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Monday, December 22, 2025

Tool that Rounds to the Nearest Fraction

When working in trades like carpentry, machining or cooking, you often run into decimal measurements that are difficult or impossible to translate to a standard ruler, tape measure, or measuring cup. Sometimes, you just need to work with fractions.

While a CAD program might output a required component hole as 0.6875 inches, a person on the shop floor needs to select a tool or check a dimension using the common fraction 11/16 inches. Similarly, scaling a recipe can result in awkward numbers like 0.833 cups, which is much easier to manage when converted to a practical fraction like 5/6 or the nearest standard measuring cup size. Below is the tool that is designed to bridge that gap by converting any decimal into its closest usable fraction.

The Fractional Rounding Tool (below) takes any decimal number and, based on your chosen level of granularity (the maximum denominator, such as 1/8 or 1/16), it determines the nearest possible fraction. This is essential because it allows you to standardize your precision and use common measuring instruments effectively. You also have full control over the rounding method, which dictates how the tool handles numbers that fall exactly halfway between two fractions. This is a great feature when working with tolerances, negative numbers or specific industry standards like rounding half up or half even. Use the tool below to instantly convert your decimal plans into measurable, actionable fractions.

Fractional Rounding Tool 📏


For information on other tools and topics:

Friday, December 19, 2025

Trail 33 Chautauqua Park

Chautauqua Park is a great mountainside park with various interconnecting hiking trails of easy to hard classes. Allie and I have been here many times. We almost never hike the same combination of trails. In fact, I don't think we've hiked the specific trail choices mentioned in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder. Segments of the trails are in shade, while other segments are exposed.  There are great views of Flatirons and Boulder. This park is particularly dog friendly, though dogs need to be leashed.




This past summer, an eagle flew right by me at eye-level within 10 feet as it zoomed past. The eagle was so quiet that I didn't even know it was flying near me until it was already at its closest, right before I felt the air being pushed aside by the flapping of its wings. I was able to get one photo of it flying away.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Trail 14 North Table and Mesa Top

Though it's mostly exposed, one of my favorite hiking areas is North Table and its various trails. The easier trail loop is described in 60 HIkes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder as "a brief hike straight up the side of this iconic mesa (North Table) leads to a unique experience atop an ancient lava flow that feels like a tabletop." The hardest segment to hike for the mesa top trails is the initial slope right up the side of the mesa cliffs. It's steep by hiking trail standards, as it was originally an access road for a now abandoned quarry at the top. Once you are on top of the mesa, the trails have very little elevation change. It's a hike for the views.  Hiking in late Spring will give you a chance to see many different flowers in bloom.





However, there's also the North Table Loop. This is a more challenging and long trail that continues around the mesa along it's slopes in a full loop. I've hiked this trail once. It's a lot tougher. I may hike this trail again, but better prepared with water and snacks. The only rattlesnake I've ever found while hiking was found on this trail, along with many more rattlers I could hear in the brush, particularly on the Southside. The Northside is more open. This magpie kept one eye on me while its other eye was on the lookout for its lunch.

If you want, you can hike to the top of the top at Lichen Peak. Why is it named Lichen Peak?  

Friday, December 12, 2025

When buy a used DVD is cheaper than a movie's digital rental

...when buying a good quality DVD is cheaper than renting the movie digitally...

(Also, it's funny that the AI gave Bryan Cranston the arms of Kevin Hart)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fcsuper/p/DPNYiCsjPjR/

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Trail 31 - Betasso Preserve Canyon Loop

I've visited the Betasso Preserve Canyon Loop Trail a few times during late Spring and early Summer. I really like this trail. It has a variety of terrain with beautiful mountain scenery. The trail is shared by hikers, joggers and cyclists. The area is a good mix of brush and trees without heavily overgrown areas with wild bramble. Early Summer supports a wide variety of flowers.



You can also visit nearby Bummers Rock during the same drive. This trail is Hike #31 from 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder. Within which, it's described at "a geological enthusiast's wonderland." Even though it has diverse terrain, the change in elevation is only about 400 feet. You'll have a chance to see some wildlife here as well. It's recommended to enjoy this trail on the weekday, as weekends can be crowded (at least in the parking lot).

Sunday, December 07, 2025

Ireland's First Script Ogham (with Converter tool)

The Ogham Alphabet

The Ogham alphabet (often pronounced "OH-um") is the earliest known form of writing used in Ireland and parts of Britain, appearing primarily in inscriptions between the 4th and 9th centuries AD. It's unique among world writing systems for its striking visual form and method of inscription.

Historical Context and Use

Ogham emerged during the period of Primitive Irish, the oldest attested form of the Gaelic language.

  1. Form and Structure: Unlike the Latin or Runic alphabets, Ogham consists entirely of a system of notches and parallel strokes etched along a central line, or "stemline." On monuments, the natural corner or edge of a standing stone served as this stemline, making Ogham essentially a three-dimensional script. It reads vertically, typically from bottom to top.
  2. Primary Function: The vast majority of surviving Ogham inscriptions are found on monumental stones (known as Ogham stones) scattered across Ireland and Wales. These stones functioned primarily as commemorative boundary markers or memorials, usually bearing the name of an individual and that person's lineage.
  3. The "Tree Alphabet" Tradition: Ogham is incorrectly known as the "Celtic Tree Alphabet." This association comes from medieval manuscript tradition, where each of the 20 original Ogham characters was given a name corresponding to a native Irish tree or plant (e.g., Beith = Birch, Dair = Oak). This tradition popularized the script but often overshadowed its true linguistic purpose.
  4. Decline: Ogham usage declined dramatically after the 7th century, largely being replaced by the Latin alphabet as Christianity spread and written language shifted from monumental inscriptions to manuscripts.

