Discussion:
ICG2020
(too old to reply)
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 10:30:27 UTC
Permalink
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is that in the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.

It turns out that there are quite a few congresses that call themselves
ICG2020. The first hit is the

13rd International Conference on Goats 2020 in Eger, Hungary

Then there are

ICG Annual Meeting 2020 in Kraków (which also neglects to mention what
it's about)

Annual Crystal Growth Conference in Torino

4th International Congress of Genetics (ICG-2020) in Dalian, China,
which is probably the one they mean)

But if I don't fancy Eger but do want to go to Hungary next year there
are the International Children's Games in Kecskemét.

International Conference on Geological barrier systems in Hannover at
the BGR (whatever that is -- they don't say)

International Conference on Gerontechnology: they don't say where that
is, but the .hk URL suggests Hong Kong.

International Cluster Games in Singapore

International Conference on Glass in Prague

International Conference on Geomembranes in Osaka

You may think I've cheated by putting the most plausible one in fourth
place, but no: I've listed them in the order that comes up in a search.

Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
--
athel
Peter Moylan
2019-11-30 11:40:18 UTC
Permalink
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden, do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is thatin the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.
It turns out that there are quite a few congresses that call
themselves ICG2020. The first hit is the
13rd International Conference on Goats 2020 in Eger, Hungary
Then there are
ICG Annual Meeting 2020 in Kraków (which also neglects to mention
what it's about)
Annual Crystal Growth Conference in Torino
4th International Congress of Genetics (ICG-2020) in Dalian, China,
which is probably the one they mean)
But if I don't fancy Eger but do want to go to Hungary next year
there are the International Children's Games in Kecskemét.
International Conference on Geological barrier systems in Hannover at
the BGR (whatever that is -- they don't say)
International Conference on Gerontechnology: they don't say where
that is, but the .hk URL suggests Hong Kong.
International Cluster Games in Singapore
International Conference on Glass in Prague
International Conference on Geomembranes in Osaka
You may think I've cheated by putting the most plausible one in
fourth place, but no: I've listed them in the order that comes up in
a search.
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is one of
the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are peppered with
initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have better things to do
with my finite brain capacity than to remember the difference between
CNRS and SNCF.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 11:55:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
[ … ]
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is one of
the worst offenders.
You're absolutely right. The only European country that is worse is Portugal.
Post by Peter Moylan
French newspapers, especially, are peppered with
initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have better things to do
with my finite brain capacity than to remember the difference between
CNRS and SNCF.
--
athel
Peter T. Daniels
2019-11-30 15:22:37 UTC
Permalink
[note the extensive snippage]
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is one of
the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are peppered with
initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have better things to do
with my finite brain capacity than to remember the difference between
CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by nothing
but the date?
J. J. Lodder
2019-11-30 20:22:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter T. Daniels
[note the extensive snippage]
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is one of
the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are peppered with
initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have better things to do
with my finite brain capacity than to remember the difference between
CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by nothing
but the date?
Like 1066?
(and all that)

Jan

PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose
not to have any history for the next hundred+ years
is Not Memorable.
Peter T. Daniels
2019-11-30 20:33:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by J. J. Lodder
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is one of
the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are peppered with
initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have better things to do
with my finite brain capacity than to remember the difference between
CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by nothing
but the date?
Like 1066?
(and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of 1846"
that altered the destiny of the country.
Post by J. J. Lodder
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose
not to have any history for the next hundred+ years
is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
charles
2019-11-30 20:58:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is
one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are
peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have
better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to remember
the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of 1846"
that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place on
my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle
Peter T. Daniels
2019-11-30 21:34:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is
one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are
peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have
better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to remember
the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of 1846"
that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place on
my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
Peter Moylan
2019-12-01 03:55:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is
one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are
peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have
better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to remember
the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like the fourth of July? No, wait, that was the 14th.
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of 1846"
that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place on
my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
America doesn't appear until the "All That" section.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
charles
2019-12-01 08:55:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France
is one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially,
are peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I
have better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to
remember the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of
1846" that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place
on my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle
Peter Young
2019-12-01 10:12:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France
is one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially,
are peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I
have better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to
remember the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of
1846" that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place
on my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
When America was clearly First Nation, and history came to a.

(from memory).

Peter.
--
Peter Young, (BrE, RP), Consultant Anaesthetist, 1975-2004.
(US equivalent: Certified Anesthesiologist) (AUE Hg)
Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK. Now happily retired.
http://pnyoung.orpheusweb.co.uk
Katy Jennison
2019-12-01 12:02:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Young
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France
is one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially,
are peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I
have better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to
remember the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of
1846" that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place
on my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
When America was clearly First Nation, and history came to a.
(from memory).
Became Top Nation, I think (also from memory).
--
Katy Jennison
J. J. Lodder
2019-12-01 13:23:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Katy Jennison
Post by Peter Young
When America was clearly First Nation, and history came to a.
(from memory).
Became Top Nation, I think (also from memory).
Of course, this is about England. [1]
First Nation won't do,
it can be nothing less that Top Nation,

Jan

[1] No point in pretending that it is Britain, really.
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-01 14:01:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Katy Jennison
Post by Peter Young
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France
is one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially,
are peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I
have better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to
remember the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of
1846" that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place
on my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
When America was clearly First Nation, and history came to a.
(from memory).
Became Top Nation, I think (also from memory).
That was my impression too, but I wasn't about to correct Peter.
--
athel
Peter Young
2019-12-01 13:55:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by Katy Jennison
Post by Peter Young
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France
is one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially,
are peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I
have better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to
remember the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of
1846" that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place
on my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
When America was clearly First Nation, and history came to a.
(from memory).
Became Top Nation, I think (also from memory).
You memory is better than mine.

