Well, I'm more partial to a base 25, but that's because I'm a geek and loved the Myst series.
As for percentages in a base 10, how do those fall apart in mental arithmatic? Percents should be VERY easy to calculate mentally. Or do you mean fractions into percentages? Yeah, those can get tricky, but keep in mind this: If you need precision calculations, you'll probably have to tools for that (since you're probably building something, etc); but if a general number is ok, mental rounding should work fine.
And just to let you know, liters (or litres if you prefer) ARE different than gallons. But if you have a container of gas, the amount of gas is the same no matter which scale you measure it with.
"I swear they design their prices to produce that result on purpose for some reason."
Actually, there is quite a bit of theory out there on that. Do some searching around for "psychological pricing". Some of the hypothesized reasons are:
1)a perceived savings over competition by reducing the price by a few cents... thus minimizing the impact to actual profit;
2)giving the illusion that you're paying less than actual cost (if it's $4.97, it must have REALLY been priced at $5.00, so I'm saving money!);
3)round characters attract the eyes, so a price ending in .99 will be more visible. I don't really buy this one though, because a price ending in .00 has even BIGGER round bits.
4) (my fav) odd prices were implemented in early cash-register days to force employees to have to make change, thus having to open the cash register which creates a record of the sale. This would prevent the employee from just pocketing the bill with no evidence of a sale.
I always thought the reason for refusing larger bills was to give the illusion that there would be no large bills on premesis to steal. Like if a pizza deliver guy can't accept anything larger than a $20, I won't be able to mug him for a $50 or $100.
I like where you're going, but I think the best solution would still be for parents to raise their children with a proper sense of responsibility for their actions and to actually THINK about what they're doing.
This isn't an issue that technology or a little thumb-bracelet is going to solve. It's going to stop when people realize that driving a car is operating a 1/2ton+ killing machine that requires full concentration. Do I get distracted while driving? Occasionally, yes. But I have the wherewithal to chastise myself and feel like an ass for letting my attention wander. Just like I how I feel that I'm the stupidest moron on the road when that yellow light doesn't last as long as I thought it would.
But you know what? I've never had an accident because I wasn't paying attention. Only once because I assumed someone had pulled off without verifying. And I never contested my own idiocy for that action.
Ummm... you do realize that the scales are not in the same units? That's why they have different names. Just because freezing is 0c and 32f does not make 30c = 62f. The conversion is c = (5/9)*(f-32).
The temperature scale DOES work becuase we're just applying an arbitrary scale to an existing amount of heat.
Actually, if you have a target price for after taxes, it's simple arithmatic to get your pre-tax price. Want the final price to be $2.05? At 7% tax? Fine, your 'listed price should be' $1.92. Just divide the target price by your tax rate to get your starting price. 2.05 / 1.07 = 1.92. Easy.
declare war on texting? Seriously... that worked on drugs and terror. Right?
Rubber bracelets and car ribbons only support one thing... the manufacture of rubber bracelets and car ribbons. Still waiting to get my "I support car sticker manufacturing" ribbon for my car. Do they make "Rubber Bracelet" rubber bracelets?
Re: Re: Re: Solipsistic error: "I've seen absolutely nothing..."
"My sources tell me that..."
Can you cite these? Or are they just emails you got with a large number of "FW" at the beginning of the subject lines?
"a) TSA thugs have a quota of names to put on the no-fly list..."
First: by adding the word 'thugs' to the TSA, you're giving yourself the image of a 'conspiracy nut' or 'anti-establishment nut'... just so ya know.
Second: a quota of names to put on the no-fly list? Are you saying... oops, sorry... is your source saying that the TSA has a set number of names during a set period to add to the list? Are they directed to grow that list by a certain number of people over a certain time? Seems odd that the government would direct the TSA to gradually reduce air travel as a course of policy.
