Okay, I admit these not
technically frequently asked questions but I’m sure they are
going to come up.Q: What is your criteria for listing a tool or resource on the FA website?
A: The criteria are as follows:
a) It must be useful to amateur astronomers, and
b) It must be high quality, and
c) It must be free or inexpensive, or more convenient as compared to other similar products, or
d) It could help save money on astronomy purchases.
Q: Don’t you get what you pay for? Aren’t free and inexpensive products just inferior?
A: No, many inexpensive resources are of equal or better quality than commercially produced products offered at much higher prices. Producers price their products many different ways. Some products are offered for free to entice customers to spend money on other products. This offer is known as a loss leader. Sky Maps is an example. Many online resources are ad supported, which means the author generates income from fees charged to advertisers on their website rather than the users. Astronomy magazine and Sky & Telescope magazine websites are examples. Some offer services and software for free because they developed it for their own use and want to share it with others. Patrick Chevalley (Carte du Ciel) and Christian Legrand (Virtual Moon Atlas) are prime examples. Sometimes the service is government run or funded. USNO Data Services and the Canadian Meteorological Center are examples. Also, some organizations will offer services and publications as part of their public outreach. AAVSO and IOTA are examples.
Q: If I buy used equipment, aren’t I just inheriting someone else’s junk?
A: Maybe. One has to be careful just like when buying stocks or a used car. Buy from a reputable person and check out the equipment thoroughly. Many amateur astronomers succumb to aperture fever and unload a perfectly good telescope so that they can buy the bigger scope that they lust after. This is a buying opportunity for the frugal astronomer who can pick up a good quality scope at a substantial discount. Personally, I would not buy a scope that I could not inspect. With accessories, I am willing to take a little more risk because the loss is potentially less. I need to at least see photographs of the accessories before I commit. If I could get the accessory new for only a few dollars more than used, I would buy new. Everyone has to assess their tolerance to risk and make their own decision.
Q: Why does the website list only English language websites?
A: English is the only language that I speak so I cannot evaluate sites in other languages. If members know of great resources in their language that Babel Fish will translate, please submit them for consideration.
Q: Why are most of the resources in North America?
A: I live in North America so I am exposed to more North American resources than anywhere else. I have listed great resources in other parts of the world such as the UK, Japan, Switzerland and France. If I am aware of a great resource, I will list it no matter where it is located. If members know of great resources in their country, please submit them for consideration.
Q: Why don’t you list any astrophotography resources?
A: I have no experience with astrophotography so it's difficult for me to evaluate astrophotography tools. I love photography, but I don’t see the point of spending extra money on special cameras and mounts to take astrophotos. There are so many astroporn sites on the web that make it easy to find high-quality free astrophotos so there is no need to list them. The personal benefits of astrophotography versus the cost would be good topic for a forum discussion. Would anyone like to take me up on it?