Transliteration for Modern English

The original Ogham alphabet had only 20 core characters (feda), which reflected the limited sound set of Primitive Irish. To adapt this ancient script for Modern English (which has 26 letters and many more sounds), a systematic approach is necessary.

This converter (below) uses a modern, mostly reversible transliteration method that maps the six missing English letters (J, K, P, V, W, X, Y, Z) to their closest existing Ogham phonetic or orthographic neighbors, ensuring every modern English word can be accurately rendered in Ogham. We also use the dedicated (Ogham space mark) for all word separation and punctuation to maintain the authenticity of the script's digital representation.

 

Ogham Bi-Directional Converter

Output (Click to Copy):

Note on Mapping: This converter uses the 20 core Ogham letters plus the later Forfeda for missing English sounds (P and CH). Punctuation is converted to the Ogham space mark ( ) for a more authentic output.

Latin Input Ogham Output Ogham Name Mapping Rationale
A, E, I, O, Uᚐ, ᚓ, ᛁ, ᚑ, ᚒAilm, Edad, Idad, Onn, UrDirect Ogham Vowels
BBeithDirect Ogham character.
PPeith**Uses the Forfid (supplementary letter).**
F, VFernV is voiced pair of F.
C, KCollK shares the hard C (/k/) sound.
CHEamhancholl**Uses the Forfid for the CH sound.**
GGortDirect Ogham character.
DDairDirect Ogham character.
TTinneDirect Ogham character.
HUathDirect Ogham character.
LLuisDirect Ogham character.
MMuinDirect Ogham character.
NNuinDirect Ogham character.
RRuisDirect Ogham character.
S, ZSailleZ is voiced pair of S.
JCollMapped to C/K as a functional default.
WUrMapped to the vowel U (closest to 'oo' sound).
YIdadMapped to the vowel I.
QQuertDirect Ogham character.
XᚉᚄColl + SailleMapped as the two-character phonetic sequence CS (/ks/).

For information on other tools and topics:

Thursday, December 04, 2025

Trail 34-ish at El Dorado State Park

On the Fall Solstice or near-abouts in 2025, I visited Eldorado State Park.  This park has a trail that is listed in the 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder at #34. Like many Spanish-origin names in Colorado, the name "Eldorado" has an anglicized spelling, so it's not "El Dorado". Instead of hiking the Eldorado Canyon Trail, as suggested in the book, I hiked the loop called Rattlesnake Gulch Trail.





The trail is challenging, as there is significant uphill segments with several large cutbacks. I was able to visit on a day that was comfortably warm. Major portions of the hike are shaded. There are two uncommon points of interest on this trail too.

Crags Hotel Ruins is a location where a hotel once stood but long since burned down. The ruins of central fireplace still remain, along with a few other fleeting signs of some long-past structures.


Also on this loop, you'll find the Continental Divide Overlook.  This a great location for some awesome Rocky Mountain views (presumably including the Continental Divide).


I really enjoyed Eldorado Canyon State Park. This will be a location to which I'd love to return. Parking is $10 and is paid upon arrival. Reservations are required for weekends between May 1 and October 1.

Tuesday, December 02, 2025

Weight Calculation Tool based on Latitude

Your Weight Changes with Latitude

Your weight changes as you move further or closer to the Equator on Earth. This is true even if you typically measure your weight in kilograms.

Your mass is the amount of matter in your body. This remains constant.  However, your weight (the force of gravity acting on your mass) changes because the Earth's "falling" acceleration due to gravity (g) is not uniform. This variation is primarily due to two factors:

  1. The Earth's Spin (Centrifugal Force): As the Earth rotates, it creates an outward centrifugal force that partially counteracts gravity. This force is strongest at the Equator and drops to zero at the Poles, making you slightly lighter near the Equator.
  2. The Earth's Shape (Equatorial Bulge): The Earth is not a perfect sphere. It bulges around the Equator. This means you are physically farther from the planet's center when standing at 90° latitude than at the Poles. This distance also weakens the gravitational pull.

The combination of these two effects means you will exert the greatest gravitational force (be the heaviest) at the poles and the least at the Equator.

You can use Google Maps to find your current latitude and the latitude of your target or destination.


How to Use the Calculator

Use the calculator below to find your true constant mass and see how your weight (the force) would change if you moved to a new location:

  1. Your Scale Reading: Enter your weight and select your unit (lbs or kg). If you use kg, the tool will automatically adjust for the standard gravity value that your scale likely uses to calculate your true mass.
  2. Current Latitude: Enter the latitude where you took the measurement.
  3. Target Latitude: Enter the latitude of interest (90° for the Pole or 0° for the Equator).

The tool will then show you your True Constant Mass (in kg and slugs), your Current Weight (in lbs and Newtons) and your calculated Target Weight at the new latitude. One additional note is that I previous covered this topic with an Excel spreadsheet tool. This new tool (below) is more accurate than my original spreadsheet because this new tool takes Earth's shape into account.

Weight & Mass Calculator 🌍

Input your weight in either pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg).

Enter your details and click 'Calculate'.


For information on other tools and topics: