User:Bduke/Sandbox

Atkins
"Overall, Physical Chemistry continues to be the book by which other texts are judged. There is considerable competition in this area—several impressive textbooks are available—but it is hard to match the authority and readability of this book. It is one of perhaps a dozen textbooks in chemistry that instructors all over the world would recognize.(The Chemical Educator, Vol. 6, No. X, S1430-4171(01)04493-6 Hugh Cartwright, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University). Impressive, but from a colleague and gives the Oxford/UK perspective

Future of WikiProject Science pearls
This project has been largely inactive for several years, although there are editors who work on the various list of publications that were started by this project. However, the project does not even tag or assess the lists and it clearly does not exercise any kind of uniformity of standards across the lists or attract editors to work on the lists. Its future has been discussed several times, with I think the last major discussion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Science pearls in 2007. There were two suggestions put forward. One was widening the Project to WikiProject Scientific literature or WikiProject Science publications, to cover articles on scientific books and articles, as well as the lists of publications. The other idea was to make it a task force of Wikipedia:WikiProject Academic Journals.

These proposals floundered because we could not see a way forward. I am suggesting that we try again with a wider reach.

Maybe, we should look at the name. The term "Science pearls" is rather confusing and it does limit the lists to sciences. There was a list of publications in philosophy, but it was deleted. I thought there was one on publications in law, but can not find it. That was certainly discussed as was one on publications in history. Perhaps "Science pearls" could be replaced by "academic publications". Would WikiProject academic publications work? How would it relate to Wikipedia:WikiProject Academic Journals? Would WikiProject Academic Journals/Academic publications task force work. The problem there is that the task force sounds wider than the project, so should we limit it to lists as WikiProject Academic Journals/Lists of academic publications task force? The other problem with the task force is that the lists are more often of books than of journal articles. The link with Wikipedia:WikiProject Academic Journals is not entirely clear.

Let me try to summarize the issues:-


 * 1) Should WikiProject Science pearls continue as a project or become a task force?
 * 2) If a task force, of Wikipedia:WikiProject Academic Journals or what other project?
 * 3) Should the scope be restricted to lists of publications or expanded to include articles on publications.
 * 4) Should the scope be limited to Science or widened to all academic areas?
 * 5) Thus should "Science pearls" be renamed to "science publications", "scientific literature", "lists of science publications", "academic publications", "academic literature", "lists of academic publications", or what?

I will also be placing this discussion on the talk pages of all lists, at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Academic Journals, at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Council and at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Science pearls. I suggest that the discussion be at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Science pearls, so please comment there and not here.

Eminent Edwardians
"Eminent Edwardians", by Piers Brendon, published in 1979, is intended clearly to be a follow-up to Eminent Victorians, by Lytton Strachey published in 1918. Like that book it covers four promiant people. In addition to Baden-Powell, has has studies of Lord Northcliffe, the press baron, Arthur Balfour, the British Prime Minister and Emmeline Pankhurst, the suffragette. Our article on "Eminent Victorians" states "Its fame rests on the irreverence and wit Strachey brought to bear on three men and a woman who had till then been regarded as heroes and heroine". Piers Brendon is trying to do the same for his four subjects.

Silver Kangaroo
The Silver Kangaroo is the highest award for adult leaders in Scouts Australia. It is awarded by the Chief Scout of Australia, on the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner of Australia. It is awarded for eminent achievement and meritorious service to the Association for a period of at least twenty years. It may be awarded to any member of a Scout Association affiliated with the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. The Silver Kangaroo is worn around the neck on a Gold ribbon with two green stripes. The Cloth Emblem is a gold knot on a dark green background.

Geoff Lee
I would like to mention two special volunteers. For over 50 years, Geoff Lee has contributed to Scouting through leadership and fundraising. This year Geoff received the World Scouting Bronze Wolf in recognition of his service. This is the highest award in World Scouting. (http://www.scouts.com.au/download_file.asp?iFileID=2122 Scouts Australia 2002 Annual Report)

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA19991020033 report to Parliament on World Scout Foundation in Sydney in 1999.

Geoff Lee sails his final voyage

Prominent Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron member, yachtsman and yachting benefactor Geoff Lee AM OAM has died after an extended illness. Geoff was the immediate past chairman and a life member of the Australia Day Regatta and was instrumental in maintaining its status as the world’s oldest continuously conducted sailing regatta. Geoff had been a member of the RSYS since 1964 and was also a member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and a past flag officer of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. He donated many perpetual trophies to sailing, including one for line honours in the Australia Day ocean race to Botany Bay and return. Over many years of active sailing, Geoff raced a succession of yachts named Taurus in ocean races and, in latter years, in harbour racing with the RSYS Division 1. Geoff was also involved in supporting many other activities, including the Scouting movement where he was Vice Chairman of the Lord Baden-Powell Society Management Committee. For over 50 years, Geoff Lee contributed to Scouting through leadership and fundraising. Geoff received the World Scouting Bronze Wolf in recognition of his service. This is the highest award in World Scouting. He was Governor of the Sydney Heritage fleet and Board Member of the Heart Research Institute. A Memorial Service celebrating Geoff’s life was held at St Mark’s Church, Darling Point on 4 December. Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay (Newport) held its Season Opening Day on Saturday 10th November 2007