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ken_in_dfw

Mar 23, 2010, 6:34 PM

Post #1 of 13 (5073 views)

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Cracking the Maya Code

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Hi all - as I'm not sure what access those of you with satellite/cable TV in México have to U.S. PBS programming, I wanted to alert you to a fascinating edition of the award-winning science program, NOVA, entitled, "Cracking the Maya Code." Here's a short description of the program:

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The ancient Maya civilization of Central America left behind an intricate and mysterious hieroglyphic script, carved on monuments, painted on pottery, and drawn in handmade bark-paper books. For centuries, scholars considered it too complex ever to understand—until recently, when an ingenious series of breakthroughs finally cracked the code and unleashed a torrent of new insights into the Mayas' turbulent past. For the first time, NOVA presents the epic inside story of how the decoding was done—traveling to the remote jungles of southern Mexico and Central America to investigate how the code was broken and what Maya writings now reveal.

The hieroglyphs of Palenque featured prominently in this story. I was absolutely mesmerized at how different linguists and scientists contributed pieces of the puzzle to bring Mayan culture, language, and, ultimately, their history, to life. Through a combination of intensive study and interviewing modern Mayan peoples, they have actually been able to resurrect some of the ancient language. You can hear one of the researchers, Barbara MacLeod, speaking the language on this podcast.

There are a load of fascinating goodies on the site, including an interactive view of a mural as it was originally painted, a map of the Maya world, and a timeline of how the "code" was cracked. Even if you don't have access to PBS, you can watch the program online. For anyone even remotely interested in this part of the world, this program is well worth your time.

Now I want to go to Palenque!

Rolly

Mar 23, 2010, 7:24 PM

Post #2 of 13 (5054 views)

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Re: [ken_in_dfw] Cracking the Maya Code

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Those of us in México cannot watch online.

We're sorry, but due to rights restrictions this program is only available for online viewing in the United States. You appear to be connected to the Internet from outside this area.

Rolly Pirate

ken_in_dfw

Mar 23, 2010, 7:45 PM

Post #3 of 13 (5047 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Cracking the Maya Code

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Oooh, I HATE when that happens! Grrr!

I run into the same problem when I want to watch some of the great programming offered by the BBC. Sorry about that!

Maybe it's time to fight fire with fire. ... just a thought. Of course, if you want to be above board and support the valuable service that PBS provides, you can buy the DVD (assuming you've either got a region-free DVD player, or one that reads region 1 DVDs). Oh, well... Sigh.

Papirex

Mar 23, 2010, 8:00 PM

Post #4 of 13 (5044 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Cracking the Maya Code

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Rolly you are right, it is usually impossible to watch any US TV station down here online, including PBS.

I watched the house vote to pass the health care bill in the congress two nights ago on my laptop computer on several US TV channels. The video was a little fuzzy sometimes in full screen mode, although a flat panel monitor makes a big difference, and the audio left a lot to be desired sometimes. Of course, the speakers in most laptops are a little tinny sounding anyway. At one point, I couldn't hear the audio so I plugged in my earbuds. I was only getting audio in my left earbud. The programs have two outstanding good qualities though. They are free and they are available in México. I use these two programs http://wwitv.com/ and http://www.okilydokily.ca/?page_id=132 the first one is the best of the two I think. Those two programs may be handy if you are ever out of The US and you have a laptop with you. You must download a free decoder for both of them. They are a little clunky to use, you can't tell if anything is being broadcast until you click on a channel. I have watched channels from San Francisco and Sacramento, etc. though. Incidentally. they were expecting snow in the higher elevations in Alabama that night.

I have tried some other programs to receive TV down here, but I always get the message that because of licensing restrictions, they cannot broadcast the programs outside of The USA. I tried a few of the programs to hide my ISP so it would appear that I am in The United States, that works for some people down here, but they always know I am in México. It is the same with US radio stations down here, I cannot receive them through a service like Pandora. I do have a couple of US radio stations I can get down here, but they are stations that have their own website, and they don't check to find out where I am

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

La Isla

Mar 23, 2010, 8:04 PM

Post #5 of 13 (5037 views)

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Re: [Papirex] Cracking the Maya Code

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If you buy an inexpensive subscription, you can listen to MLB all baseball season long on your computer. I'm really looking forward to the first game in April. Go Phillies!!

Rolly

Mar 23, 2010, 8:09 PM

Post #6 of 13 (5033 views)

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Re: [Papirex] Cracking the Maya Code

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You can watch all the MSNBC-TV programs online as well as the PBS News Hour. There are several other PBS programs that are available here online. but, alas, not all of them.

Rolly Pirate

La Isla

Mar 23, 2010, 8:31 PM

Post #7 of 13 (5025 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Cracking the Maya Code

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Thanks for the tips, Rolly.

chicois8

Mar 23, 2010, 8:39 PM

Post #8 of 13 (5022 views)

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Re: [ken_in_dfw] Cracking the Maya Code

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It is a great program, I have seen it a couple time since it first aired in 2008, I was able to visit Palenque last year and I believe this program made the visit more interesting...enjoy

Manuel Dexterity

Mar 24, 2010, 6:19 AM

Post #9 of 13 (4999 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Cracking the Maya Code

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Gimme the link!!! Yankees rule!!

Digo....por favor!

(This post was edited by Manuel Dexterity on Mar 24, 2010, 6:20 AM)

La Isla

Mar 24, 2010, 9:23 AM

Post #10 of 13 (4970 views)

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Re: [Manuel Dexterity] Cracking the Maya Code

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Hi Fellow Baseball Fan,

Here's the link so you can register and sign up for MLB Gameday Audio:
https://secure.mlb.com/campaign/login_register.jsp?voucherCode=MLBTV_VOCHR&sku=ATBATPCSUBSEA2010&c_id=mlb&k

There's also a fairly pricey (for me, at least) TV option, but I can't vouch for how reliable it would be in Mexico. The audio service works well most of the time.

The Yankees ruled in 2009, but what about 2008?

See you at the e-ballpark!

MO

chinagringo

Mar 26, 2010, 4:36 PM

Post #11 of 13 (4868 views)

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Re: [Manuel Dexterity] Cracking the Maya Code

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Just like Manuel, I have to wonder just why people choose to support any other team and not the Yankees. Since attending Game 5 of the 1956 World Series and watching Don Larsen pitch his perfect game from box seats right behind home plate - I have been a diehard Yankee Fan!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

chicois8

Mar 31, 2010, 8:55 AM

Post #12 of 13 (4743 views)

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Yea, best team money can buy........but what do the Yankees have to do with breaking the Mayan code???????

skjellyfetti

Apr 3, 2010, 11:19 PM

Post #13 of 13 (4673 views)

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You can stream this on youtube. Part 1 is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzXbBEMngI8

And the channel that it is on... "DocumentalesMexico" is full of documentaries and television specials on Mexico

(This post was edited by Rolly on Apr 4, 2010, 7:00 AM)