CONONLEY MINE (An interactive CD-ROM Tour)
In this CD-Rom of Cononley Lead Mine, near Skipton in North
Yorkshire, Martin Roe has taken a more ambitious path than the
Coniston CD by using a Powerpoint Presentation. You do not have
Powerpoint? Never fear, because the CD has all the software
needed to view it. Like the Coniston Tour, follow the instructions
carefully - especially those in the Read Me file.
The main menu gives three principal options - Introduction; Surface
remains; and Underground remains. The first is a brief history of the
mine, where lead was mined from 1532 to 1881, and a map of the
principal shafts, levels and other features. When you press ‘enter’,
the courses of the Main and Gib Veins are drawn on the map for you.
Because the tour is designed in a non-linear way, viewers can choose
the order of their trip by clicking on active buttons, thumb-nail pictures
or areas of the maps. On the main mine, for example, it is possible to
see pictures of surface features, such as the Engine House, and then
divert underground at the Incline or Engine Shaft. Martin has made
good use of site maps, 3D models of the workings, and diagrams -
including re-constructions. In particular, at the Engine Shaft watch
out for the animation of a horizontal pump rod transferring its motion,
through an angle-bob, to a vertical rod. It is very effective, as is the
use of flying text (which materialises in a pre-set order) as an aid to
descriptions. The static captions accompanying most photographs are
generally well written and give a good feel for the history, archaeology
or technology of what is being shown.
Martin’s tour is intended to be of value to a wide audience, from
novice to expert, and it works well at many levels. His imaginative
use of the technology, without the overindulgence in gimmickry which
spoils some web sites, brings the subject to life in the way a book
never could. Price for UK customers £11.00 (including p&p) (Trade
enquiries welcome) - cheques made payable to Martin Roe, 8
Brighouse Road, Queensbury, BRADFORD, BD13 1QD.
Mike Gill
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Mike Gill
President and Recorder of the NORTHERN MINE RESEARCH SOCIETY
Britain's foremost mining history society at:-
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~RBurt/MinHistNet/NMRS.html
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