone web app. You just write the code that echoes the response that you want, given whatever input you collected. What other site on the Internet is that wide open? The only restrictions are those that absolutely have to be in place, so that people can't vandalize the site (e.g., PHP file I/O is restricted to the developer's folder) or compromise user security (cookie calls are not allowed). Other than that, if you can write code that doesn't throw syntax errors, QDL can run it.

The problem with QDL actually seems to be that it is too flexible. It doesn't have any sort of rigid scheme, so people don't know where to start. You can post into forums, or create your own. You can paste articles into forums, and then you can create forums at the end of your articles, so people can discuss what you're saying. Most people these days know how to use wikis, where you can do articles, and they're used to forums. They're not used to software that can do both, and a whole lot more, in any combination that you want. So I have been working on a folder structure that suggests what to do, and where to do it. Over time QDL will probably get a good deal more restrictive, just because people seem to prefer pre-defined workflows. But right now, it's just a big blank slate with some powerful tools laying around, and you can do pretty much anything you want.

Charles,

Something I've always wanted, I don't know what your budget is financially, but if we could somehow raise funds to acquire some type of 3D animation program so we could do animations of our theories I would be highly appreciative. We don't have to post the animations to the QDL itself (it can reroute to youtube), but animations in 3D are f*in magical for presentation purposes. I would actually work on it a whole hell of a lot if I actually had the program, drawing up ideas for how stars evolve using high quality 3D animations... priceless. It would be much better than with words, way way better than words (which are open to vast amounts of misintrepretation).

I was thinking about having Autodesk Maya. What do you think?

[Lloyd]

This is just a reminder about the Chat Room, which begins shortly.
Time: Noon Eastern Time (Saturdays)
Topic: Favorite Theories & their highlights & Ideas on Science Improvement
All registered users of QDL are invited to http://qdl.scs-inc.us/?top=13652.
Others are invited to http://us9.chatzy.com/94568710066994 where no registration is required, just a username of your choice.

[CharlesChandler]

Something I've always wanted, I don't know what your budget is financially, but if we could somehow raise funds to acquire some type of 3D animation program so we could do animations of our theories I would be highly appreciative.

QDL has a built-in 2D graphics editor (i.e., SVG-Edit). It's very simple, but it can do closed/open, regular/irregular shapes, with control over line-weight, line-style, and fill, including gradients, and it can do groupings and stacking orders, and styled text. So that's all of the most important features. I use it for simple stuff, because doing an image entirely in QDL eliminates the overhead of using an external app to generate an external file that I have to upload to QDL -- if it's all in QDL, I can just open the thing, make a quick change, save it, and I'm done.

For 3D stuff, you'll have to use an external app. At the low end, I recommend Google Sketch-up (which is free, and which can do animations). To need more than that, you have to spend serious money (and time) on a much more complicated app.

[Lloyd]

Logo does 3D and I think it's cheap. I think there are even a few sites online where you can do some simple logo stuff. I forget where they are though. But you can probably do a search for "Logo program online" or something.