Peter.
--
Peter Young, (BrE, RP), Consultant Anaesthetist, 1975-2004.
(US equivalent: Certified Anesthesiologist) (AUE Hg)
Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK. Now happily retired.
http://pnyoung.orpheusweb.co.uk
J. J. Lodder
2019-12-01 12:05:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Young
Post by charles
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
!918, with 'The peace to end peace.
Prophetic, if you consider that they wrote it well before 1930.
(don't know the exact date, it was originally a serial in Punch)
Post by Peter Young
When America was clearly First Nation, and history came to a.
(from memory).
Almost. There should be a space between a and .
(and of course top nation)

But you forgot the last Chapter Title, which is of course:

A Bad Thing

Jan
Ken Blake
2019-12-01 18:57:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Young
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France
is one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially,
are peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I
have better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to
remember the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of
1846" that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place
on my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
When America was clearly First Nation, and history came to a.
I've read the book several times. The first time was many decades ago. I
still remember being severely puzzled by that last phrase "and history
came to a ." I thought there was some printing error and the last word,
whatever it was, had been inadvertently omitted.

Today of course, I understand that what I call a "period" is a "full
stop" in the UK.
--
Ken
Peter T. Daniels
2019-12-01 15:26:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by charles
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France
is one of the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially,
are peppered with initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I
have better things to do with my finite brain capacity than to
remember the difference between CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by
nothing but the date?
Like 1066? (and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of
1846" that altered the destiny of the country.
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose not to have any
history for the next hundred+ years is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
1066 and All That. My copy seems to have vanished from its proper place
on my bookshelf so I can't quote which chapter.
'Fraid not. There was no such thing as "the Americans" in 1066.
you obviously don't know the book - it goes on well past 1066. I think up
to 1914.
Still wondering what "the year in which the Americans chose not to have
any history for the next hundred+ years" refers to.
J. J. Lodder
2019-12-01 08:54:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by J. J. Lodder
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is one of
the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are peppered with
initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have better things to do
with my finite brain capacity than to remember the difference between
CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by nothing
but the date?
Like 1066?
(and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of 1846"
that altered the destiny of the country.
Nomnsense. A destiny can't be altered. It is.
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by J. J. Lodder
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose
not to have any history for the next hundred+ years
is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.

No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,

Jan
RH Draney
2019-12-01 10:11:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
Ken Blake
2019-12-01 18:50:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of either
movie.
--
Ken
Mack A. Damia
2019-12-01 18:57:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of either
movie.
I wonder how many people thought "Butterfield 8" was a candy bar.
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-01 19:08:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of either movie.
Likewise
--
athel
b***@shaw.ca
2019-12-02 00:51:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of either
movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international casting
monstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries. Wikipedia
lists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.

bill
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-02 06:14:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Post by b***@shaw.ca
--
athel
J. J. Lodder
2019-12-02 09:56:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
They are famous because they are famous.
Having heard of them has little to do with it,

Jan
Ken Blake
2019-12-02 17:51:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
--
Ken
Richard Heathfield
2019-12-02 17:57:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli,
Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.

(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
--
Richard Heathfield
Email: rjh at cpax dot org dot uk
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29 July 1999
Sig line 4 vacant - apply within
b***@shaw.ca
2019-12-02 19:13:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli,
Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
I was reviewing movies for a local publication in the early 1970s
when Depardieu was making his name as an upcoming French actor.
He was a slim, handsome leading man at the time but eventually
grew into a monstrous Pantagruel sort of character. Having seen his
early work, I knew who he was in later years when I noticed
his name.

He remains a prolific actor, with at least 240 film and TV credits,
including half a dozen scheduled for release in 2020.

I was aware of seven or eight of the actors in the cast of 1900.
I took Wikipedia's word that the rest were also famous.

bill
Ken Blake
2019-12-02 19:34:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli,
Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
I was reviewing movies for a local publication in the early 1970s
when Depardieu was making his name as an upcoming French actor.
He was a slim, handsome leading man at the time but eventually
grew into a monstrous Pantagruel sort of character. Having seen his
early work, I knew who he was in later years when I noticed
his name.
He remains a prolific actor, with at least 240 film and TV credits,
including half a dozen scheduled for release in 2020.
I was aware of seven or eight of the actors in the cast of 1900.
I took Wikipedia's word that the rest were also famous.
Fame is like beauty. It's in the eye of the beholder.
--
Ken
Peter Young
2019-12-02 19:40:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli,
Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
I was reviewing movies for a local publication in the early 1970s
when Depardieu was making his name as an upcoming French actor.
He was a slim, handsome leading man at the time but eventually
grew into a monstrous Pantagruel sort of character. Having seen his
early work, I knew who he was in later years when I noticed
his name.
He remains a prolific actor, with at least 240 film and TV credits,
including half a dozen scheduled for release in 2020.
I was aware of seven or eight of the actors in the cast of 1900.
I took Wikipedia's word that the rest were also famous.
Fame is like beauty. It's in the eye of the beholder.
According to my son-in-law, beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder.

Peter.
--
Peter Young, (BrE, RP), Consultant Anaesthetist, 1975-2004.
(US equivalent: Certified Anesthesiologist) (AUE Hg)
Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK. Now happily retired.
http://pnyoung.orpheusweb.co.uk
Anders D. Nygaard
2019-12-03 17:13:17 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Fame is like beauty. It's in the eye of the beholder.
Not always. If you see a newspaper headline about a famous actor,
it is sure to be someone you have never heard of.
If you see a headline about a beautiful actor, *then* it is
in the eye of the beholder.

/Anders, Denmark
Spains Harden
2019-12-03 17:26:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Anders D. Nygaard
Post by Ken Blake
Fame is like beauty. It's in the eye of the beholder.
Not always. If you see a newspaper headline about a famous actor,
it is sure to be someone you have never heard of.
If you see a headline about a beautiful actor, *then* it is
in the eye of the beholder.
We don't say "beautiful actor" do we - even in these PC times?
"Beautiful actress" or "handsome actor" surely. If not why not.
Mark Brader
2019-12-02 20:38:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@shaw.ca
I was aware of seven or eight of the actors in the cast of 1900.
I took Wikipedia's word that the rest were also famous.
You knew less than 1% of them but were still willing to draw a
conclusion on that basis?

Well, I guess that is what so many reporters do...


