A4 paper format / International standard paper sizes by Markus Kuhn.
I just checked a PDF to see if I'd be able to print it and needed to find which paper size is 216 mm wide by 279 mm tall. A quick Google returned the page linked above. It includes an explanation of the ISO paper size standard, points out the regularity of the ISO sizes, their relation to other ISO units and the utility of such regularities.
It also explains just how brain-damaged the North American formats really are. I hadn't realised that North Americans can't enlarge documents properly as their paper sizes have several height to width ratios. I also didn't realise just how wide spread the ISO paper sizes are. According to Kuhn, the United States of America, Canada and Mexico are the only industrialised nations which don't use the ISO sizes widely.
I just wish that all the papers, books and theses that they produce came as A4 formatted PDFs.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The Trees Deserve It
I ordered another book today: Purely Functional Data Structures by Chris Okasaki.
I downloaded a PDF of his PhD thesis (PDF, 616K) and had a brief flick through. It looks as though some of the structures will be just what I need. One of the main differences (that I am aware of) between the thesis and the book is that the book includes the source code in both ML and Haskell, whereas the thesis only uses ML. The book will, therefore, be of a lot more use to me than the thesis and at less than $AU70, it'll hardly break the bank.
I downloaded a PDF of his PhD thesis (PDF, 616K) and had a brief flick through. It looks as though some of the structures will be just what I need. One of the main differences (that I am aware of) between the thesis and the book is that the book includes the source code in both ML and Haskell, whereas the thesis only uses ML. The book will, therefore, be of a lot more use to me than the thesis and at less than $AU70, it'll hardly break the bank.
Deriving Backtracking Monad Transformers
I started reading Deriving Backtracking Monad Transformers, by Ralf Hinze, this afternoon (or, rather, yesterday afternoon). It's already been valuable, though that was more of a side effect.
I've haven't read too much of it yet, but I've been able to understand what I have read, which means either
Next on the list is Backtracking, Interleaving, and Terminating Monad Transformers by Oleg Kiselyov, Chung-chieh Shan, Daniel P. Friedman and Amr Sabry.
I've haven't read too much of it yet, but I've been able to understand what I have read, which means either
- I'm learning; or
- Hinze is a good writer; or
- deriving backtracking monad transformers is simple.
Next on the list is Backtracking, Interleaving, and Terminating Monad Transformers by Oleg Kiselyov, Chung-chieh Shan, Daniel P. Friedman and Amr Sabry.
The Matrix is in the Eye of the Beholder
The NotYASS session on the Matrix was interesting. A lot of people (or, rather, more than usual) showed up, including a lot of philosophers (from RSSS and the Department of Philosophy I suppose). There wasn't much more than the various points, arguments and objections raised in the various papers at www.simulation-argument.com, but the discussion was interesting.
I'll be missing the next session (I think it's been cancelled anyway due to a conference or some such), but there are a few more philosophical topics scheduled for the next few session after that. They should be interesting if nothing else.
I'll be missing the next session (I think it's been cancelled anyway due to a conference or some such), but there are a few more philosophical topics scheduled for the next few session after that. They should be interesting if nothing else.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
There is no spoon
Today's NotYASS session is entitled The Matrix as metaphysics. According to the blurb, we'll be discussing the various bits and pieces of work about the matrix as reality, the likelihood of this being the matrix, how one ought to live given that this is probably a simulation, etc.
Some of the papers on this topic (many can be found at www.simulation-argument.com) are quite interesting and many of them specific to The Matrix require surprisingly little prior knowledge.
Sounds like it'll be fun.
Some of the papers on this topic (many can be found at www.simulation-argument.com) are quite interesting and many of them specific to The Matrix require surprisingly little prior knowledge.
Sounds like it'll be fun.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Death, Jr.
Death, Jr.
I've just read issue two of Death, Jr. and it is even better than the first. Ted Naihef's art is brilliant; the contrast between Death (Jr.'s dad) and the rest of their suburban existence if wonderful.
Run out and grab a copy now, you [probably] won't be disappointed.
[Edit: Issue #2 got a fairly bad review at Comics Should Be Good. I agree with everything said there, but I still liked it.]
I've just read issue two of Death, Jr. and it is even better than the first. Ted Naihef's art is brilliant; the contrast between Death (Jr.'s dad) and the rest of their suburban existence if wonderful.
Run out and grab a copy now, you [probably] won't be disappointed.
[Edit: Issue #2 got a fairly bad review at Comics Should Be Good. I agree with everything said there, but I still liked it.]
Monday, June 20, 2005
Word of the Day
Today's Word of the Day is: unbosom.