"b) at least a million names are on it at last report c) includes names of children, besides those of activists, and even those with *no* clue as to how got on it d) Senator Edward Kennedy was on it, ha, ha, just a little joke by the Bush administration to point up that it was using extra-legal means to harass a Senator, so can harass anyone."
Ok... again, citation? other than circulated emails?
"You can't have it both ways. NOW you're an authority on it, eh?"
As opposed to yourself who has the inside scoop from someone who knows these things, right?
I think, on the contrary, the ability to download a handful of songs you actually like for $10 is much better than paying $60+/- for a set of songs that may contain a few you like. I think adding on such a robust DLC catalog has helped Rockband immeasurably. And I think that's where they left Guitar Hero in the dust. And between the (arguably) better peripherals and more 'grown up' graphics, it left GH with the image of the kiddies' version of the genre. At least, that's how it looks to me.
Out of curiosity, where do you stand on the whole Big Government issue?
Why do we constantly turn to the government to police our convenience? Back in the day, you had to go to the ticket window to buy most tickets to most events. Along came technology and made things more convenient. Unfortunately, that also came with people looking to take advantage of that for money. I TRUELY wish we as a race have evolved past this petty greed by now, but alas we have not. I fully agree that the offending dirt bag (I think your word is too nice, by the way) should be cursed, mocked, and banned from ever buying from those vendors again. The last part of that is something the vendor is fully within its right to do. But why should it be made illegal?
If this is such a problem, them swallow your convenience and tell your local vendors to go back to a box-office system. So you won't be able to buy tickets online in advance... but they won't be as easily scalped, will they? Let's keep this in perspective here... these people are not robbing you of money... they're just taking advantage of your desire for convenience and your willingness to pay. Does it suck? Yes, absolutely. Should it be illegal? No.
And why should the law fight for your convenience? It's up to the venue and the performer to choose how to distribute admission to a show. It is up to the distributor to decide how fair they want to be and come up with a system to enforce thier system (within the law, of course). If someone breaks the law by defeating that system of fair distribution, then fine... go get 'em. Otherwise, your convenience (in and of itself) does not need a law to protect it.
"The only difference is that ticketmaster has a monopoly on it and are trying hard to keep it that way.
"
No, not really. Any performer can sell tickets themselves... and if a venue won't let them, the performer can choose another venue. I remember a while ago there was a lot of noise from some bands (Pearl Jam was one, if I remember correctly... it WAS a long time ago) that refused to use TM because of the ridiculous fees they add on. Too bad TM is still around and the 'movement' wasn't successful. I hate TM. BUT, they are a business that is not breaking any law or regulation... and they are far from a monopoly. They have just set themselves up as the most convenient option for many venues and bands. As a consumer, I am arguing with my money and choosing not to purchase through TM. Honestly, most of the time, I can't afford to go to shows anyway... partially because of TM's fees inflating the price. Oops on TM!
For example, I can purchase tickets to the local symphony directly from the symphony's website and they send me the tickets... nothing to do with TM. And only a small service & printing fee, I might add!
See my other post below (above? if you're viewing chronologically) for my opinion on the rights and wrongs of prohibition, et al.
As for appeal to authority... sorry, doesn't apply to my argument. An appeal to authority has nothing to do with 'the authority to govern' or 'the authorities'. The 'authority' that this logical fallacy references is an 'expert in the field' or 'someone with authority on the subject'. Since I wasn't referencing someone I thought had the authority to back up my statements, to which authority was making an appeal? If you're going to pick a logical fallacy to throw at me, make sure it fits the argument.
So we should secede from the US as those colonists did from Great Brittan because we feel we're being unjustly restrained by these copyright laws without being given proper representation?
Are you saying we should revolt and declare ourselves independent because we feel ANY of our laws are unjust and our interests are not being given fair representation?
