So far I have stayed out of the math-fun politics, but it appears some people like to complain about math-fun. I propose a solution. Someone want to start a new math-fun-politics whereby everyone can complain about every particular of math-fun. The math-fun-politics could then be summarized, and sent out once every couple months to the math-fun list. ----- Original Message ----- From: <mcintosh@servidor.unam.mx> To: <math-fun@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 11:22 PM Subject: Re: [math-fun] Re: HTML in math-fun, seqfan posts
Quoting wpthurston@mac.com:
On Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 07:54 AM, David Wilson wrote: [something which implied that we are all lesser people if we don't use the latest fads in technology]
Maybe I should give up reading ASCII on our Model 33 teletype which has served us well over the years. Common denominators do have their place, after all. To take an example, this group has frequent postings of intricate identities involving hypergeometric functions, amongst other complex textual material. I am sure those formulas would have looked much prettier had they been typeset in LaTeX, which has now given way to PDF and then to other things.
Neverthelesss, it seems to me that people have been interested in the information content, and have been willing to forego elaborate displays which only a few (or maybe, just not everybody) have the fortune to possess, or at least have access to. It is the old problem of whether you can express something in words, even though pictures, dramatic presentations, or other adornments could enhance understanding.
A practical solution to this dilemma, which also cuts down on bandwidth, is to post a description of whatever is interesting at the moment and then refer those who are concerned and have the facilities, to a deposit where a more elaborate presentation can be consulted.
Whatever happened to that Internet II, which was supposed to have stupendous bandwith and allow the exchange of far fatter mesages? On Internet I, I have the delight of accesssing sites where the commercials load instantly while the text I want to see dawdles along, where I am offered a wonderful selection of things I will never buy, and so on .... I have a certain nostalgia for discussion groups which stick to a topic, where the exchanges are short and concise (with pointers, if need be, to the rest of the world).
No doubt better technology will come along, and this group will begin to use it. Or other groups will be formed to take its place. In the meantime I will endure multiple copies of all (well, some) postings in French, English, and German, as well as Microsoft Office, as I merrily skip over the "personality enhancers," credit restorers, online casinos, and the remaining benefits of modern communications.
- hvm
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