:-)
--
Mark Brader ...the scariest words of the afternoon:
Toronto "Hey, don't worry, I've read all about
***@vex.net doing this sort of thing!" -- Vernor Vinge
b***@shaw.ca
2019-12-03 00:19:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mark Brader
Post by b***@shaw.ca
I was aware of seven or eight of the actors in the cast of 1900.
I took Wikipedia's word that the rest were also famous.
You knew less than 1% of them but were still willing to draw a
conclusion on that basis?
Well, I guess that is what so many reporters do...
I don't think there is a gracious way to take that. It's a cheap shot.

bill
s***@gmail.com
2019-12-03 01:47:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Mark Brader
Post by b***@shaw.ca
I was aware of seven or eight of the actors in the cast of 1900.
I took Wikipedia's word that the rest were also famous.
You knew less than 1% of them but were still willing to draw a
conclusion on that basis?
Well, I guess that is what so many reporters do...
I don't think there is a gracious way to take that. It's a cheap shot.
He was just being excessively punctual.

/dps
Mark Brader
2019-12-03 19:49:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Mark Brader
You knew less than 1% of them but were still willing to draw a
conclusion on that basis?
Well, I guess that is what so many reporters do...
I don't think there is a gracious way to take that. It's a cheap shot.
You underquoted, omitting the ":-)".
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | "It's a massive 'Get out of Euclid free' card."
***@vex.net | --Matt Parker
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-02 19:21:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida
Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli. Those names mean nothing to
me. Suspiciously many Italian names for "a bunch of countries".
--
athel
Ken Blake
2019-12-02 19:33:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida
Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli. Those names mean nothing to
me. Suspiciously many Italian names for "a bunch of countries".
Except for Sterling Hayden, my list is the same as yours. He played
General Jack D. Ripper in one of my favorite films, "Dr. Strangelove or:
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."
--
Ken
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-02 19:38:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida
Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli. Those names mean nothing to
me. Suspiciously many Italian names for "a bunch of countries".
Except for Sterling Hayden, my list is the same as yours. He played
General Jack D. Ripper in one of my favorite films, "Dr. Strangelove
or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."
I remember the character, but I had no idea of the actor's name.
--
athel
Peter T. Daniels
2019-12-02 20:38:51 UTC
Permalink
[cast of the long and boring Bertolucci movie *1900*]
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida
Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli. Those names mean nothing to
me. Suspiciously many Italian names for "a bunch of countries".
Except for Sterling Hayden, my list is the same as yours. He played
General Jack D. Ripper in one of my favorite films, "Dr. Strangelove
or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."
I remember the character, but I had no idea of the actor's name.
Very frequent character actor.
Tony Cooper
2019-12-02 21:40:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida
Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli. Those names mean nothing to
me. Suspiciously many Italian names for "a bunch of countries".
Except for Sterling Hayden, my list is the same as yours. He played
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."
Read just after I posted on that.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
Ken Blake
2019-12-02 22:14:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Cooper
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida
Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli. Those names mean nothing to
me. Suspiciously many Italian names for "a bunch of countries".
Except for Sterling Hayden, my list is the same as yours. He played
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."
Read just after I posted on that.
No problem. I've done the same thing many times.
--
Ken
Tony Cooper
2019-12-02 21:39:31 UTC
Permalink
On Mon, 2 Dec 2019 20:21:37 +0100, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden,
That one should be familiar to most Americans who are nearing or past
retirement age. Also some Brits. He was nominated for a BAFTA award
in 1965 for his role in "Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop
Worrying and Love the Bomb".
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
Mack A. Damia
2019-12-02 22:05:45 UTC
Permalink
On Mon, 02 Dec 2019 16:39:31 -0500, Tony Cooper
Post by Tony Cooper
On Mon, 2 Dec 2019 20:21:37 +0100, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de Nerval.)
The ones I hadn't heard of are Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini,
Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden,
That one should be familiar to most Americans who are nearing or past
retirement age. Also some Brits. He was nominated for a BAFTA award
in 1965 for his role in "Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop
Worrying and Love the Bomb".
He was also in "The Godfather" (1972) as Capt. McCluskey.
Peter Moylan
2019-12-03 02:19:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those
international castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a
bunch of countries. Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard
Depardieu, Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti,
Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli,
Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald Sutherland, and Burt
Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de
Nerval.)
I've never heard of ten of the people on that list. Even for actors I've
heard of, I generally can't recognise them, because I don't retain such
details.

Depardieu is an exception for me. Not only does he have the sort of
appearance that is instantly recognisable, he has also appeared in some
excellent films.