Fine. I'll stand right next to you on that field so long as the laws in question are restraining people's right to freedom and the pursuit of happiness... something truly unjust. I think copyright laws are a little below the cut for that though. My point is that ignoring laws just because YOU feel they are wrong, as an individual, is presumptuous and egotistical. How is your interpretation of right and wrong any better than anyone else's?
If you want an unjust law changed or removed, take action towards that end... but just saying "nah, I disagree, I'm going to do this anyway", and then decrying the consequences, is wrong. That's not revolutionary; it's antisocial behavior, egocentric to think your opinion is the one that's right, and (in my opinion) stems from our societies modern over-inflated sense of entitlement... "I don't like this, so it should be changed to make me happy..."
You can argue all you want that that's what the speakeasy's did back in Prohibition, but you better remember to mention all the crime that came with it. The tight grip that organized crime held over some of the largest American cities and the many people who suffered and died because of that crime. Don't just gloss over to the happier parts of that story.
Now, look at the marijuana movement. There is strong political pressure being brought in quite a few areas (fairly peacefully, I might add) to change the laws that truly were misguided in the first place. But all the people out there who break the law by growing, trading in, or consuming marijuana are still subject to that law if caught. I won't look at someone who smokes pot and say "OMG!!! Scofflaw! Get 'em!!!". But I will say "you WERE breaking the law..." if they get arrested for it. It's your choice if you want to break that law you disagree with... but prepare to face the consequences. The consequences for pot is a variable array of fines and/or jail time... for speakeasies, it was rampant crime due to the criminalization of alcohol... for a bunch of colonists who felt taxation without representation was too unjust, it was a bloody, deadly war that cost 50,000 separatist casualties and $151 million in debt that took until the 1790's to pay off.
And to the point I FIRST made to Mike about "does it even matter if the CR & TM laws are in place on this software", yes it does matter. We can wax philosophic all we want about right and wrong of revolutionary behavior and effecting change... but my point was that you can't argue about one party abusing a law and then expect that the law be waived just because it would benefit 'your side'. As I said... instead of us thinking that the law be waived here, Square Enix could have (and in my opinion, should have) granted a free license to the individual... their CR would still be 'protected' and the fan could continue celebrating a product that makes them happy. But just because we disagree with thier action doesn't mean the law should be waived.
It is true that actions speak louder than words... but be prepared to face the consequences for breaking the law. Right or wrong, they are the laws.
I disagree with the idea that we should break laws just because we disagree with them. That mentality is selfish and uncivilized. But you're welcome to your opinion and choice of action.
Also, be careful with a post hoc argument... you cannot prove that the breaking of Prohibition lead to it's repeal. It very well could have been repealed even if everyone adhered to it. There's no proof either way, so it's a fallacious argument.
Yes, you can change laws... through the proper channels and courses of action. You can't just ignore it and say "well, it should be changed anyway". If that were the case, the speed limits near my house would be in the triple-digits by now. :\
"Now, it's almost certainly the case that this version does, in fact, violate the original copyrights (and potentially trademarks) of Square Enix, but should it really matter? The game is well over a decade old and not for sale anywhere anymore. The re-creation of the game appears to be a pretty cool learning experience for a developer and fans of the game. "
I'm sure you meant that Square Enix shouldn't care and should bask in the glory of a fan reviving something they enjoyed but is no longer available. And in that case, no it should not matter that the copyright and trademarks still apply, S.E. should happliy give them a free license so they can allow a fan to have fun with it while still "defending thier copyrights".
But since they decided to not be nice guys, yes it does matter that the CR and TM are still in place. Mike, I agree with a lot of what you have to say about how many, MANY entities out there are abusing (if not outright breaking) the CR, TM and Patent system to thier own ends and going way beyond the intent and letter of those laws. But on the other side, when those laws are being followed and not abused (for once), we have to abide by them too, even if we don't like it. As I've implied on many threads (and may have actually said... I dunno), there is no law against being jerks.
