Posts by Pompous Git

Re: Cargo Cult Science

It's also on archive.org for free:

An Introduction To Probability Theory And Its Applications Volume 1

Yer blood's worth bottlin' as we say in these parts :-)

without statistics there is no science.

Given that statistics didn't really take off until the 19th C I take it you believe there was no science before then. Many historians of science wouldn't believe you. Aristotle for example was doing some very interesting stuff in marine biology two and a half thousand years ago. Not to mention formalising the logic that allows our computers to do their stuff.

So the question is does this affect the raw data? If not, they can just reprocess with the fixed software...

You are assuming here that the original data still exists. Sometimes it "goes missing" as in the case with the Climatic Research Unit at East Anglia U. This is also known as "the dog ate my homework" excuse. Paleoclimatologist Lonnie Thompson (ice cores) has never archived his data to the best of my knowledge. IOW don't hold your breath. Sometimes you can get lucky and find data that "no longer exists" on an anonymous FTP server. Scientists aren't necessarily computer literate or security conscious.

Re: Trust your slide rule.

The Git whips out his Accu-Math 400 and says: "By golly; he's absolutely correct". :-)

Re: Cargo Cult Science

Go read Feller, "An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications". Amazon finally has it paperback so you do not have to shell out the relatively obscene 100 or so quid for the harcover

A lot less than 100 quid from Abebooks. Thanks for the pointer :-)

Re: Cargo Cult Science

"The whole point of science is to be able to question EVERYTHING."

Except you don't. You assume that the scales and thermometers are accurate. You are heading towards Descartes's evil demon with your thinking. It's 'standing on the shoulders of giants', not 'standing behind them constantly checking their shoes'.

I think you missed the word ABLE.

You can assume that "thermometers are accurate" all you want, but that doesn't mean you are correct. Different sensors may well agree that water freezes at 0 C and boils at 100 C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere, but will disagree on air temperature when placed in a screen.

The energy balance of small temperature sensors was modelled to illustrate the

effects of sensor characteristics, particularly size, on the accuracy of readings in the presence of

strong shortwave or longwave radiant loads. For all but extremely small sensors, radiant

exchange may lead to unacceptable errors. The common practice of using passively ventilated

instrument screens was evaluated in a series of comparative measurements. The differences

resulting from the use of different models of shields may be an order of magnitude greater than

the error resulting from sensor calibration. In the absence of technological innovation capable

of reducing the error due to radiant exchange to negligible proportions, it is suggested that a

standard methodology for calibrating and labelling the error resulting from the characteristics

of the screens be adopted, to allow comparison of new data with long-established records.

http://www.fau.usp.br/aut5823/Medicoes/Erell_Leal_Maldonado_2005_Abrigos_Radiacao.pdf

assume = to make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'.

Re: "Cargo cult science is a bit harsh for most."

Could I have checked that when I bought it? Yes, of course, but you assume that the company selling right angles sells right angles, and not sort-of right angles. Do I "deserve [my] five minutes of shame"? I am not sure.

No, you don't deserve shame, but you have learnt a valuable lesson: A careful workman never assumes; he checks. First building site I worked on I was taught two things:

Measure twice and cut once.

If you've got time to do it twice, you've got time to do it right the first time.

Easy way to check a carpenter's square is to draw a line while holding it against a straight edge. Flip it and draw another line a smidgeon* away from the first. If the lines are not parallel, the square is useless.

* Technically, a red cunt hair, but if there's no red cunt available, a smidgeon is near enough.

Re: "Final push"

But they [Walmart] also sell printers, which still call for PCs (and normally Windows PCs) to work...

Are you suggesting that we purchase expensive return air fares to MerkinLand to purchase from a store that you say refuses to sell PCs without Windows? That's fucking insane!

As for printers needing PCs, yes there are some that require PCs running Windows (GDI printers), but I'm willing to bet my Postscript Level 3 printer will work with most computers. Ditto for the PCL printers I've owned.

You might want to check the floor for marbles.

Re: This will be nearly IMPOSSIBLE to believe, but...

Sounds like you've been infected with Back Orifice (or whatever the equivalent is these days).

Well, concerning the sign cutter, you're in a dilemma

....

As for Media Center, have you tried Kodi or MediaPortal?

Not my dilemma, but one foisted on an acquaintance by MS. Unsurprisingly, he wasn't impressed when MS decided he needed to be put out of business.

Why on Earth would I try Kodi or MediaPortal? I've only ever been pwned by MS and have no intention of ever allowing that to happen again. Rather than having to continually fend off their attacks I installed Cinnamon Mint and relevant software. Lot less hassle and after 12 months I'm still happy with my decision.

Re: A final throw of the dice before

More likely Windows will be going completely free for consumers.

Where in the EULA does it say MS will be paying for Internet access? MS managed to steal ~30GB of my bandwidth before I installed Linux Mint and so far there's no cheque in the mail.