(Don't ask me to name the films, because I don't memorise that sort of
thing either. I just know that I've seen him on-screen many times.)
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Quinn C
2019-12-03 18:09:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those
international castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a
bunch of countries. Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard
Depardieu, Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti,
Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli,
Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald Sutherland, and Burt
Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
Nine and a half for me. I'd heard of Gérard Depardieu, but I have to
confess that I thought he was a 19th century French poet.
(Further research indicates that I was thinking of Gérard de
Nerval.)
I've never heard of ten of the people on that list. Even for actors I've
heard of, I generally can't recognise them, because I don't retain such
details.
Depardieu is an exception for me. Not only does he have the sort of
appearance that is instantly recognisable, he has also appeared in some
excellent films.
(Don't ask me to name the films, because I don't memorise that sort of
thing either. I just know that I've seen him on-screen many times.)
If you know the character, it's easy to remember that Depardieu played
Obelix. But don't ask me about the excellent films, either; I'm much
like Peter.
--
Quinn C
My pronouns are they/them
(or other gender-neutral ones)
Mack A. Damia
2019-12-02 18:49:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
A beautiful actress, Alida Valli had the iconic walk past Joseph
Cotten at the conclusion of "The Third Man". She was a "baroness" by
virtue of her father.
Ken Blake
2019-12-02 19:29:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mack A. Damia
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of
either> movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald
Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
A beautiful actress, Alida Valli had the iconic walk past Joseph
Cotten at the conclusion of "The Third Man". She was a "baroness" by
virtue of her father.
Thanks. That brings my count down to seven. I remember the scene well,
although I had forgotten her name.
--
Ken
RH Draney
2019-12-02 21:07:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Mack A. Damia
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by b***@shaw.ca
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international
castingmonstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries.
Wikipedialists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda,
Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers,
Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli,
Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
nine of whom are famous actors I've never heard of.
Only eight of those are actors I've never heard of.
A beautiful actress, Alida Valli had the iconic walk past Joseph
Cotten at the conclusion of "The Third Man".  She was a "baroness" by
virtue of her father.
Thanks. That brings my count down to seven. I remember the scene well,
although I had forgotten her name.
My count is also down to seven, but not because of Signorina
Valli...instead, I recognized Dominique Sanda from "Damnation Alley"....r
RH Draney
2019-12-02 07:03:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@shaw.ca
Post by Ken Blake
Post by RH Draney
Post by J. J. Lodder
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
The movies "1408" and "2046" are often mistakenly thought to be named
for years...both titles in fact refer to room numbers....r
*I* never made that mistake--probably because I've never heard of either
movie.
I recall enjoying 1900, although it was one of those international casting
monstrosities, with famous actors from a bunch of countries. Wikipedia
lists Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda, Francesca Bertini, Laura Betti, Stefania Casini, Ellen Schwiers, Sterling Hayden, Alida Valli, Romolo Valli, Stefania Sandrelli, Donald Sutherland, and Burt Lancaster.
Not to be confused with "The Legend of 1900", which like "1408" and
"2046" has a four-digit number in its title that does not, strictly
speaking, refer to a year (it's the name of the movie's central
character, who was however given that name by the ship's engineer who
found him as a newborn early on the morning of January 1, 1900, on a
ship in the middle of an Atlantic crossing)....r
John Varela
2019-12-01 23:08:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by J. J. Lodder
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by J. J. Lodder
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Peter Moylan
While I agree with your gripe, I have to point out that France is one of
the worst offenders. French newspapers, especially, are peppered with
initialisms that mostly mean nothing to me. I have better things to do
with my finite brain capacity than to remember the difference between
CNRS and SNCF.
What about the French habit of referring to historical events by nothing
but the date?
Like 1066?
(and all that)
No. An American equivalent would be if we referred to "the event of 1846"
that altered the destiny of the country.
Nomnsense. A destiny can't be altered. It is.
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by J. J. Lodder
PS Note that the year in which the Americans chose
not to have any history for the next hundred+ years
is Not Memorable.
Not the slightest idea what you're talking about.
I do see books with nothing but '1776' on the cover,
with some Napoleon wannabees in the background.
No idea what it could be about, but no doubt there
is nothing of interest in it, with merely a year for a title,
I have a copy of a book titled "1491", the point of the title being
that nothing in particular happened in that year.
--
John Varela
J. J. Lodder
2019-11-30 20:22:44 UTC
Permalink
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is thatin the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.
The link works for me,

Jan
--
About ICG-2020
Following on the successful organizing of ICG this year, ICG-2020 will
provide a platform for participants to discuss current issues and
innovations in the field of genetics and related disciplines. The
organizing committee of ICG-2020 devotes itself to supply the most
cutting-edge technology information to you. We aim to bring together
Experts from academic, industrial professionals and key-decision makers
to present their new achievement on their research. During the congress,
we will set up a serious of activities such as Scientific Program,
Business Development, Exhibitions, Posters and so on. There also will be
other meetings holding with ICG-2020.
Introduction of Dalian
Dalian - the "Northern Pearl" and summer resort of China, compared to
ancient capital cities such as Beijing, Xian, Nanjing or Xi'an, is a
young city with only a 100-year history. Dalian is the most relaxed and
livable city in Northeast China. In many parts of China, economic
prosperity comes at the price of clean air and charm. Not so in Dalian,
whose natural blessings are its biggest asset. Tree-lined, hilly
streets, dotted colonial architectures, an impressive coastline with
beaches, as well as its prosperous town, have made it being dubbed as
the "Hong Kong of the North China". It is one of the three Best Tourism
Cities (2006), along with Hangzhou and Chengdu, recognized by the
National Tourism Administration.
Who would want to visit that stinking real Hong Kong,
where nothing but traitors live, when you can visit
the "Hong Kong of the North China" [sic] instead?
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-01 07:18:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by J. J. Lodder
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is thatin the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.
The link works for me,
It does for me, now. So I checked the programme, and golly: absolutely
NO useful information. Every single speaker is represented by a big ?
mark. I looked at the list of famous people who'd spoken at the
previous meeting and didn't see any name I recognized.
--
athel
Peter Moylan
2019-12-01 09:48:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by J. J. Lodder
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one,
please check the program online at
http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we confirm about your
attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite
apart from the fractured English, what concerns me is thatin the
whole message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the
link provided doesn't work.
The link works for me,
absolutely NO useful information. Every single speaker is represented
by a big ? mark. I looked at the list of famous people who'd spoken
at the previous meeting and didn't see any name I recognized.
That's just a step beyond what was happening shortly before I retired,
when academics were being urged to submit papers to journals that nobody
had ever heard of. Established researchers would have ignored that, but
they could have trapped junior academics under pressure from the
"publish or perish" forces.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
occam
2019-12-01 10:03:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by J. J. Lodder
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is thatin the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.
The link works for me,
It does for me, now. So I checked the programme, and golly: absolutely
NO useful information. Every single speaker is represented by a big ?
mark.
You may want to look up "Dr. Georges Pierrini, IRCGN, France".
(Institut de recherche criminelle de la Gendarmerie nationale.)

If he did not attend, then you can report the event to him. If he does
not exist, you may want to get in touch with IRCGN and report THAT to them.