Did you read the full article the guy wrote? It wasn't "wah wah wah, they made me go thru security", it was more about how he was treated like a suspect and a terrorist because he felt it unnecessary to be prodded and poked just because he didn't want to go through the backscatter scanner. He was treated very rudely by a just about everyone involved and more than one official damn near detained him illegally. Anyone could have made this argument and refused all of these measures. The fact that he was a uniformed pilot in an airport just adds a bit of salt to the wound.
Normally, uniformed pilots are exempted from some of the normal security measures (such as removing shoes). The 'pilots' who flew into the towers that you bring up (to ring the 9/11 bell) were not uniformed, looked and acted like normal passengers, and were not carrying anything that was banned at the time. So if I, as a person trained to fly a plane, board one while wearing normal clothes, after going thru security carrying one of the many items that could be used as weapons (again, 13" metal knitting needles can be very useful), how has all this new security done anything? How does letting uniformed pilots bypass some of the measures increased the risk I would already represent?
On the post: One Dunkin Donuts Tries To Abolish The Penny... Until Customers Demand It Back
Re: Huh
As for percentages in a base 10, how do those fall apart in mental arithmatic? Percents should be VERY easy to calculate mentally. Or do you mean fractions into percentages? Yeah, those can get tricky, but keep in mind this: If you need precision calculations, you'll probably have to tools for that (since you're probably building something, etc); but if a general number is ok, mental rounding should work fine.
On the post: One Dunkin Donuts Tries To Abolish The Penny... Until Customers Demand It Back
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Friggin' rediculous indeed
So what's so difficult about converting F to C using the formula I posted? Boiling point of water (at sea-level, etc) is 100-c. so plug it in:
Tc = (5/9)*(Tf-32)
100 = (5/9)*(Tf-32)
100/(5/9) = Tf-32
100/.566666666666(rpt) = Tf-32
180 = Tf-32
Tf = 212-f
And just to let you know, liters (or litres if you prefer) ARE different than gallons. But if you have a container of gas, the amount of gas is the same no matter which scale you measure it with.
On the post: One Dunkin Donuts Tries To Abolish The Penny... Until Customers Demand It Back
Re: Re: Re: Rounding
Actually, there is quite a bit of theory out there on that. Do some searching around for "psychological pricing". Some of the hypothesized reasons are:
1)a perceived savings over competition by reducing the price by a few cents... thus minimizing the impact to actual profit;
2)giving the illusion that you're paying less than actual cost (if it's $4.97, it must have REALLY been priced at $5.00, so I'm saving money!);
3)round characters attract the eyes, so a price ending in .99 will be more visible. I don't really buy this one though, because a price ending in .00 has even BIGGER round bits.
4) (my fav) odd prices were implemented in early cash-register days to force employees to have to make change, thus having to open the cash register which creates a record of the sale. This would prevent the employee from just pocketing the bill with no evidence of a sale.
On the post: One Dunkin Donuts Tries To Abolish The Penny... Until Customers Demand It Back
Re: Pennies
On the post: Can Handing Out 'Txting Kills' Thumb Bands Stop People From Texting While Driving?
Re: text and drive...and technology
This isn't an issue that technology or a little thumb-bracelet is going to solve. It's going to stop when people realize that driving a car is operating a 1/2ton+ killing machine that requires full concentration. Do I get distracted while driving? Occasionally, yes. But I have the wherewithal to chastise myself and feel like an ass for letting my attention wander. Just like I how I feel that I'm the stupidest moron on the road when that yellow light doesn't last as long as I thought it would.
But you know what? I've never had an accident because I wasn't paying attention. Only once because I assumed someone had pulled off without verifying. And I never contested my own idiocy for that action.
On the post: One Dunkin Donuts Tries To Abolish The Penny... Until Customers Demand It Back
Re: Re: Re: Re: Friggin' rediculous indeed
The temperature scale DOES work becuase we're just applying an arbitrary scale to an existing amount of heat.
