http://harringtongreen.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] harringtongreen.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2006-06-01 11:28 am

Leadership and Outdoorsmanship, The Preserve, Thursday Morning

In the same clearing as last week, Honor stood at a folding camp table, leant over a map. To her right, a small, portable GPS device could be seen; to her left, two different compasses – one military issue, the other a simple device built into a short ruler, designed for orienteering. Several minicomps were lined up along the front edge of the table, enough for each student in the workshop.

On the other side of the clearing, the two large carafes have been set up again – coffee and hot chocolate – though some water in a closed, insulated pitcher has been added as well. It seemed that Mac decided the mornings were too warm for coffee alone.

Nimitz was stalking around the outskirts of the clearing. With his head lowered and eyes alert toward the trees, it was pretty clear he had staked out his playmates for the day.

Honor tossed a glance his way, then looked up as students began to arrive. "Good
morning," she said. A taut smile crossed her lips, not quite reaching her eyes. "I hope each of you had a relaxing weekend...in the air conditioning.

"Today, we’re going to go over the basics of map reading, using a compass, and orienteering. If each one of you would grab a minicomp, you’ll find that there are uploaded documents and programs to help you with this section of the workshop. I’ve also been able to install a GPS program – global positioning system program – to assist you as well. The minicomps are for you to keep until the end of the workshop; I ask that you return them in the same condition they were issued."

She waited a few moments until each student had taken a minicomp, then watched as they attempted to power them up and pull up the various programs. "They work on the same principle as the Palm Pilots or the Pocket PCs, though they’re a little more powerful. You can use your fingers on the touch screen, but if accuracy is an issue, I’d recommend the stylus."

The taut smile returned as she waited another few moments for the students to complete their exploration of the new toys. Finally, with time ticking away, she drew attention back to herself. "If you’ll find the directory of maps, you should find one marked ‘Alexandria_topographic’ with yesterday’s date. Please pull that map up..."

Honor spent the remaining class time reviewing how to read a topographic map; an overview of how to read a basic compass and a lensatic (military) compass; and basic orienteering skills and symbols. Interactive quizzes over the symbols and the map skills were included on the minicomps.

Those students tinkering further with the minicomps might also find access to the internet, and links to mapping websites and a local orienteering club for further reference.


"And with that," she said, finally, "I think I’ve overloaded you quite enough. You’ll be receiving instructions later in the week regarding next week’s location.

"Dismissed."
demonbelthazor: (Back&white shirt outside)

Re: New Toys

[personal profile] demonbelthazor 2006-06-01 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Bel fiddles with his minicomp, wondering if it could map the Underworld.

Re: New Toys

[identity profile] grand-fallguy.livejournal.com 2006-06-01 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Tim, not the most computer saavy guy to begin with (he could use word perfect and play number munchers at school), was at first at a loss with the minicomp.

"The hell's a palm pilot?" he muttered.
demonbelthazor: (Default)

Re: New Toys

[personal profile] demonbelthazor 2006-06-01 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"A little computer you use to store notes and phone numbers, I think," Bel said. "I'm not terribly familiar with the things myself."

Re: New Toys

[identity profile] grand-fallguy.livejournal.com 2006-06-01 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Tim had seen laptops, and had finally gotten used to that. "Damn. When're those gonna start popping up?"
demonbelthazor: (Belthazor)

Re: New Toys

[personal profile] demonbelthazor 2006-06-01 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"Late 90's?" Bel guessed. "What year are you from anyway?"

Re: New Toys

[identity profile] grand-fallguy.livejournal.com 2006-06-01 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Early 90's." tim said. "91. You?"
demonbelthazor: (Hand on knee)

Re: New Toys

[personal profile] demonbelthazor 2006-06-01 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm from this time," Bel said. "I just didn't have much tech stuff in my home."

Re: New Toys

[identity profile] grand-fallguy.livejournal.com 2006-06-02 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
While fiddling with the minicomp Tim managed to figure out the maps and such, and then, decided to try out the internet.
"Eep!" he frantically tried to close the window. Since when did porn sites come up for THAT?!