From: Diana Botsford <Diana_Botsford@hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 3 Jul 1999 11:58:08 -0500 Fwd Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 02:21:17 -0400 Subject: UFOMSN World Wide Watch: Database Now Available ============================= Visit http://communities.msn.com/ufo to download a zip file containing the raw data and excel and access versions of the database. You can also view the results of top relevant data via the web and the final map images that display the results. ============================= World Wide Watch Closure By Diana Botsford Publisher/Community Manager UFO Community on MSN Life is never as it seems, goes the saying. And that would certainly apply to the startling results of an event for which we had little expectations. People 'into' UFOs were in factions - one not wanting to deal with the other. Of course, our original hope was to get some of the larger organizations working together. But in increasing surprise, the World Wide Watch took on a life of itself during the weeks leading up to the event. It in itself became a conduit for community. And no, I don't mean this website. I mean the entire world wide community of people who are interested in the UFO phenomenon. At a time when the field of Ufology is riddled with hoaxes, anger and even lawsuits, thousands of individuals from 51 different countries teamed up in recognition that they were not alone. The fact that others shared their interest and were ready to throw down the differences and share their knowledge is perhaps the most vital key to understanding why, on June 26th, the sightings submission page saw over 950,000 hits. And 39% of those 'hits' were from outside the United States. True, the results were less than dazzling - from a strictly scientific point of view. La Nina was busy with a vengence on June 26th, 1999. Australia, the kick-off point for this expedition, was 90% covered by clouds. Great Britain was essentially rained out and clouds banked most of the sky throughout Europe. The mid-west portions of the United States saw muggy, cloudy humidty as well. And of course, there is certainly a share of the reports that are seemingly bogus. One participant claimed that Howard Stern was a fellow witness! But forget the science for a moment and consider this. We received over 6,000 emails and newsgroup postings in addition to the responses that organizations such as Skywatch International (who played a key role in organizing this event) committing to the event. What exactly does this mean? Does it simply mean the interest continues? Or something more? Call me an optimist, but I do see something more in all this. The people involved with this event dropped their differences and committed to an event that is simply about seeking information. Nothing more, nothing less. They downloaded the star maps provided. They shared cell phone numbers. And they made contact with each. They recognized that there is in fact something more important than ego. And that's seeking the truth. In whatever form it may take. Perhaps we are finally growing up. If we can finally see past our isolated selves and work together, no matter our differences, the answers to the puzzle of UFOs are just moments away. Diana Botsford ---------------------------------------------------------------- THANK YOU: A large event like this is never the result of one person's ideas. An ever ending thanks goes to the entire MSN UFO Staff, the tremendous efforts of Jim Hickman of Skywatch International, Tom Sheets of MUFON Georgia, Diane Harrison of AUFORN and Mark Hall of CSETI UK as well as the incredible talents of the media - who supported and encouraged our efforts. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To find out more about the event and who was behind it, visit the main page for the World Wide Watch at http://communities.msn.com/ufo/wwwmain.asp You can still fill in our report form or take a look at the results to date. A database will soon be released to the public showing the results in both a raw data fashion as well a series of patterns. Join our newsgroup to discuss your results at news://msnnews.msn.com/msn.forums.ufo.wwwatch. Those with questions can email the MSN UFO team at watchfire_FM@msn.com.
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