Bottom line is you want to run proper software you need an Windows 10 installation.

OK smart-arse, how do you continue in business with a vinyl sign-cutter when the driver is incompatible with W10 and the manufacturer has no intention of releasing one? How do I continue using the entertainment PC to record and watch shows off-line when there's no Windows Media Centre and the software that came with the TV capture card won't work on W10 (or W7 or W8 for that matter?).

Re: Updates off - Rock on

So, essentially, you're calling the rest of us hypocrites? Tell me then, were you really "rolling on the floor" writing that...?

If the cap fits...

Good job I didn't type ROFLMAO as that would presumably have you calling me a liar because my arse remained where it usually is.

Re: Linux Alternatives: difficulty of installing Linux --

My point is, I have not had the problems with Linux that you describe -- not since about 2005, anyway.

Only problem here has been my Lexmark C543dn printer announcing that the waste toner receptacle is full. Doesn't prevent the printer working; it's an annoyance rather than a show stopper.

I've had more problems with Windows drivers in the past than I've had with Linux Mint 17.x.

Re: A final throw of the M$ dice before?

So, as long as I cannot buy a PC without having to buy the "bundled" slurpware I don't want, I'll call them M$

That is plain and simple extortion, so they fully deserve it.

So you'd rather piss and moan, and tell lies than pick up the 'phone and ask the Dell sales rep (for example) and ask "How much for a model XYZ without Windows?". Some people are just too fucking stupid or lazy to wonder how MS manages to sell volume licenses if the purchaser has already been "forced" to purchase a Windows licence with every computer. FFS!

Re: It's those nasty penguin people

Quite a long time ago now i computing terms (~~2000) I used to pay for SUSE Linux ( ~£50 if i recall correctly)

Still got my SuSE 7.1 and the little green lizard badge :-)

Re: Updates off - Rock on

Com'n now. Tell the truth!

I have records of all the laddies here that swore they WOULD NEVER upgrade to Win-7. Wanna see them?

ROFL! Sounds like a now deceased Merkin friend who was never going to have a telephone, or colour TV set.Have an upvote :-)

Re: Over 300 million people...

They all, almost without exception, get it supplied with their new computer via OEM license. Only businesses and OEMs buy windows.

You forgot about pompous gits ;-)

The Git retired from the industry in 2000 and purchased four OEM w7 licenses since his MSDN subscription lapsed. Hint: Macbooks don't come with Windows, nor do machines that you build for yourself.

More like "plug and pray." I cannot count the number of times I've had linux installs fail to install, crash and panic for no apparent reason...

User error? Or are you recalling Linux distros long lost in the mists of time? There might be a few here using a pre-Unity Ubuntu, but most appear to be using much more recent distros.

Re: Let the lawsuits begin

A "Few Hundred Thousand" would equate to $3 billion dollars being paid out to people, a bit excessive for a OS upgrade isn't it?.

Not really when you consider that MS have decided to remove Windows Media Centre and W10 doesn't recognise your TV capture device. If they want to cripple your computer to that extent, then surely they should pay for the fix.

Re: lemmings to the slaughter

Déjà fool!

However you might be correct in describing it as a beta program.

Serious Q: Is W10 out of beta yet?

Secondly, to the general point of saving seeds: people don't do that any more. The world has moved on and we all use Hybrid seeds nowadays because the yield is higher (and yes, that includes the poor African farmer).

Total tonnages of Australian production 2015:

Wheat 2.2 million tonnes

Oats 1.2 million tonnes

Barley 7.9 million tonnes

Total 11.3 million tonnes

Vegetable production ~2 million tonnes the bulk being potatoes and tomatoes.

While hybrid barley is gradually becoming popular, very little hybrid wheat is grown. Nearly all cereal production is from seed saved from the current crop, not bought in.

I don't know of any hybrid potatoes being grown commercially here; that is, potatoes being grown from true seed. Potatoes are grown from tubers saved for propagation. Every few years, a farmer will buy in certified virus-free "seed" (tubers), but you generally get the best crop from tubers grown from certified. Russet Burbank would likely be the most grown potato (thanx McDonalds) and they are decidedly not hybrid.

A very great deal of tomatoes are grown from hybrid seed, but since tomatoes are self-fertile, it's trivially easy to save seed from them. Mostly the hybrids were developed for resistance to verticillium, fusarium and nematodes, not to increase yields.

So I call bullshit that "we all use Hybrid seeds nowadays because the yield is higher".

Re: @Lost all faith... Gene escape

What's more likely is that the Dutch, being amongst the first colonists, found (natural) orange carrots and spread them throughout their colonies.

"Natural" carrots are called Queen Anne's Lace and are white, not purple. I just dug some up from Mrs Git's garden to confirm.

Re: @d3vy

It's sort of like trying to take advantage of prototypes of an invention (that eventually gets patented) you happen to find in a waste tip. It's still a patented invention.