I looked at the list of famous people who'd spoken at the previous
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
meeting and didn't see any name I recognized.
bert
2019-11-30 11:40:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior? Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
Mark Brader
2019-11-30 11:58:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by bert
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior? Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
And as everyone knows, ICG is the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, which
was formed when the Illinois Central merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio,
and which was later taken over by CNR. Done!
--
Mark Brader | "I do not think about things that I do not think about."
Toronto | "Do you ever think about things that you *do* think about?"
***@vex.net | --Inherit the Wind, Lawrence & Lee
Jerry Friedman
2019-12-01 03:43:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mark Brader
Post by bert
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior? Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
And as everyone knows, ICG is the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, which
was formed when the Illinois Central merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio,
and which was later taken over by CNR. Done!
When I lived in Champaign-Urbana, I went to Chicago the City of New
Orleans, famed in song and, well, song, or else I didn't. The other
possibility was the Illini Swallow.
--
Jerry Friedman
Mack A. Damia
2019-12-01 04:02:25 UTC
Permalink
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 20:43:05 -0700, Jerry Friedman
Post by Jerry Friedman
Post by Mark Brader
Post by bert
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior? Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
And as everyone knows, ICG is the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, which
was formed when the Illinois Central merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio,
and which was later taken over by CNR. Done!
When I lived in Champaign-Urbana, I went to Chicago the City of New
Orleans, famed in song and, well, song, or else I didn't. The other
possibility was the Illini Swallow.
Did you ever get to Rantoul, Jerry?

Home of Chanute AFB? The cereal - "Chanutees": Add milk and it
sucks.

I must have flown out of Champaign-Urbana to O'Hare for a flight to
Philly.
Jerry Friedman
2019-12-01 14:12:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mack A. Damia
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 20:43:05 -0700, Jerry Friedman
...
Post by Mack A. Damia
Post by Jerry Friedman
Post by Mark Brader
And as everyone knows, ICG is the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, which
was formed when the Illinois Central merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio,
and which was later taken over by CNR. Done!
When I lived in Champaign-Urbana, I went to Chicago
on
Post by Mack A. Damia
Post by Jerry Friedman
the City of New
Orleans, famed in song and, well, song, or else I didn't. The other
possibility was the Illini Swallow.
Did you ever get to Rantoul, Jerry?
Home of Chanute AFB?
Nope. I knew it was there, but that's all.
Post by Mack A. Damia
The cereal - "Chanutees": Add milk and it sucks.
Does that make any sense, other than "it sucks"?
Post by Mack A. Damia
I must have flown out of Champaign-Urbana to O'Hare for a flight to
Philly.
Speaking of milk, I think Chambana to Chicago counts as a milk run.
--
Jerry Friedman
Mack A. Damia
2019-12-01 18:23:42 UTC
Permalink
On Sun, 1 Dec 2019 07:12:22 -0700, Jerry Friedman
Post by Jerry Friedman
Post by Mack A. Damia
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 20:43:05 -0700, Jerry Friedman
...
Post by Mack A. Damia
Post by Jerry Friedman
Post by Mark Brader
And as everyone knows, ICG is the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, which
was formed when the Illinois Central merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio,
and which was later taken over by CNR. Done!
When I lived in Champaign-Urbana, I went to Chicago
on
Post by Mack A. Damia
Post by Jerry Friedman
the City of New
Orleans, famed in song and, well, song, or else I didn't. The other
possibility was the Illini Swallow.
Did you ever get to Rantoul, Jerry?
Home of Chanute AFB?
Nope. I knew it was there, but that's all.
Post by Mack A. Damia
The cereal - "Chanutees": Add milk and it sucks.
Does that make any sense, other than "it sucks"?
A little quip enjoyed by adolescent airmen. Chanute AFB was a
training site with tech schools (Air Training Command) - and actually
tougher than basic training.

Up at 4 am, formation - march to breakfast. Back to the barracks for
cleanup, etc, and then march to school. Six hours of classes and then
march to lunch. After lunch, march back to the barracks. Various
duties in the afternoon. March to dinner, march back and study. Lights
out at 9 pm.
Post by Jerry Friedman
Post by Mack A. Damia
I must have flown out of Champaign-Urbana to O'Hare for a flight to
Philly.
Speaking of milk, I think Chambana to Chicago counts as a milk run.
There was a pawn shop in Rantoul, and I had bought the Petri
Rangefinder at Lackland AFB maybe a month or so earlier. I found two
special lenses for it in the pawn shop in a leather case, and that was
about the only thing worthwhile that came from that experience.
Peter Moylan
2019-11-30 12:04:29 UTC
Permalink
On Saturday, 30 November 2019 10:30:33 UTC, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? . . . one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior? Strictly left-pondian. Canadian National
Railway System? Ditto.
DOI had me whooshed, but Google tells me that it means Digital Object
Identifier, something to be used in citations. I did most of my research
publishing before it came along, so never needed to know what it meant.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 12:17:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Moylan
On Saturday, 30 November 2019 10:30:33 UTC, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? . . . one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior? Strictly left-pondian. Canadian National
Railway System? Ditto.
DOI had me whooshed, but Google tells me that it means Digital Object
Identifier, something to be used in citations. I did most of my research
publishing before it came along, so never needed to know what it meant.
Yes. It's recent. The review we have in press is the first publication
where I've bothered to include them. They're supposed to be permalinks,
but, as I found when I checked all the DOIs in our review yesterday I
found several that have gone dead or been changed. That shouldn't
happen, but it does. Try doi:10.1007/s00114-002-0389-9 : it won't take
you anywhere useful, but it's still listed like that in the journal
contents, in PubMed and Web of Science.
--
athel
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 12:06:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by bert
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior?
Digital Object Organizer

Anyone who reads the scientific literature needs that one. A typical
reference looks like this, the last bit being the DOI:

Woese, C. R., 2004. A new biology for a new century. Microbiol. Mol.
Biol. Rev., 68(2), 173–186. doi: 10.1128/mmbr.68.2.173-186.2004.