On the post: One Dunkin Donuts Tries To Abolish The Penny... Until Customers Demand It Back
Re: Pirce Change
On the post: Can Handing Out 'Txting Kills' Thumb Bands Stop People From Texting While Driving?
Why don't we
Rubber bracelets and car ribbons only support one thing... the manufacture of rubber bracelets and car ribbons. Still waiting to get my "I support car sticker manufacturing" ribbon for my car. Do they make "Rubber Bracelet" rubber bracelets?
On the post: Uh, No, Using An iPad On A Flight Won't Get You On The No-Fly List
Re: Re: Re: Solipsistic error: "I've seen absolutely nothing..."
Second: a quota of names to put on the no-fly list? Are you saying... oops, sorry... is your source saying that the TSA has a set number of names during a set period to add to the list? Are they directed to grow that list by a certain number of people over a certain time? Seems odd that the government would direct the TSA to gradually reduce air travel as a course of policy. Ok... again, citation? other than circulated emails? As opposed to yourself who has the inside scoop from someone who knows these things, right?
On the post: Oh Look, It Appears Music Video Games Were A Bit Of A Fad Too
Re:
On the post: Judge Refuses To Dismiss Criminal Charges For Violating Ticketmaster's Terms Of Service; Trial Moves Forward
Re: Hope they hang them high!
Why do we constantly turn to the government to police our convenience? Back in the day, you had to go to the ticket window to buy most tickets to most events. Along came technology and made things more convenient. Unfortunately, that also came with people looking to take advantage of that for money. I TRUELY wish we as a race have evolved past this petty greed by now, but alas we have not. I fully agree that the offending dirt bag (I think your word is too nice, by the way) should be cursed, mocked, and banned from ever buying from those vendors again. The last part of that is something the vendor is fully within its right to do. But why should it be made illegal?
If this is such a problem, them swallow your convenience and tell your local vendors to go back to a box-office system. So you won't be able to buy tickets online in advance... but they won't be as easily scalped, will they? Let's keep this in perspective here... these people are not robbing you of money... they're just taking advantage of your desire for convenience and your willingness to pay. Does it suck? Yes, absolutely. Should it be illegal? No.
On the post: Judge Refuses To Dismiss Criminal Charges For Violating Ticketmaster's Terms Of Service; Trial Moves Forward
Re:
On the post: Judge Refuses To Dismiss Criminal Charges For Violating Ticketmaster's Terms Of Service; Trial Moves Forward
Re: scalping
For example, I can purchase tickets to the local symphony directly from the symphony's website and they send me the tickets... nothing to do with TM. And only a small service & printing fee, I might add!
On the post: Judge Refuses To Dismiss Criminal Charges For Violating Ticketmaster's Terms Of Service; Trial Moves Forward
Re: Re: Why not a criminal act?
"Judge Dredd". No 'a', two 'd's.
We now return you to actually important info... sorry for the interruption.
On the post: Square Enix Sends C&D To Developer Creating OpenCarmageddon
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Well, yeah...
As for appeal to authority... sorry, doesn't apply to my argument. An appeal to authority has nothing to do with 'the authority to govern' or 'the authorities'. The 'authority' that this logical fallacy references is an 'expert in the field' or 'someone with authority on the subject'. Since I wasn't referencing someone I thought had the authority to back up my statements, to which authority was making an appeal? If you're going to pick a logical fallacy to throw at me, make sure it fits the argument.
On the post: Square Enix Sends C&D To Developer Creating OpenCarmageddon
Re: Re: Well, yeah...
Are you saying we should revolt and declare ourselves independent because we feel ANY of our laws are unjust and our interests are not being given fair representation?
Fine. I'll stand right next to you on that field so long as the laws in question are restraining people's right to freedom and the pursuit of happiness... something truly unjust. I think copyright laws are a little below the cut for that though. My point is that ignoring laws just because YOU feel they are wrong, as an individual, is presumptuous and egotistical. How is your interpretation of right and wrong any better than anyone else's?
