Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2003 22:31:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: My fanac
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

"Michael Walsh" <MJW at mail.press.jhu.edu> wrote:

> The book is =A1Limekiller! by Avram Davidson.

"Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net> wrote:

> Note that the equal sign and A1 is intended to look like an upside
> down exclamation point.  Is there anyone anywhere who sees it as such?
> Or are the authors of Michael's email program confused?  Thanks.

"Ted White" <twhite8 at cox.net> wrote:

> I'm glad you pointed that out; I thought it an odd title.  The
> upside down exclamation point can easily be achieved: ¡ -- just hold
> down the "Alt" key and type in 0161.  When you release the "Alt" key
> the symbol appears.

That depends on what software and hardware you're using.  It certainly
doesn't have that effect on my terminal.  I can type it in other ways.
But then so can Michael Walsh.  I'm sure he typed it correctly.  It
was his mailer program "GroupWise" which mangled it.  And I'll bet
that not one subscriber saw it as as "¡" rather than as "=A1".

This misfeature has caused multi-million dollar losses, for instance
when £5,000,000 was turned into £5,000,000, which was then taken to
mean 35 million pounds sterling rather than 5 million.

I find it prudent to avoid any software with the words "wise,"
"smart," or "brilliant" in its name.  I'll do the thinking, and let my
computer do the dumb information processing.  Maybe someday someone
will invent true AI, but the feeble efforts of today ought to be
taken out and shot.  Especially the ones that try to engage you in a
constructive dialog when you attempt to phone a human being at some
company.
--
Keith F. Lynch - kfl at keithlynch.net - http://keithlynch.net/
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