I'm kinda of on an astronomy kick since the weather continues not to be good for visual observing. So I just got done reading an article that talks of learning the constellations and the article got me thinking. I learned the constellations with a planisphere and from time to time I will still use one. However, in the article the author talks how he had a group of novice astronomy students out and each had a copy of the Edmund's Scientific Planisphere. Some also had SkySafari, StarMap and Distant Suns on their cell phones and they found the constellations and objects far quicker than those using the planisphere. Thus the author came to the conclusion that cell phones and apps are probably on the verge of replacing the planisphere as the tool used for finding constellations and other deep sky objects, especially for the younger generation. One of my observing friends is in his 20's and he uses Distant Suns in the field all the time. So the question I ask is do you use a traditional planisphere (and I could say atlas since some of these aps go down quite deep) or are you still an old book, atlas, planisphere type of guy? It also leads to an interesting thought which is what will be the tools of the amateur astronomer say in 20 or 30 years? -- Jay Eads