Some words derived from archaic or specialised usage, like disrobe perhaps, have evolved to have a more general meaning. Unbosom, though sounds contrived, a little bit naughty and, to me at least, gives not the slightest hint of its meaning: to confide (one's thoughts or secrets).
Some words derived from archaic or specialised usage, like disrobe perhaps, have evolved to have a more general meaning. Unbosom, though sounds contrived, a little bit naughty and, to me at least, gives not the slightest hint of its meaning: to confide (one's thoughts or secrets).
Finding the Muse
Finding the Muse
Recently I've been on a Harry Potter fan fiction trip. Specifically, I've been revisiting my fascination with Pumpkin Pie, or the Harry and Hermione "ship". While it has been wonderful rereading some of my favourite stories, I've also discovered some brilliant new stories.
Finding the Muse is, while not strictly speaking Pumpkin Pie, one such gem. While lots of Harry/Hermione stories have plots reminiscent of Days of our Lives, Eastenders or Home and Away, this is a truly wonderful story that explores an aspect of Harry Potter's world that I, for one, had never even considered but not seems glaringly obvious: the lack of music.
I'm sure that echoes of Finding the Muse will be appearing in my thoughts and writing on Harry Potter for a long while.
Recently I've been on a Harry Potter fan fiction trip. Specifically, I've been revisiting my fascination with Pumpkin Pie, or the Harry and Hermione "ship". While it has been wonderful rereading some of my favourite stories, I've also discovered some brilliant new stories.
Finding the Muse is, while not strictly speaking Pumpkin Pie, one such gem. While lots of Harry/Hermione stories have plots reminiscent of Days of our Lives, Eastenders or Home and Away, this is a truly wonderful story that explores an aspect of Harry Potter's world that I, for one, had never even considered but not seems glaringly obvious: the lack of music.
I'm sure that echoes of Finding the Muse will be appearing in my thoughts and writing on Harry Potter for a long while.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Friday, June 10, 2005
Parsing stuff in Haskell
I've just started looking parsing in Haskell with Parsec. After a few hours of reading and poking at examples, I've got a prototype working
Thursday, June 09, 2005
"That's Dr. Rex to you, buddy"
That's Dr. Rex to you, buddy
One person present during the defense described it as if I were “chasing five motherf***ers down the street with a baseball bat in my underwear.”
Sounds... spirited.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Neil Gaiman - Stardust
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
After fighting a losing battle against procrastination this morning, I went into town and came back with a few more books to add to my collection (Dymocks are having a sale). Amongst them, was Stardust by Neil Gaiman. After the slight disappointment of The Gene of Isis (which I plan to finish next week), I've been pleased to note that Stardust is a quite pleasant read. The first few dozen pages dragged me in whilst I was eating dinner and, hence I have been unable to give the notes for Software Quality Management (the exam I have tomorrow) one last read over.
The characters, what I've seen of them so far, are nice but the most enjoyable aspect of the book (at this point in time) is the language. The Gaiman's prose simply flows off the page. This really, really needs to be an audio book, read by someone like Stephen Fry.
Do yourself a favour and read Stardust.
After fighting a losing battle against procrastination this morning, I went into town and came back with a few more books to add to my collection (Dymocks are having a sale). Amongst them, was Stardust by Neil Gaiman. After the slight disappointment of The Gene of Isis (which I plan to finish next week), I've been pleased to note that Stardust is a quite pleasant read. The first few dozen pages dragged me in whilst I was eating dinner and, hence I have been unable to give the notes for Software Quality Management (the exam I have tomorrow) one last read over.
The characters, what I've seen of them so far, are nice but the most enjoyable aspect of the book (at this point in time) is the language. The Gaiman's prose simply flows off the page. This really, really needs to be an audio book, read by someone like Stephen Fry.
Do yourself a favour and read Stardust.
More on The Gene of Isis
Yesterday, I began reading The Gene of Isis by Traci Harding.
I've just finished reading part one of The Gene of Isis and, I must say, I am slightly disappointed. I began the book hoping that Harding would manage to avoid some of the more cloying "New Age" themes in her earlier works, but soon enough the mischievous elemental spirits emerged (if only in mention) accompanied with the various psychic and auric phenomena of the Indic tradition (if I recall my New Age hype correctly) so popular amongst the New Age community.
Part one is set in 19th century England. The main character Ashlee Granville is a young woman with psychic abilities having to deal with "coming out" into high society and the attendant problems, such as marrying, that confront her. While the characters mannerisms and dialogue have a tinge of the formality characteristic of the era, I still get the impression of a certain modernity, especially with respect to Ashlee. Perhaps a more formal turn of phrase, circumlocutious though it might be, would lend the story an air more appropriate to a story set in such times.
