The totally off-topic thread

[JohnK]

That's sort of easy I'd make sure I classified it according to the relevant AS. Then I could reproduce it on return. I realise that is an outside influence of sorts. But besides measuring wavelength there are other ways to classify colour, computers do it all the time. That makes sharing relatively easy if the other person can also see. Unlike a blind person.

Now you are getting way too scientific.

Have we seen all the colours we are likely to see in our current existence? To be more specific I am referring to Earth. What happens on other planets, solar systems, galaxies is anyone's guess.

How do you describe a new colour to someone? No wavelengths, no pictures, no machines. I don't think it is possible to describe a colour to someone. I guess odour falls in the same category.

One can easily describe sounds and objects.

 

[Nigelinoz]

One can easily describe sounds

Only by reference to sounds one has heard before,for instance if I had never heard the sound of a train approaching how would you describe it to me? you may use words like
'A roaring sound" but what if I only thought of a 'roar' as the sound a lion makes?
Cheers
N'oz

 

[anat0l]

Only by reference to sounds one has heard before,for instance if I had never heard the sound of a train approaching how would you describe it to me? you may use words like
'A roaring sound" but what if I only thought of a 'roar' as the sound a lion makes?

:mrgreen:

Sorry, I just had a little laugh then imagining a ridiculous scene where a train comes roaring down the tracks and it sounds like a lion's roar.

 

[JohnK]

Only by reference to sounds one has heard before,for instance if I had never heard the sound of a train approaching how would you describe it to me? you may use words like
'A roaring sound" but what if I only thought of a 'roar' as the sound a lion makes?

Steam trains are easy. 'Choo, choo'. As for modern trains then I need to pay closer attention to the actual sound the train makes as it approaches.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Steam trains are easy. 'Choo, choo'. As for modern trains then I need to pay closer attention to the actual sound the train makes as it approaches.

http://www.steamsounds.co.uk/audio/cd24_113.mp3

 

[medhead]

Now you are getting way too scientific.

Have we seen all the colours we are likely to see in our current existence? To be more specific I am referring to Earth. What happens on other planets, solar systems, galaxies is anyone's guess.

How do you describe a new colour to someone? No wavelengths, no pictures, no machines. I don't think it is possible to describe a colour to someone. I guess odour falls in the same category.

One can easily describe sounds and objects.

On a technical note, we have seen all the colours we are going to see, just may not be aware of it, as white light (from those dark suckers) consists of all colours mixed together. In terms of other planets, the colours we see are limited by our eyes, we'll always view them through our eyes. That becomes a constant, our "light detector" will determine what the colour is to us.

But for the real answer I'll hand over to SWMBO who first said that she'd do an interpretative dance or make a Japanese rock garden. :shock:

But then she did say that you would do it by describing the emotions that you feel when seeing the colour. :idea:

I do think a new colour would be very easy to describe by reference to other colours. i.e. it's like red with a faint aqua tint, etc.

 

[Mal]

for instance if I had never heard the sound of a train approaching how would you describe it to me?

"It sounds a little bit like: We apologise that the 8:30am train to Central has been delayed for operational reasons".

Actually, I'd probably say:
As a train approaches you hear the train tracks buckle and groan a little, followed by the sound like "whuuur" coming closer. Then the breaks go on and there is the sound of wheels screeching against steel followed by the noise of air escaping as the door locks are released.

 

[samh004]

Actually, I'd probably say:
As a train approaches you hear the train tracks buckle and groan a little, followed by the sound like "whuuur" coming closer. Then the breaks go on and there is the sound of wheels screeching against steel followed by the noise of air escaping as the door locks are released.

I know of the sound brakes make, but not breaks

Just to be pedantic!

 

[drron]

With the Borders,Angus &robertson's and Whitcooulls chain across the Tasman going in to receivership is it time to get rid of parallel imports?
Borders, Angus & Robertson collapse due to online shopping
If the publishers continue to play hardball will they have anybody to sell to?

 

[Mal]

I know of the sound brakes make, but not breaks

Just to be pedantic!

Well many of QR's trains *are* broken

 

[docjames]

With the Borders,Angus &robertson's and Whitcooulls chain across the Tasman going in to receivership is it time to get rid of parallel imports?
Borders, Angus & Robertson collapse due to online shopping
If the publishers continue to play hardball will they have anybody to sell to?

It was hat to see them staying viable when something they were charging $35 for was available delivered to your mailbox within a week for $12.

You'd want the book pretty urgently to pay 3x the price.