If you paste that into a browser, or, more likely if you click on it in
a PDF file, it will take you to the paper.
Post by bert
Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
As I said, CNRS is specific to me, or at least, to people who work
there: Centre National de Recherche Scientifique.
--
athel
Peter T. Daniels
2019-11-30 15:26:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by bert
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior?
Digital Object Organizer
Irganizer?
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Anyone who reads the scientific literature needs that one. A typical
Woese, C. R., 2004. A new biology for a new century. Microbiol. Mol.
Biol. Rev., 68(2), 173–186. doi: 10.1128/mmbr.68.2.173-186.2004.
I asked how to pronounce him ...
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
If you paste that into a browser, or, more likely if you click on it in
a PDF file, it will take you to the paper.
I was having to use them, and include them, long before I knew what "doi"
stood for ... and it was another while before I discovered whether "doi"
or "DOI" was preferred, and with or without colon.
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by bert
Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
As I said, CNRS is specific to me, or at least, to people who work
there: Centre National de Recherche Scientifique.
In Chicago we enjoyed mentioning the Practical School of High Studies.
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-02 11:55:43 UTC
Permalink
On Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 7:05:01 AM UTC-5, Athel Cornish-Bowden wr
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by bert
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior?
Digital Object Organizer
Irganizer?
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Anyone who reads the scientific literature needs that one. A typical
Woese, C. R., 2004. A new biology for a new century. Microbiol. Mol.
Biol. Rev., 68(2), 173–186. doi: 10.1128/mmbr.68.2.173-186.2004.
I asked how to pronounce him ...
That's something I've never been sure about. My German colleague who
knew him said that it wasn't pronounced like a German word, but more
like the English word "woes".
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
If you paste that into a browser, or, more likely if you click on it in
a PDF file, it will take you to the paper.
I was having to use them, and include them, long before I knew what "doi"
stood for ... and it was another while before I discovered whether "doi"
or "DOI" was preferred, and with or without colon.
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by bert
Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
As I said, CNRS is specific to me, or at least, to people who work
there: Centre National de Recherche Scientifique.
In Chicago we enjoyed mentioning the Practical School of High Studies.
--
athel
Peter T. Daniels
2019-12-02 14:38:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
On Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 7:05:01 AM UTC-5, Athel Cornish-Bowden wr
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Anyone who reads the scientific literature needs that one. A typical
Woese, C. R., 2004. A new biology for a new century. Microbiol. Mol.
Biol. Rev., 68(2), 173–186. doi: 10.1128/mmbr.68.2.173-186.2004.
I asked how to pronounce him ...
That's something I've never been sure about. My German colleague who
knew him said that it wasn't pronounced like a German word, but more
like the English word "woes".
Surprising. All my conjectures have two syllables.
Spains Harden
2019-12-02 16:30:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter T. Daniels
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
On Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 7:05:01 AM UTC-5, Athel Cornish-Bowden wr
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Anyone who reads the scientific literature needs that one. A typical
Woese, C. R., 2004. A new biology for a new century. Microbiol. Mol.
Biol. Rev., 68(2), 173–186. doi: 10.1128/mmbr.68.2.173-186.2004.
I asked how to pronounce him ...
That's something I've never been sure about. My German colleague who
knew him said that it wasn't pronounced like a German word, but more
like the English word "woes".
Surprising. All my conjectures have two syllables.
He could then have pointed at himself, and said "Woe is me".
b***@shaw.ca
2019-11-30 20:00:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by bert
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations?
. . . one can hardly avoid URL and DOI . . . and CNRS.
Department of the Interior? Strictly left-pondian.
Canadian National Railway System? Ditto.
The CNR's full name is Canadian National Railway. If you add system,
it is lower-case and refers to the CNR's tracks and other facilities.

bill
Mark Brader
2019-11-30 21:11:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@shaw.ca
The CNR's full name is Canadian National Railway.
For greater clarity: it is *now*, but it used to be Canadian National
Railways before it was privatized.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto "Logic is logic. That's all I say."
***@vex.net -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Peter Moylan
2019-12-01 03:58:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mark Brader
Post by b***@shaw.ca
The CNR's full name is Canadian National Railway.
For greater clarity: it is *now*, but it used to be Canadian
National Railways before it was privatized.
I know that privatisation usually leads to cutbacks in service, but
cutting to just one railway sounds a bit extreme.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Mark Brader
2019-12-01 04:41:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Mark Brader
Post by b***@shaw.ca
The CNR's full name is Canadian National Railway.
For greater clarity: it is *now*, but it used to be Canadian
National Railways before it was privatized.
I know that privatisation usually leads to cutbacks in service, but
cutting to just one railway sounds a bit extreme.
Chuckle!

But it actually makes sense if you look at the history. The CNR
originated (in the years following WW1) in the same way as ConRail
in the US (in the 1970s) -- the federal government took over a
number of bankrupt railways in order to keep them operating.
(The two largest ones were the Grand Trunk, in which Lord Grantham
lost his fortune on Downton Abbey, and the Canadian Northern.)

Over the decades the CNR became a well integrated system, although
it kept the plural name; and the government figured that even if
it needed subsidies, which it did a fair amount of the time, having
it in public operation was a good idea. However, it really was a
single system and the singularization of the name when it was
finally privatized in the 1990s just made sense.

ConRail, by the way, lasted about 20 years in public ownership before
it was sold off to other railways.
--
Mark Brader "This is... a film... almost without explosions."
Toronto, ***@vex.net --Mark Leeper

My text in this article is in the public domain.
Peter Duncanson [BrE]
2019-11-30 12:58:12 UTC
Permalink
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 11:30:27 +0100, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is that in the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.
The link works for me.