Disappointing though these points are (especially Harding's approach to the mystical, which is difficult to credit as anything other than a kowtow toward the popular New Age movement), the tale is well-told; the premise, intriguing; and the characters, especially Ashlee, engaging.
If you can bring yourself to brave the New Age elements of the story (or perhaps have enjoyed Harding's other stories, especially The Alchemist's Key and The Ancient Future Trilogy) then I would heartily recommend reading The Gene of Isis. If, on the other hand, the more popularist New Age approach to the supernatural makes you cringe, perhaps you'd better pass this one over and save yourself $AU29.95.
I've just finished reading part one of The Gene of Isis and, I must say, I am slightly disappointed. I began the book hoping that Harding would manage to avoid some of the more cloying "New Age" themes in her earlier works, but soon enough the mischievous elemental spirits emerged (if only in mention) accompanied with the various psychic and auric phenomena of the Indic tradition (if I recall my New Age hype correctly) so popular amongst the New Age community.
Part one is set in 19th century England. The main character Ashlee Granville is a young woman with psychic abilities having to deal with "coming out" into high society and the attendant problems, such as marrying, that confront her. While the characters mannerisms and dialogue have a tinge of the formality characteristic of the era, I still get the impression of a certain modernity, especially with respect to Ashlee. Perhaps a more formal turn of phrase, circumlocutious though it might be, would lend the story an air more appropriate to a story set in such times.
Disappointing though these points are (especially Harding's approach to the mystical, which is difficult to credit as anything other than a kowtow toward the popular New Age movement), the tale is well-told; the premise, intriguing; and the characters, especially Ashlee, engaging.
If you can bring yourself to brave the New Age elements of the story (or perhaps have enjoyed Harding's other stories, especially The Alchemist's Key and The Ancient Future Trilogy) then I would heartily recommend reading The Gene of Isis. If, on the other hand, the more popularist New Age approach to the supernatural makes you cringe, perhaps you'd better pass this one over and save yourself $AU29.95.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Fantasy Books
The Gene of Isis by Traci Harding, published by Voyager
I've just started reading Traci Harding's latest book: The Gene of Isis and it looks like it'll be another great read. While I loved The Ancient Future Trilogy and The Alchemist's Key, her other books The Celestial Triad left me feeling somewhat disenchanted (what with the miasma of "New Age" that permeates those books), so much so that I didn't bother reading Ghostwriting or Book of Dreams.
Happily her latest work, if the rest of the book is at all like the first few pages, seems to have taken a less grating approach to the supernatural. The prologue, an entry from the journal of a character, has about it a charm reminiscent, to my mind at least, of the era in which it is set. The odd turn of phrase seems a little too modern, but the overall effect is most pleasing.
If you like fantasy, and are not averse to a bit of incarnation-hopping, then I'd thoroughly recommend giving Traci Harding a read.
On a related note, Voyager are celebrating their 10th birthday. Part of this (see the link) is a book containing a "sneak peek" of some of this years new books. I'm looking forward to a number of them, especially Trudi Canavan's new book: Priestess of the White, due for release in November.
Another book on my list of eagerly awaited new titles is Katherine Kerr's new book: The Gold Falcon (presumably to be published by HarperCollins here in Australia). There are two excerpts available on her web site.
I've just started reading Traci Harding's latest book: The Gene of Isis and it looks like it'll be another great read. While I loved The Ancient Future Trilogy and The Alchemist's Key, her other books The Celestial Triad left me feeling somewhat disenchanted (what with the miasma of "New Age" that permeates those books), so much so that I didn't bother reading Ghostwriting or Book of Dreams.
Happily her latest work, if the rest of the book is at all like the first few pages, seems to have taken a less grating approach to the supernatural. The prologue, an entry from the journal of a character, has about it a charm reminiscent, to my mind at least, of the era in which it is set. The odd turn of phrase seems a little too modern, but the overall effect is most pleasing.
If you like fantasy, and are not averse to a bit of incarnation-hopping, then I'd thoroughly recommend giving Traci Harding a read.
On a related note, Voyager are celebrating their 10th birthday. Part of this (see the link) is a book containing a "sneak peek" of some of this years new books. I'm looking forward to a number of them, especially Trudi Canavan's new book: Priestess of the White, due for release in November.
Another book on my list of eagerly awaited new titles is Katherine Kerr's new book: The Gold Falcon (presumably to be published by HarperCollins here in Australia). There are two excerpts available on her web site.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)