h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You're welcome! I'm glad to contribute

Master B: What's wrong with "almost transparent"? If you look at a lake and you see the bottom of the lake clearly, then the water is transparent (say transparency=1). If you look and you just see very opaque (say brown) water and have no clue about what is below (rocks? slope going down fast or not?), then it is absolutely not transparent (transparency=0), but you can also happen to just guess the bottom or see it partially obfuscated, in which case the water is translucid (0<transparency<1). "Almost transparent" means "translucid, but 1-transparency is a small number", say smaller than 0.1, and that's it.

Hmmmmm.... Personally, I prefer 'almost colourless'. Don't know why, just sounds better.
Oberon2001

Transparent is not a variable. Something is either transparent or it is not.

In the same way that something cannot be 'almost unique', 'almost infinite' or 'almost integral', something cannot be 'almost transparent'

B

Just to spoil the argument: Lawyers can have 'almost right'

Ok, I see your point.

H

Isn't this debate REALLY for the sub-ed eventually?
Oberon2001

On behalf of all subs - the more arguing you do now, the less work we have to do later

B

Nonononono you've got it all wrong!!! The perfect cup of tea is made by

1 Boil the kettle and pour some hot water into a cup - very little hot water...
2 Dip a tea bag in and squish it against the side
3 Get a tablespoon and ladle sugar in until it's absorbed the tea
4 Get a can of nice squirty cream and squirt until the cream goes over the edge of the cup.


how could anyone want it any other way??

Could I divert you attention towards F19585?thread=50349 which could be of use.

B

Werekitty, thanx for your thoughts on the fine art of tea making , you've been credited as a co-researcher and your thoughts added.
MasterB, I'm currently looking through that forum thread, seeing if I can find anything I can extract so thanx for that . It'll probably take a while (as I've got things to see, people to do ) but I'll get something I'm sure.
Oberon2001

wow, really?! Cool... So anyone wanna help on my terry pratchett thing coz I'm so stuck!

I think there might already be an entry on the Discworld (and Carpet People). I'll help if you want, but it might not get into the Guide.

I know there's one on carpet people... and I'm not desperate for it to get into the guide, it's an official temple, it's just so big...! I want one where every book and tape and character can be discussed, not just info on it If you will help that'd be great, just a description of one character would be useful.

I dipped into one of the entries recently, hope that helps! I'll probably dip in again from time to time.
Anyway, I'm gonna send this off to PR now, seeing as no new thoughts have popped up for a week or so... Find it at -> F48874?thread=225809
If it doesn't succeed in PR, I'll probably submit it to The Post, if that's ok with everyone.
Oberon2001