working link: https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0205297
Readit Newsthrowaway1239Mx commented on Complex Systems: A Physicist's Viewpoint (G. Parisi) arxiv.org/abs/0205297... · Posted by u/Anon84
throwaway1239Mx commented on I like e-readers now devinlogan.org/e-readers.... · Posted by u/ivanech
I long preferred "real" books, despite having an e-reader for over ten years, but the e-reader has a killer feature: the backlight. Having a backlight means I can turn the light off on my nightstand, and read at night without keeping people up. (Yes, I know they make reading lights. No, I haven't tried one. They look like they're a pain.)
I also realized after looking over my (physical) bookshelves that I don't actually care about most of the books on there. This is after multiple rounds of clearing out the shelves and making trips to the secondhand bookstore, free library, etc., so it's not a matter of cruft. If I'm honest with myself, most books are "read once and discard," though there is a small collection that it feels distasteful not to keep copies of. Certain classics, or books with particular personal significance, for instance.
The cost of ebooks is an issue, as is the DRM. I haven't experimented with digital lending from libraries so I don't know if that's a solution to the cost problem, but it could be. DRM is... well, a perennial problem for digital media. And it does feel like something is missing in a world without secondhand stores and free libraries.
(Edit: It is in fact a frontlight, not a backlight. Duh.)
I've tried reading lights, but the backlight on my kindle is much better for preserving night vision. I think it may also make less of an impact on ease of falling asleep... just to add my $0.02!
throwaway1239Mx commented on What if I were 1% charged? (2013) gravityandlevity.wordpres... · Posted by u/lanna
> Now, 1% may not sound like a big deal. After all, there is almost no reason for excitement or concern when you lose 1% of your total mass.
I... Really? Y'all ok with just losing a randomly selected pound or two of flesh? I think that'd be pretty exciting, and not in a good way.
throwaway1239Mx commented on Finger counting gives away your nationality bbc.com/future/article/20... · Posted by u/midnightcity
> and easily reach 1023 without needing a third hand
Given that most people cannot move their ring finger independently of their middle finger, this seems like a stretch.
Came here to comment on binary finger counting; found it'd already been said!
I have trouble with some positions due to the ring/pinkie connection, but for me it's more of an internal count anyway, so something like counting a 'down' finger as '1' instead of '0' makes it a lot more comfortable, or even '1' is finger touching a surface, '0' is not - which can involve moving a digit only a few mm or so.
The 1023 thing does require fine motor control of at least ten appendages, though even legs-arms-tongue gets you to 32, if a bit inconveniently.
throwaway1239Mx commented on Ask HN: Have you found a good desk chair? · Posted by u/DamnInteresting
I have finally settled with a standing desk and an Ikea Ingolf bar stool - basic flat wood seat, no padding. As a 6'4" person, many chairs are awful, create pain, etc., but I love this setup.
The idea that having a slightly less comfortable chair would lead to more movement has proven true. It's also relaxing enough to sit in when I'm tired of standing up, but not super comfortable to slouch in, so it encourages better sitting posture.
Since this project doesn't seem to have been discussed on HN before, I've switched the URL from https://github.com/angband/angband/releases/tag/4.2.2 to the main project page.
I realize this is a bit late, but Rephial is no longer updating - http://angband.oook.cz/forum/showpost.php?p=152370&postcount...
Most activity is on the forum at oook.cz or the github releases page, though Rephial was once the official source. A new landing page is probably in the works...
throwaway1239Mx commented on Who did the Anglo-Saxons think they were? archaeology.co.uk/article... · Posted by u/diodorus
The book series it is based on (Saxon Chronicles) does an even better job. It is fiction but Bernard Cornwell does his research. He has his characters talking about Englaland sooner than OP would suggest though; in the novels this was a term Alfred was using as he neared the end of his reign. The novels are told from the perspective of a colorful fictional character but are really the story of Alfred, his defense of Wessex and the making of England by he and his children.
I've always enjoyed reading BC's endnotes about the research he did for each book almost as much as the actual story. :D
throwaway1239Mx commented on Who did the Anglo-Saxons think they were? archaeology.co.uk/article... · Posted by u/diodorus
The Netflix series The Last Kingdom seems to portray what you describe pretty well.
The book series by Bernard Cornwell is also excellent, if you enjoy that sort of thing. The books have a fairly well defined structure (one may even consider them formulaic), but he appears to have done a lot of detailed research into day-to-day life of that time, and happily shares it with the reader. Not quite Neal Stephenson level of digression, but not far off. I haven't read his Sharpe novels, but the Archer's Tale books and his version of King Arthur are similarly enjoyable.
omg thank you, voice of reason.
No disrespect intended to parent posters (i appreciate them sharing their anecdotal experience), but def sobering to see that at the top, and realize "oh, this is the common view of hivemind i'm participating in"
I have this vague hope that maybe the 'top comment' position is also based on number of replies, not necessarily upvotes, but then... the discussion itself is pretty sobering. The current program cost relative pennies, proved to be effective at both helping people and freeing up police workers to focus on crime/traffic-related issues. More effective use of city tax $$$$ through targeted spending of $. Seems like a win win win. Anyway, I agree with this particular branch of the discussion-tree.