 

[samh004]

Well many of QR's trains *are* broken

Touché.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Can't say I'm surprised that A&R are gone,in the last few years they really have lost the plot,their internet site is abominable with a poor search facility,and if the store near me is any example their retail outlets are poorly lit,overpriced and staffed by people who have no idea of customer service,it's a shame that a company with such a long history is gone but these days businesses need to stay up to date and sadly Angus and Robertson seem to be behind the times,personally I think the internet taking sales away thing is an excuse,a friend is a manager of a Dymocks store and he told me last week that he has never been busier.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[oz_mark]

A&R aren't gone yet - just their parent is administration. They may go soon, but they are still around ATM.

 

[Nigelinoz]

A&R aren't gone yet - just their parent is administration. They may go soon, but they are still around ATM.

Fair point ,oz_mark ,I was perhaps being a little "premature" with my comments.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[Bundy Bear]

Can't say I'm surprised that A&R are gone,in the last few years they really have lost the plot,their internet site is abominable with a poor search facility,and if the store near me is any example their retail outlets are poorly lit,overpriced and staffed by people who have no idea of customer service,it's a shame that a company with such a long history is gone but these days businesses need to stay up to date and sadly Angus and Robertson seem to be behind the times,personally I think the internet taking sales away thing is an excuse,a friend is a manager of a Dymocks store and he told me last week that he has never been busier.
Cheers
N'oz

Interesting discussion over on milepoint about the Borders in the US going into bankruptcy protection.

Seems like a few people go into book shops to read but not a lot of buying.

Bricks and mortar shops cost money and if you go someone like Amazon who doesn't have these overhead costs can then sell it cheaply.

Now we have those new ereaders(kindles) and other devises, which means you can have the book straight away you haven't even got to go and buy it.

Australia has separate book shops for magazines and then you have the book sellers so I am wondering whether this type of industry will just combine into one shop. Newsagents have the lotteries and the daily papers to keep people coming back, there is no real incentive to visit a book shop. Borders in Australia were starting to sell CDs and magazines but the standard Angus & Roberts was books only.

 

[oz_mark]

A&R has been a mere shadow of its former self, and it seems to have turned itself into a bargain bin dumping ground for publisher end lots. But maybe that's what happens sometimes when the venture capitalists come along, and take the soul out of the brands they have bought.

I think the big chain bookstores are on their way out - electronic publishing will ensure that. In the end we will be left with some specialit bespoke booksellers (with or without a cafe (yes, Borders sticking a cafe in your stores wasn't going to solve the problems)) filling a niche that will be left when mass publsihing moves on.

It's happening in music (and the music publishers are still kicking and screaming), and it will happen with books. Quite what the price gouging Australian publishers and distributors are going to do when they have no one left to sell to is an interesting question.

 

[drewbles]

It was hat to see them staying viable when something they were charging $35 for was available delivered to your mailbox within a week for $12.

You'd want the book pretty urgently to pay 3x the price.

Agreed. Places like the Book Depository in the UK ships for free, and has great prices.

Colleague here at work ordered a technical book thru Borders (using a price matching thing) and it shipped 'from overseas' on 17 December 2010. It arrived. Yesterday. He called to complain no less than 5 times to which they said 'oh it may take up to 8 weeks'. Eventually they re-ordered it, and that one turned up a week later. That was mid-January. He ended up with two copies, and no way to return one of them. FYI the 'Overseas" was New Zealand. 17 Dec to 17 Feb. I can only think it sat in some warehouse forgotten about somewhere!

I rarely order books (that's what an iPad/Kindle is for), but when I do, book depository has always worked brilliantly.

 

[drewbles]

Returning to off-topic...

Anyone interested in a poker night in Melbourne? Thought i'd gauge interest here before posting in the meets & social events threads...

All AFF'ers and friends welcome (within reason; I don't have a huge place). Generally it's a night of cards, alcohol and laughs

(and for those who have no idea how to play or deal, I'm happy to help - i'm a trained blackjack and poker dealer)

 

[anat0l]

Returning to off-topic...

Anyone interested in a poker night in Melbourne? Thought i'd gauge interest here before posting in the meets & social events threads...

All AFF'ers and friends welcome (within reason; I don't have a huge place). Generally it's a night of cards, alcohol and laughs

(and for those who have no idea how to play or deal, I'm happy to help - i'm a trained blackjack and poker dealer)

I'd call your bluff but I cannot lie - I'm not in Melbourne :mrgreen: