Articles written by Pete Morris

What is Helium

About me - Pete Morris

Raised in a farming family in the south of England with my kite-tail of sisters, I couldn't wait to 'leave the croft'. I yearned for a life in engineering, and that's what I've had; with a healthy spread of odd pastimes to soften the evenings and weekends.

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Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism Practicing Buddhism in everyday life: 5 of 16

How can we practice Buddhism in our daily lives? There is a Buddhist view on every aspect of human life and death, and a path exists for all who wish to follow the Buddhas and achieve awakening.The path (or way) has three stages; morality, meditation and wisdom.All may, with benefit, establish habits which are morally positiv... More..
Computers & Technology > Computers & Technology (Other) Reasons to continue using Morse code: 1 of 2

Morse code is still used today, by radio hams and the world's navies. But why bother? Isn't it slow and old-fashioned, and isn't it hard to learn?Radio hams have very good reasons for clinging to the cherished code. It can travel much further than speech, and the equipment necessary for sending and receiving Morse code is sim... More..
Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) Harvesting electronic devices from scrap equipment: 1 of 1

Electronic components, in general, are not expensive; but may be difficult for a hobbyist to obtain. With the huge turnover of equipment in our throwaway, consumer society, it is tempting to recover devices from spent products for use in new projects. There are some things the hobbyist should know before reaping the benefits ... More..
Sciences > Physics Impedance defined: 1 of 1

Impedance (Z) is the sum of resistance (the real part) and reactance (the imaginary part). The reader is invited to search Helium for 'complex numbers' for further explanation of the real and imaginary terms. The reciprocal of impedance is admittance (Y).Resistance (R) is the reciprocal in conductance (M); or how well somethi... More..
Sciences > Physics The new luminescence technologies: Beyond the filament bulb: 1 of 1

Filament lamps have been a source of light for us for more than a century. They have been superceded technically by fluorescent lighting, electroluminescent lamps and by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in recent years, but millions of filament lamps are still made and used globally.The humble filament lamp, or good old-fashioned... More..
Hobbies & Games > Yarn & Needle Crafts Sailmaking skills: Historical traditions with lasting value: 1 of 1

The craftsman sailmakers of old made more than just sails. They made bags, pails, awnings, bathtubs, shelters and a whole host of other items. Those same artifacts have utility in today's world, and their beauty and rugged charm are timeless.The skills themselves have direct relationship with 'domestic' needlework, and the to... More..
Food & Drink > Liquors & Spirits Marrow Rum: Wine anyone can make: 1 of 1

Dissatisfied with home wine kits? Leave all that chemical taste behind, with a simple, cheap and tasty recipe for real home-made wine.Take a regular 1Kg - 2Kg marrow. Cut the last three inches off the stalk end, and remove the seeds with a large spoon. These may be discarded, but save that cut-off end...Stand the marrow on it... More..
Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) Beginner's guide to shortwave listening: 2 of 3

Shortwave listening is easier to begin now than at any time in radio's 100 or so years of history. Suitable radio sets are available for a few dollars upward, and the skills are already built-in! Just turn on, tune in and listen...Shortwave radio is intended for reception all over the world. Broadcasts are made by state radio... More..
Sciences > Physics The uses of particles accelerators: 4 of 5

The commonest use of particle accelerators is in the ion implantation process, where dopant ions are implanted in the surface of a semiconductor wafer to produce electronic devices.The technology is now decades old, and many implanters are in use around the world in wafer fabrication plants. The process is complementary to th... More..
Pets & Animals > Rabbits Assessing the qualities of rabbits as pets: 9 of 10

Rabbits are low-maintenance pets with some special qualities which make them ideal for young people.If you want a single rabbit, then anything goes. If you want two or more, then does (females) are the safe option. Bucks (males) will fight if they smell a doe nearby (in a neighbour's garden, perhaps), and mixed genders will b... More..