Bad analogy. Resistance to glyphosate is not a human invention. Or are you claiming somebody invented clover?

Secondly, to the general point of saving seeds: people don't do that any more. The world has moved on and we all use Hybrid seeds nowadays because the yield is higher (and yes, that includes the poor African farmer). Your comment betrays your ignorance every part of the issue at hand.

OK smart-arse, where do these hybrid seeds come from if they aren't grown by people? Factories? FFS...

Do I have to pay the EPR* on harvested grain that I have retained as seed for planting next year?

AGT** does not require growers to pay a royalty on seed saved for planting.

Some breeders/owners may insist that growers pay a royalty on farmer saved seed, while others do not.

* An End Point Royalty (EPR) is a fee paid on every tonne of grain produced (and sold as grain) by growers for each particular variety.

** Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) is Australia's largest plant breeding company, and the market leader in wheat genetics.

Re: Hybrid crops.

Saving and planting the seed from a hybrid crop then gives a much lower yield. So, farmers do not save seed from hybrid crops anyway because there is a huge impact from doing so.

Thanks for not repeating the usual canard that seed from hybrids is infertile. While some hybrids are generated for vigour, this is not the only purpose for hybridisation. Vegetable producers need uniformity in size rather than maximising yields. Carrots, for example, need to fit into the polystyrene trays that they are packed in for retail. Carrots that are too long, or too short are rejected. The "ideal" carrot is one where every carrot matures at the same time since they are (nearly always) machine harvested.

The particular carrot variety I grow these days is a hybrid. The purpose of the cross is for enhanced flavour. While I couldn't grow this variety for market were I certified organic still, I am free to do so in my home garden when I only have myself and dinner guests to consume them.

The main reason growers don't save their own seed is that their contracts don't allow them to. The seed is supplied by the purchaser of the crop, usually a major multinational such as McCain, Edgell/Birdseye etc.

Organic farms done properly have better yield than their chemical competitors ...

Careful with that axe, Eugene ;-)

It's a bit complicated. Organic methods can easily generate much higher yields per unit area than conventional agriculture. BUT that doesn't mean that profits are much higher. Comparisons between conventional and organic nearly all show markedly similar profitability. One difference I remarked on when I first became involved in farming was that organic farms carried much smaller debt loads. This made a big difference in the 1980s when interest rates rose considerably. Hardest hit were the Australian farmers who had been sold loans in US currency as the exchange rate also hit them and many were bankrupted.

Someone above said this isn't really about the science and this is true. It's about economics. And choice. If I'm an organic farmer and my neighbour decides to grow GM, then my farm is decertified due to contamination.

A related issue is that conventional farming (i.e. artificial fertilisers/synthetic pesticides/hybrid seed outperforms organic under ideal conditions. In bad seasons, the reverse is true. Prices tend to be considerably higher in bad seasons and lower in ideal growing seasons. Maximising your yields when prices are lowest and minimising them when prices are highest never made any sense to me.

Re: @d3vy

@DougS

You refer to Percy Schmeiser. He came to Tasmania many years ago to spread his message regarding the dangers of cross-contamination from GMO crops. Percy was never shown to have benefited from the RoundupReady genes in his crop. The only Roundup he used was along fencelines and around some power poles where he actually wanted the canola to die, not survive. His crop grown from his own seed was never sprayed with herbicides of any kind.

There has been a trend in farming for many years now called chemical ploughing. Rather than breaking up the soil to control weeds prior to sowing, you spray them off, usually with Roundup (or generic glyphosate these days). Roundup Ready genes in weeds means you can no longer do this and have to either go back to mechanical ploughing and the attendant loss of soil structure, or use another herbicide.

Needless to say Monsanto will sell you that protected by patent herbicide. Before the patent on Roundup ran out, it cost several times as much as generic glyphosate does now.

Re: Seed ownership

These aren't problems with GM, though, they are problems with multinational organisations. Monsanto could, in fact, have exactly the same practices with non-GM varieties which they have bred.

Except that if I purchase conventional seed from Monsanto I don't have to sign a commercial in confidence contract and I don't know of anyone who has. I was for a decade a market gardener and I always purchased decent seed. The seeds sold to home gardener's BTW is mostly utter shite. When you are growing vegetables for living, you want every seed to count and that costs a significant premium and most such seed is produced by/for big agribusinesses such as Monsanto.

GMO canola seed is certainly not sterile as claimed elsewhere in this thread. It is however a "hard" seed. That is some of it lies dormant in the season of sowing and germinates in subsequent seasons so you sow sufficient seed to compensate. A Scandinavian researcher told me that a paddock used for a canola trial he conducted was still generating canola plants a decade after it was sown down to grass. If it was a commercial GMO canola, that means under the contract the farmer would still be paying for seed ten years after the original purchase!