It is "BIT'S 4th International Congress of Genetics" in Dalian, China,
on April 25-28 2020. The theme is "Decoding Gene for a Better Life".
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
It turns out that there are quite a few congresses that call themselves
ICG2020. The first hit is the
13rd International Conference on Goats 2020 in Eger, Hungary
Then there are
ICG Annual Meeting 2020 in Kraków (which also neglects to mention what
it's about)
Annual Crystal Growth Conference in Torino
Loading Image...
4th International Congress of Genetics (ICG-2020) in Dalian, China,
which is probably the one they mean)
But if I don't fancy Eger but do want to go to Hungary next year there
are the International Children's Games in Kecskemét.
International Conference on Geological barrier systems in Hannover at
the BGR (whatever that is -- they don't say)
International Conference on Gerontechnology: they don't say where that
is, but the .hk URL suggests Hong Kong.
International Cluster Games in Singapore
International Conference on Glass in Prague
International Conference on Geomembranes in Osaka
You may think I've cheated by putting the most plausible one in fourth
place, but no: I've listed them in the order that comes up in a search.
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 14:07:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 11:30:27 +0100, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020>>
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please>>
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we>>
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite
apart>from the fractured English, what concerns me is that in the
whole>message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the
link>provided doesn't work.
The link works for me.
It is "BIT'S 4th International Congress of Genetics" in Dalian, China,
on April 25-28 2020. The theme is "Decoding Gene for a Better Life".
Yes. It's a fake meeting that has ripped off the title of the
International Congress of Genetics that has existed since 1898.
--
athel
Ken Blake
2019-11-30 15:50:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?

WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
MS
RADAR
SNAFU
FUBAR
ROFL
ROFLMAO
UNESCO
UNICEF
FAO

etc.
--
Ken
Spains Harden
2019-11-30 16:03:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
MS
RADAR
SNAFU
FUBAR
ROFL
ROFLMAO
UNESCO
UNICEF
FAO
BBC
ITV
QWERTY

WYSIWYG is a good one though - thanks for reminding me of that.
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 16:14:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Spains Harden
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
MS
RADAR
SNAFU
FUBAR
ROFL
ROFLMAO
UNESCO
UNICEF
FAO
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think it
stands for?
Post by Spains Harden
WYSIWYG is a good one though - thanks for reminding me of that.
--
athel
Richard Heathfield
2019-11-30 16:37:47 UTC
Permalink
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think it
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!

Abbrevs need not have each letter stand for smthng. Simple shortenings
count as abbrevs as well.
--
Richard Heathfield
Email: rjh at cpax dot org dot uk
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29 July 1999
Sig line 4 vacant - apply within
Kerr-Mudd,John
2019-12-03 09:49:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think it
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?

Not that I'm OCD about it.
Post by Richard Heathfield
Abbrevs need not have each letter stand for smthng. Simple shortenings
count as abbrevs as well.
--
Bah, and indeed, Humbug.
Richard Heathfield
2019-12-03 10:00:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think
it
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
Not that I'm OCD about it.
Or OCCD, even?
--
Richard Heathfield
Email: rjh at cpax dot org dot uk
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29 July 1999
Sig line 4 vacant - apply within
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-03 10:00:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think
it
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
That's puzzling. Does Richard really have ADS in that order, or did he
type it from memory? (I have QSD in that position on my keyboard.)
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Not that I'm OCD about it.
Post by Richard Heathfield
Abbrevs need not have each letter stand for smthng. Simple shortenings
count as abbrevs as well.
--
athel
Richard Heathfield
2019-12-03 10:38:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think
it
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
That's puzzling. Does Richard really have ADS in that order, or did he
type it from memory?
Typing keyboard characters in order is a most unnatural action. My
fingers twizzled (or, perhaps, my twingers fizzled), and I didn't notice.

In fact, it's worse than that, because I didn't even notice when John
pointed it out; after consulting a list of various possibilities I
thought he was just making a joking reference to a neurodevelopmental
disorder.

I did, however, notice *his* typo - the CC thing.

This is why peer review is so important.
--
Richard Heathfield
Email: rjh at cpax dot org dot uk
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29 July 1999
Sig line 4 vacant - apply within
Kerr-Mudd,John
2019-12-03 10:42:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 16:37:47 GMT, Richard Heathfield
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think
it
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
That's puzzling. Does Richard really have ADS in that order, or did he
type it from memory?
Typing keyboard characters in order is a most unnatural action. My
fingers twizzled (or, perhaps, my twingers fizzled), and I didn't notice.
In fact, it's worse than that, because I didn't even notice when John
pointed it out; after consulting a list of various possibilities I
thought he was just making a joking reference to a neurodevelopmental
disorder.
I did, however, notice *his* typo - the CC thing.
This is why peer review is so important.
Indeed; extra peering is good. In my defence I shal quote Skitt's Law.
--
Bah, and indeed, Humbug.
Peter Young
2019-12-03 10:54:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think
it
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
That's puzzling. Does Richard really have ADS in that order, or did he
type it from memory? (I have QSD in that position on my keyboard.)
So do I. Isn't than standard in UK keyboards?

Peter.
--
Peter Young, (BrE, RP), Consultant Anaesthetist, 1975-2004.
(US equivalent: Certified Anesthesiologist) (AUE Hg)
Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK. Now happily retired.
http://pnyoung.orpheusweb.co.uk
musika
2019-12-03 11:23:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Young
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think
it
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
That's puzzling. Does Richard really have ADS in that order, or did he
type it from memory? (I have QSD in that position on my keyboard.)
So do I. Isn't than standard in UK keyboards?
No. QSD is standard on French keyboards. ASD is standard on UK keyboards.
--
Ray
UK
Peter Duncanson [BrE]
2019-12-03 14:49:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by musika
Post by Peter Young
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Post by Richard Heathfield
<snip>
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think
it
Post by Richard Heathfield
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
stands for?
QWERTYUIOPADSFGHJKLZXCVBNM, of course!
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
That's puzzling. Does Richard really have ADS in that order, or did he
type it from memory? (I have QSD in that position on my keyboard.)
So do I. Isn't than standard in UK keyboards?
No. QSD is standard on French keyboards. ASD is standard on UK keyboards.
Indeed. Otherwise a UK keyboard wouldn't have QWERTY on the top row (of
letter keys).
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
Sam Plusnet
2019-12-03 18:17:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
Not that I'm OCD about it.
Perhaps not, but a certain amount of OCR would be required.
--
Sam Plusnet
Richard Heathfield
2019-12-03 18:29:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Sam Plusnet
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
Not that I'm OCD about it.
Perhaps not, but a certain amount of OCR would be required.
OIC.
--
Richard Heathfield
Email: rjh at cpax dot org dot uk
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29 July 1999
Sig line 4 vacant - apply within
Kerr-Mudd,John
2019-12-03 19:35:00 UTC
Permalink
Post by Sam Plusnet
Post by Kerr-Mudd,John
Am I too late to point out that my keyboard is
QWERTYUIOP ASD FGHJKLZXCCVBNM ?
Not that I'm OCD about it.
Perhaps not, but a certain amount of OCR would be required.
AOK,AOL.
--
Bah, and indeed, Humbug.
Ken Blake
2019-11-30 17:49:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
MS
RADAR
SNAFU
FUBAR
ROFL
ROFLMAO
UNESCO
UNICEF
FAO
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think it
stands for?
It's short for QWERTYUIOP.
--
Ken
Tony Cooper
2019-11-30 21:11:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
MS
RADAR
SNAFU
FUBAR
ROFL
ROFLMAO
UNESCO
UNICEF
FAO
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think it
stands for?
It's short for QWERTYUIOP.
Left off the list are the many Latin abbreviations used in this group.
Eg: Eg.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
Ken Blake
2019-11-30 23:51:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Cooper
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Spains Harden
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
MS
RADAR
SNAFU
FUBAR
ROFL
ROFLMAO
UNESCO
UNICEF
FAO
BBC
ITV
QWERTY
QWERTY is not an abbreviation. If you think it is, what do you think it
stands for?
It's short for QWERTYUIOP.
Left off the list are the many Latin abbreviations used in this group.
Eg: Eg.
Yes, eg, ie, and lots of others. I realized that I had omitted them
shortly after sending the message.


