Humour

[JohnNichols]

Dear Steve:

I have spent several days trying to get a registered version of VS 2013 Professional working on my Dell computer. It has been a nightmare, the CAB files were corrupted. Finally just sorted out the mess. I am now installing Fortran back to get the integration correct.

During this process I was talking to one of our computer support types, who made the statement that FORTRAN IS DEAD, I mumbled in my beard, Intel etc... and was told .. only one and they will get out of it shortly.

I did not laugh, poor taste

I did not cry, he was young and does not realize that Fortran will last till 42 is a real number again

I did not gnash my teeth, I simply did what any good Fortran programmer would do, I felt sorry for a lower life form and got on with coding.

JMN

[Craig_Dedo]

I noticed this discussion thread a few minutes ago.  I thought that readers may wish to read the article I wrote on "Debunking the Myths About Fortran".  I last updated it in May 2011.  Here is a link to a PDF copy of the article on www.box.net .

https://app.box.com/shared/gksd4706a9

I am actively welcoming any suggestions for improvement that you may have.

[DavidWhite]

Thanks for the video and image.

I would be interested in a T-shirt or mug.

Thanks.

[JohnNichols]

Dear All:

I got a rply from the mug people.  For about 12 each plus postage we can get a nice coffee mug with the logo on it. 

If we buy a gross then we can get them for 4 each.  I reckon maybe three people, so no gross.

Anyone interested please respond here so I can move on if there is any interest

it is the Fortran is not dead logo

JMN

[dboggs]

Count me in for one.

[DavidWhite]

Me too, although I guess shipping to Australia will cost.

Also, not sure how I'll get the money to you.

David

[JohnNichols]

Dear All:

I will order enough mugs. I will let you know when they arrive.

I will be in Oz in July and I will bring it with me for the Aussie.

JMN

[Paul_Curtis]

I'll take one.  TIA

[DavidWhite]

John,

While you said you'll be in Australia in July, remember it is a big place - from Perth (where I live) to Sydney is the same as London to Moscow!

I will, however, be visiting relatives in Toronto in July, so if shipping it there is an option, please let me know.

Thanks,

David

[P.S., have we lost the send private reply option on the forum? It would make more sense for me to correspond privately on this rather than in the forum]

[Steven_L_Intel1]

For now, yes, the private reply feature is not available to users. I'm discussing this with management.

[JohnNichols]

David:

It is almost impossible to explain Thesis week to most normal folk. it is not to bad when there is only one thesis student, two makes it interesting, three difficult and four means you are putting 1% of the graduating research students at the University through one office. I know the Thesis Office Director at TAMU by first name. She and her staff are excellent, but follow the rules completely. She makes grown men weep.

The problem is that the students are stressed and the committee's have perverse personalities, which is putting it politely. So it is not a good mix.

This semester has been somewhat kind, only two, one thesis and one professional paper. The professional paper was finished last week and the thesis - today.

One of my students was asked by his committee, why did he put the linear regression equation and the R(squared) on the graph. He tried to explain, made a HASH of it and received some negative comments. Later he asked me why, considering he had taken and passed Advanced Statistics at a top school, I was only moderately surprised. The real answer is because it is easy and anyone who understands stat will understand the R(squared) number and assign it a weight, instead he put in the full linear regression equation, normal probability plots. descriptive statistics and residuals plot, took about 2 pages in the document, then he asked again, so what does this is mean. I replied has an R(squared) of 0.95 so it is ok.

I have gone back to the shop to move the order forward.  Toronto will be easier.

JMN

[DavidWhite]

John,

Since the forum no longer has private messages, are you on linkedin?

Thanks,

David

[JohnNichols]

jm-Nichols--tamu.edu

fill in the missing symbol

[JohnNichols]

The company that can produce the mugs has sent two colour samples, either white or silver

see attached pictures, can we take a vote on which we prefer?

I am going to order 8 to start with - should cover everybody - any left over are Christmas presents.

I vote white

JMN

[dboggs]

Reluctantly, I also have to vote white. I say reluctantly because I already have various white mugs out the wazoo, but I do think the white looks a tad better.

I could easily be swayed if others prefer silver.

[Paul_Curtis]

White works for me.  Thx.
 

[DavidWhite]

I'm happy with white, too.

[JohnNichols]

Dear D Boggs:

I can ask them if they will do one silver mug just for you if you like.

JMN

[dboggs]

What service! Thanks but don't bother. I'd rather go with the flow.

[JohnNichols]

All white,  - done

[JohnNichols]

Dear All:

I have sent notices to a all folks who said they wanted a mug.  I had two left over, but I believe they went at the weekend to the Chemistry Department at TAMU. if you have not got a notice and you wanted a mug please let me know.

We raised about 200 for Cystic Fibrosis research - which is good.

I am just sorry Steve did not get a mug?

JMN

[dboggs]

John,

I had wanted a mug, and sent you an e-mail with my address as directed, but go no response.