Re: OT: central limit theorem

In article <931q2jp1e2kaohfq8grais07gea1gdicqt@4ax.com>,
John Larkin  <xx@yy.com> wrote:

On Sat, 27 Apr 2024 12:15:54 +0200, albert@spenarnc.xs4all.nl wrote:
>

In article <662bffdf$0$8488$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>,
bitrex  <user@example.net> wrote:

On 4/26/2024 3:10 PM, Don Y wrote:

On 4/26/2024 11:46 AM, bitrex wrote:

I have one of these inexpensive Ikea bookshelves for storing some of my
electronics books:
>
<https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/laiva-bookcase-black-brown-40178591/>
>
I noticed the center shelf was starting to sag a few degrees. :( The
assembly manual specifies a weight limit of 33 lbs evenly distributed
which seemed like an oddly specific number. So I weighed the books on
the shelves, which aren't particularly well organized other than to
fully fill the available space widthwise on each shelf.
>
A random assortment of hardbacks and paperbacks, some are tall and
skinny, some are short and fat. And each shelf was clocking in at 33
lbs +/- 2 lbs.
>
So I guess a heuristic for filling these shelves is just fill 'em up
then remove the heaviest book, and de-rate the center shelf by maybe
5- 10 lbs because it's unsupported by a backing.

>
Smarter move is to buy all of your texts in electronic form, before you
end up with a shitload of dead trees!
>
When I moved here (~30 yrs), I had some 80 "Xerox Paper" cartons full
of paperbacks -- not counting "text books".  (I read ~500pp/wk)  Take
a moment to think of that volume (let alone MASS!).
>
I eventually scanned everything with a Perfect Binding and now fit those
same books on a single microSD card (in a Nook; PDFs on a 12" tablet).

>
PDFs are a dreadful format! Maybe there's a high-end e-ink that
processes them effectively but they look like shit on the cheaper ones
like most of the Kindles with e-ink displays.

>
PDF's are fearful. It is under control of one company, Adobe.
It is changed without notice. I regret the change away from PostScript
that at least was defined.
>
Groetjes Albert

>
I don't run any Adobe software. I run several programs that export
PDFs, and a viewer/virtual printer program handles the rest. Firefox
will view PDFs too.
>
PDFs look good and are a good way to deliver manuals and such.

I looked into it. It complies to an ISO standard, ISO 32000.
At least it is open. You can even have a copy for free.
You must log in, and your copy is watermarked,
Adobe has probably a great say in how this standard evolves,
but at least it is open.

So PDF is not as bad as I surmised. I concede your point,
looking good, easy to comprehend, is a priority for a manual.

Groetjes Albert
--
Don't praise the day before the evening. One swallow doesn't make spring.
You must not say "hey" before you have crossed the bridge. Don't sell the
hide of the bear until you shot it. Better one bird in the hand than ten in
the air. First gain is a cat purring.            - the Wise from Antrim -