But in my defense, I didn't try to say my list was complete; that's why
I added etc.
--
Ken
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 16:12:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write) know
what that stands for. Now I think of it that's not the only one: one
can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are more
meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard for,
and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
Never
Post by Ken Blake
PDF
Yes
Post by Ken Blake
DNS
Never
Post by Ken Blake
DOC
Never
Post by Ken Blake
MS
manuscript, micro$oft, something else? Anyway, no
Post by Ken Blake
RADAR
I don't regard that as an abbreviation, however it started.
Post by Ken Blake
SNAFU
FUBAR
ROFL
ROFLMAO
None of those, ever
Post by Ken Blake
UNESCO
UNICEF
OK, but they're close to being names, and I suspect most people
couldn't write them out in full.
Post by Ken Blake
FAO
Probably never.
Post by Ken Blake
etc.
I suppose that's an abbreviation, so I have to admit using it.
--
athel
Peter Moylan
2019-12-01 04:01:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
It was decided long ago that .doc was the standard filename extension
for "documentation file", but not all Microsoft customers know that.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Peter Moylan
2019-12-02 00:03:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
It was decided long ago that .doc was the standard filename extension
for "documentation file", but not all Microsoft customers know that.
I'm one of those who didn't know that. I thought it was just an
abbreviation for "document."
That interpretation was introduced by MS-Word, carelessly ignoring the
fact that *.doc already had an established meaning.
--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-12-02 06:12:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
It was decided long ago that .doc was the standard filename extension
for "documentation file", but not all Microsoft customers know that.
I'm one of those who didn't know that. I thought it was just an
abbreviation for "document."
That interpretation was introduced by MS-Word, carelessly ignoring the
fact that *.doc already had an established meaning.
Carelessly, or not-giving-a-damnishly?
--
athel
Snidely
2019-12-06 09:54:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Peter Moylan
Post by Ken Blake
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Why do people insist on using undefined abbreviations? The only
abbreviation I habitually use is "USA", as I figure that even people
who live in caves in Afghanistan (but have access to what I write)
one can hardly avoid URL and DOI, for which the abbreviations are
more meaningful for people who see them than the things they standard
for, and I can hardly avoid CNRS.
Do you not use any of the following?
WYSIWYG
PDF
DNS
DOC
It was decided long ago that .doc was the standard filename extension
for "documentation file", but not all Microsoft customers know that.
I'm one of those who didn't know that. I thought it was just an
abbreviation for "document."
That interpretation was introduced by MS-Word, carelessly ignoring the
fact that *.doc already had an established meaning.
Carelessly, or not-giving-a-damnishly?
"Re-purposefully"

But that's happened a lot in the computer industry, and not just from
Redmond, WA (USA).

As Quinn's dot-sig sometimes points out ... if you don't like one
standard, there's always another one to choose.

/dps "Although X.25 has had a lot of puppies"
--
There's nothing inherently wrong with Big Data. What matters, as it
does for Arnold Lund in California or Richard Rothman in Baltimore, are
the questions -- old and new, good and bad -- this newest tool lets us
ask. (R. Lerhman, CSMonitor.com)
Tony Cooper
2019-11-30 14:33:41 UTC
Permalink
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 11:30:27 +0100, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is that in the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.
It turns out that there are quite a few congresses that call themselves
ICG2020. The first hit is the
13rd International Conference on Goats 2020 in Eger, Hungary
I think that would an interesting event. Requiring the speakers to
deliver their address on goatback would certainly add to the appeal.

I would, however, butt in an suggest that they advertise this as the
"13th" and not the "13rd" meeting.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
Athel Cornish-Bowden
2019-11-30 14:40:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]
On Sat, 30 Nov 2019 11:30:27 +0100, Athel Cornish-Bowden
Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden
Dear Dr. Athel Cornish-Bowden? do you interested in our ICG2020
conference? If this proposal session is your interested one, please
check the program online at http://bitcongress.com/ICG2020/. Can we
confirm about your attendance?
That is the last paragraph of an invitation to ICG2020. Quite apart
from the fractured English, what concerns me is that in the whole
message there is no indication of what ICG2020 is, and the link
provided doesn't work.
It turns out that there are quite a few congresses that call themselves
ICG2020. The first hit is the
13rd International Conference on Goats 2020 in Eger, Hungary
I think that would an interesting event. Requiring the speakers to
deliver their address on goatback would certainly add to the appeal.
I would, however, butt in an suggest that they advertise this as the
"13th" and not the "13rd" meeting.
Yes, I noticed that, but I expect it was written by a Hungarian.
--
athel
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