Dear STARTREK.COM,
I seem to remember a time when DVDs came with a list of chapters on a card, but now whenever I purchase a new release on DVD it's either a sheet of paper (instead of card stock) or nothing at all (except for various adverts). What happened?
Robert

Robert,
Good question, one that echoes several e-mails. To our knowledge, the practice of using chapter cards inside the DVD packaging was stopped because it was viewed as a bit redundant. The chapter list is on the DVD menu when you load the disc, and as it's a visual medium, as opposed to music CDs, it makes less sense to have this information on a card. Personally, I've never actually referenced the card for chapters so it doesn't really bother me. Also, you could look at this as a small, but important, way to conserve resources!

Steven,
Of course, we could tell you. But we will have to transport you back to the 18^th Century in order to keep it a secret.

Actually, Kirk's infractions are on a need-to-know basis only, provided you have the appropriate temporal clearance. We can tell you this much: his first temporal infraction occurred in 2266, and the last was 2283. Or was that 2371?

Dear STARTREK.COM
I'd like to know what the good folks at STARTREK.COM thought about the ending show for Enterprise, "These Are the Voyages."

First of all, was it a good idea to bring in other series regulars? And why not bring in some from DS9 or Voyager if this were truly the "Valentine" for the fans, but only in cameo roles so the Enterprise regulars could have more screen time?

Secondly, why did they feel they had to kill off the character of Trip Tucker? Why kill any of the NX-01 crew for that matter? It hurt to see the manner in which Trip died also ... he never lost his cool in the Expanse for crying out loud! I think that holographic program was flawed. *shakes head sadly*
Carol Ann N., Vinton, LA

Carol Ann,
We mentioned last time that we had several e-mails along these lines, so we thought we would publish one for posterity. Yes, the finale was a bit of a disappointment, we admit. It was a nice concept, and it had its moments, but overall it left us with a sense of wonder: We wonder why Trip had to die the way he did, why Archer's speech wasn't heard, why two TNG stars had to flesh out the episode. Don't get us wrong, we love the Riker and Troi characters, and would always want to see them onscreen, but the crew that we watched for four years didn't get their proper due.

Dear STARTREK.COM
I recently read an article on Tom Arp regarding Star Trek set construction and viewed several movies on the making of ST:TNG props with Penny Juday. I would like to express how thrilled I was with both of these features. As a graduate student of Visual Effects, I always had an interest in production sets and props. I've found the article and the movies to be interesting and informative (not to mention inspirational and motivating). I have many more articles to read and items to view from the "Behind Star Trek" area of the Web site, but because of my enthusiasm for this type of material, I had to write to you right away.

Please express my gratitude to Mr. Arp and Mrs. Juday for sharing their knowledge. I sincerely hope to see more of these features in the weeks to come.

Yours Truly,
Mark M., Savannah, GA

Thanks Mark. Consider your gratitude expressed. We have a few more of these features in the pipeline too, so stay tuned!

Finally, it's time for a few fan tributes to a fallen idol, Mr. James Doohan:

The passing of an Icon – James Doohan.

I am an Engineer. I am proudly a product of what Scotty emblazoned into my mind as the "end all, be all" to engineering. I have a degree in Architectural Technology, yet I chose a field in Engineering because of Scotty. Frank Lloyd Wright be damned! I wanted to fix things, I wanted to be that "miracle worker" when the chips were down. My life was changed by this man. As, I suppose, were many others in the world.

Many people in the world have their heroes. Mine were few ... John Wayne and Scotty. Never in my life had I imagined ever meeting my idol. Until about three years ago. I was coming home to Detroit from a business trip to Chicago and I was standing in line at the boarding area in O'Hare Airport's United terminal. As I waited to get my seat assignment I heard the two men behind me arguing on whether or not it was really "him." Back and forth they went. I turned and asked who they were talking about and one man pointed to "him." This gentleman was sure it was the "guy who played Scotty," where as the other gentleman was sure it wasn't. I turned to look at the man he was pointing at. I knew the face. Make-up or not, uniform or not, it was indeed Scotty. I told the gentlemen that as soon as I got my seat assignment I was going to find out for sure, and that if they saw me standing there talking with him for more then just a few seconds, then rest assured it was him.

I could not hold back my enthusiasm as I worked my way to getting checked in. Once I had my boarding pass I bolted to where Mr. Doohan was standing, talking with friends. I stood by and waited as he spoke to one person, then he lifted his head and looked at me. I excused myself for being as giddy as a schoolboy for finally meeting my hero face to face. I asked if he was indeed James Doohan of Star Trek fame. Weakened by time, I could see that age was creeping in on him. Not the spry engineering figure from the television and movies but more "earthy" in his appearance. Dignified, as I expected, he smiled and said, "Aye lad, that I am." Spoken in the familiar dialogue I had known all to well. As I explained, he was the one man in my life that pointed me in the professional direction I had pursued. I didn't wish to intrude on his time and his graciousness but wondered if I could have just an autograph. I offered my pen and my envelope that held my boarding pass. His writing was a bit shaky, but that really didn't matter. He asked me to sit with him for a few minutes before it was time to board and as he asked me questions about my life. Here was a man, a celebrity, interested in me. I felt so humble.

The minutes flew by all too quickly for me and it was time to board the plane. Of course he had first class accommodations and I was in regular coach class. As we boarded, I got to my seat and buckled in. As I saw the two men that were talking behind me earlier in line walk down the aisle heading for their seats, I heard one of them say, " Well, nothing is going to happen to this flight, we have Scotty on board."

All I could do was to nod my head in agreement.
Jody D. J., S.E.T.
Berkley, Michigan