If you want an unjust law changed or removed, take action towards that end... but just saying "nah, I disagree, I'm going to do this anyway", and then decrying the consequences, is wrong. That's not revolutionary; it's antisocial behavior, egocentric to think your opinion is the one that's right, and (in my opinion) stems from our societies modern over-inflated sense of entitlement... "I don't like this, so it should be changed to make me happy..."
You can argue all you want that that's what the speakeasy's did back in Prohibition, but you better remember to mention all the crime that came with it. The tight grip that organized crime held over some of the largest American cities and the many people who suffered and died because of that crime. Don't just gloss over to the happier parts of that story.
Now, look at the marijuana movement. There is strong political pressure being brought in quite a few areas (fairly peacefully, I might add) to change the laws that truly were misguided in the first place. But all the people out there who break the law by growing, trading in, or consuming marijuana are still subject to that law if caught. I won't look at someone who smokes pot and say "OMG!!! Scofflaw! Get 'em!!!". But I will say "you WERE breaking the law..." if they get arrested for it. It's your choice if you want to break that law you disagree with... but prepare to face the consequences. The consequences for pot is a variable array of fines and/or jail time... for speakeasies, it was rampant crime due to the criminalization of alcohol... for a bunch of colonists who felt taxation without representation was too unjust, it was a bloody, deadly war that cost 50,000 separatist casualties and $151 million in debt that took until the 1790's to pay off.
And to the point I FIRST made to Mike about "does it even matter if the CR & TM laws are in place on this software", yes it does matter. We can wax philosophic all we want about right and wrong of revolutionary behavior and effecting change... but my point was that you can't argue about one party abusing a law and then expect that the law be waived just because it would benefit 'your side'. As I said... instead of us thinking that the law be waived here, Square Enix could have (and in my opinion, should have) granted a free license to the individual... their CR would still be 'protected' and the fan could continue celebrating a product that makes them happy. But just because we disagree with thier action doesn't mean the law should be waived.
On the post: Square Enix Sends C&D To Developer Creating OpenCarmageddon
Re: Re: Re: Re: Well, yeah...
I disagree with the idea that we should break laws just because we disagree with them. That mentality is selfish and uncivilized. But you're welcome to your opinion and choice of action.
Also, be careful with a post hoc argument... you cannot prove that the breaking of Prohibition lead to it's repeal. It very well could have been repealed even if everyone adhered to it. There's no proof either way, so it's a fallacious argument.
On the post: Square Enix Sends C&D To Developer Creating OpenCarmageddon
Re: Re: Well, yeah...
On the post: Square Enix Sends C&D To Developer Creating OpenCarmageddon
Well, yeah...
But since they decided to not be nice guys, yes it does matter that the CR and TM are still in place. Mike, I agree with a lot of what you have to say about how many, MANY entities out there are abusing (if not outright breaking) the CR, TM and Patent system to thier own ends and going way beyond the intent and letter of those laws. But on the other side, when those laws are being followed and not abused (for once), we have to abide by them too, even if we don't like it. As I've implied on many threads (and may have actually said... I dunno), there is no law against being jerks.
On the post: Pilot Not Allowed Through Security After He Refuses 'Naked' Backscatter Scan
Re: The "Special" Pilot
Normally, uniformed pilots are exempted from some of the normal security measures (such as removing shoes). The 'pilots' who flew into the towers that you bring up (to ring the 9/11 bell) were not uniformed, looked and acted like normal passengers, and were not carrying anything that was banned at the time. So if I, as a person trained to fly a plane, board one while wearing normal clothes, after going thru security carrying one of the many items that could be used as weapons (again, 13" metal knitting needles can be very useful), how has all this new security done anything? How does letting uniformed pilots bypass some of the measures increased the risk I would already represent?
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