That's an awesome site. I tried to find a copy of the CD-ROM, but was stymied, so this was a nice substitution treat. (I did manage to locate a copy of the hardback book.)

I did a little digging to find out why the record is plated with gold, but didn't find any definitive information. Is it just because gold is shiny and might attract the attention of anyone examining the spacecraft, saying, "Hey! We, the people who built this emissary, value the contents of this box! Pay close attention to (possibly worn) diagrams."

I've always thought of gold as being very soft, and therefor not exactly ideal material to withstand space travel and its variety of unmitigated rigors.

As a brand new board member, just accepted last night, I wanted to let Doug know that his forum rules were one of the reasons I was pleased to join up. I don't know how much knowledge I have to contribute that will seem new and fresh—and it may be I'll end up lurking to soak up information and learn new things—but just knowing that this place won't be cluttered with electric universe gobbledygook or torrid political rambling makes me happier than I can easily express.

This is going to be awesome.

And I would feel remiss not to shout out to Veronica for suggesting it in the first place.