Standard Question Format {was: Re: [Rockhounds] netiquette topic}

Sun Sep 9 10:59:37 PDT 2007

Good idea, Kreigh.
Something along those lines already exists on the Photo-Atlas of Minerals
(produced by the Gem & Mineral Council, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural
History).

Maybe for the absolute beginners:
Mineral Mastery Pro can be downloaded free and contains 180 of the most
"popular" minerals. If you can find it in the field and it's large enough to
be reckognized as a distinct mineral chances are good that it's in there.
http://www.chez.com/mineralzine/pages/soft2.htm
You can expand it yourself...

Axel

> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com 
> [mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com] Namens Kreigh 
> Tomaszewski
> Verzonden: zondag 9 september 2007 6:21
> Aan: Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem 
> collectors
> Onderwerp: Re: Standard Question Format {was: Re: 
> [Rockhounds] netiquette topic}
> 
> I still think the best solution would be to develop an 
> Artificial Intelligence computer application that could play 
> '20 questions' with a rockhound to identify any mineral or 
> location. By capturing our shared expertise into an AI 
> application we could all benefit from the best expert advice 
> and the right questions being asked. We need to make any forms smart.
> 
> Kreigh
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Axel Emmermann wrote:
> > 
> > Usually, a plea for help comes as a question about
> > 
> > 1) Technical advise in cleaning, faceting, polishing etc.
> > 2) Locality
> > 3) Mineral determination
> > 
> > The questions of the first type are pretty recurrent 
> (muriatic acid, 
> > saw blades). Usually one could suffice with a referral to 
> archived discussions?
> > 
> > The questions about localities could be handled like:
> > 
> > ===================================================
> > I have a mineral of which I would like to have the complete 
> finding place.
> > The label says:
> > 
> > Mineral: .........................
> > Accompanying minerals:  ..........................
> >                                 ..........................
> >                                 ..........................
> >                                 ..........................
> > Mine/Quarry/finding place ........................
> > City/Near/Mining district ........................
> > County/Region           ..........................
> > State/Province          ..........................
> > Country                 ..........................
> > 
> > ===================================================
> > 
> > Questions about mineral determination could be handled like
> > 
> > ====================================================
> > You found the specimen at:
> > 
> > Mine/Quarry/finding place ........................
> > City/Near/Mining district ........................
> > County/Region           ..........................
> > State/Province          ..........................
> > Country                 ..........................
> > 
> > You observed these properties (delete what is clearly not true):
> > 
> > Luster: metallic, greasy, very shiny, rather shiny, dull, earthy
> > 
> > Diaphanous?: Transparent, translucent, opaque
> > 
> > Hardness:
> > The mineral scratches glass
> > I can scratch the mineral with my fingernails, with a knife .... Etc
> > 
> > Color: White, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, 
> violet, brown, 
> > purple, pink, tan.
> > Tint: yellowish, greenish, bluish, reddish, brownish, 
> pinkish, orange
> > Saturation: Pale, medium, deep
> > 
> > Specific weight: very light, light, heavy, very heavy
> > 
> > Streak/powder color (use same names as above):
> > 
> > Fluorescence under Long Wave:
> > Color: White, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, 
> violet, brown, 
> > purple, pink, tan, NONE.
> > Tint: yellowish, greenish, bluish, reddish, brownish, 
> pinkish, orange
> > Saturation: Pale, medium, deep
> > 
> > Fluorescence under Mid Wave:
> > Color: White, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, 
> violet, brown, 
> > purple, pink, tan, NONE.
> > Tint: yellowish, greenish, bluish, reddish, brownish, 
> pinkish, orange
> > Saturation: Pale, medium, deep
> > 
> > Fluorescence under Short Wave:
> > Color: White, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, 
> violet, brown, 
> > purple, pink, tan, None.
> > Tint: yellowish, greenish, bluish, reddish, brownish, 
> pinkish, orange
> > Saturation: Pale, medium, deep
> > 
> > Phosphorescence:
> > 
> > Long wave: flash, seconds, >10 sec, >30 sec, > 1 min, hours
> > Color: White, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, 
> violet, brown, 
> > purple, pink, tan, NONE.
> > 
> > Mid wave: flash, seconds, >10 sec, >30 sec, > 1 min, hours
> > Color: White, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, 
> violet, brown, 
> > purple, pink, tan, NONE.
> > 
> > Short wave: flash, seconds, >10 sec, >30 sec, > 1 min, hours
> > Color: White, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, 
> violet, brown, 
> > purple, pink, tan, NONE.
> > 
> > 
> ======================================================================
> > ======
> > 
> > Care to expand/comment?
> > 
> > Cheers
> > 
> > Axel
> > 
> > > -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> > > Van: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com
> > > [mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com] Namens Kreigh 
> > > Tomaszewski
> > > Verzonden: zaterdag 8 september 2007 6:47
> > > Aan: Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem 
> > > collectors
> > > Onderwerp: Standard Question Format {was: Re: [Rockhounds] 
> > > netiquette topic}
> > >
> > > OK, great idea. What should the template look like?
> > >
> > >       I have a question about ______.
> > >
> > >       So far I have figured out ______.
> > >
> > >       I am really trying to find out ______.
> > >
> > >       Does anyone have more info that will help?
> > >
> > > I would suggest that the real problem is what blanks need to be 
> > > under the second question to suggest appropriate homework.
> > >
> > > Can the List reach consensus on what a short form would include?
> > >
> > > Kreigh
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Glenn Wimpee wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Great idea Axel!
> > > >
> > > > I think we could have a short forum for suggestions for the
> > > format of a "list mineral question template".
> > > >
> > > > Then someone with secretarial skills could volunteer to
> > > compile the form.
> > > >
> > > > Then if one of us has a mineral question he can pull up the
> > > form and fill in the blanks.
> > > >
> > > > And if a question is submitted with less than adequate
> > > information, use of the template can be suggested.
> > > > Glenn
> > > >
> > > >  From: axel.emmermann at pandora.be
> > > >
> > > >  There should be some kind of questionnaire, a form, for people 
> > > > who need help about minerals... Hey, why don't we make one? As
> > > a tool, not
> > > > as a rule ;-)))  Axel
> 
> --
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