Is that slide rule that's in the picture, or is it a substitute for a set of parallel rules? Seems to look like something I've seen that would be the latter.

I am a user of triangles when it comes to chart plotting, although I've used parallel rules any number of times. I think anyone who relies on navigation should be able to use both.

I will admit to being shaky with the log tables. I was taught how to use them, then quite promptly allowed to forget. Other set of tables I have no problems with using.

We've got lots of skills that are lost among the general population, in a lot of areas. I know few women today who can knit. While Mom has knitted, she has not in more than 20 years, but she was no match for anyone in her mother's generation. There are examples of the traditional skills practiced by both men and women disappearing, and, FWIW, I have no qualms about someone crossing gender lines in this regard.