"Cecil Moore" wrote in message
...
Reg Edwards wrote:
Cec and others, what's the point in dragging in opinions of people
nobody
has ever head of and whose publications are highly unlikely ever to
become
available before all interest in the subject has faded from everybody's
imagination.

Reg, everyone except you has heard of John D. Kraus, W8JK. My personal
library would be extremely incomplete without his book(s).

If anything needs to be said, would it not be better to say it just on
one's
own authority and be done with it. Otherwise it falls into the category
of
"name dropping".

In physics and engineering circles, it's called providing a reference.
Without a reference, it is just a personal opinion, unless one can
prove otherwise. With a proper reference, it is generally accepted as
fact, unless one can prove otherwise. Check out all the references
at the end of any technical article.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp

=============================

Cec,

You know very well I have heard of Kraus. But only by reputation on these
walls. He must be a professional who by chance happened or happens to have a
call sign as so many American engineers do. As I am myself it so happens.
But that's about all of it.


The reputations of American amateurs and professionals appear to have become
mixed. In my opinion to the benefit of neither.


References are of no use unless they are accessible. It is of no use
recomending references to people who are without ready access to them.
People with ready access wouldn't be asking questions in the first place.


I have only two reference books of consequence. One author's name is
Terman. Believe me I have come to the conlusion that 99 percent people who
worship and specify Terman have never actually used him except merely for
quotations which they don't understand anyway. He need a lot of checking
before placing one's life in his hands. I say this as one who HAS used him
on occasions over the years but only as a very comprehensive and valuable
source of memory refreshment. But I have NEVER dropped his name to
strengthen my own statements. And nobody else's name either to my
recollection.


Whenever I see references to authors (most of which I've never heard of
except on these walls) I am inclined to the opinion the person making the
reference lacks self confidence in what he's waffling about.


But of course, when a reference is made for the purposes of further reading
should the source be readily available, then that's fine. But in such cases
I know full well the chances of getting my hands on a particular reference
within 6 months are remote. And should I ever get it it is unlikely to tell
me what I want to know anyway. Been there - done that too many times in
the past to expect otherwise. So as far as I'm concerned the matter is best
dropped. To minimise the losses just change the subject! To proceed is
never worth the trouble.


My other reference is Everitt. Far more reliable. I've never found a single
error in 55 years. I use him only every few years because I know him mostly
by heart anyway. You may think my knowledge base is exeedingly small. It
is!


Perhaps I could have explained the foregoing in better terms. But most of
you understand exactly what I'm saying. English and American English become
closer every day. Our politicians tell exactly the same lies.
----
Reg, G4FGQ

On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 01:35:32 +0000 (UTC), "Reg Edwards"
wrote:

But I have NEVER dropped his name to
strengthen my own statements. And nobody else's name either to my
recollection.

Short recollection. That is why folks supply citations. [merely
stating the bleeding obvious]

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Reg Edwards wrote:
References are of no use unless they are accessible.

Reg, if I need to look at a reference, I just drive 40 miles
over to the Texas A&M library. If I really like it, I buy one.
I bought 4 reference books last year.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp



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Reg Edwards wrote:

SNIP

Citing references is standard in the business where I last did technical
work.
Most good libraries have a reference section. Most technical
colleges/universities also have excellent resource sections. Anyway ...

SNIP

Our politicians tell exactly the same lies.
----
Reg, G4FGQ



Here in central NH this morning it is getting cool. Real cool. Air
temperature is -8F and still going down at 1200Z. Why, it's so cold that
the local weatherman chided that ... are you ready for this??

"It's so cold the politicians are keeping their hands in their own pockets."

Love it!! DD, W1MCE