HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: skh4161@mvs.draper.com (Kjeld Hvatum)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: IQ Test?
Date: 31 Dec 92 09:14:00 GMT
Organization: Draper Laboratory


>From: Eric Roberts <roberts@gaul.csd.uwo.ca>
>Message-ID: <1992Dec31.055149.15267@julian.uwo.ca>
>
>In article <01GSXMV9SKC6ADDCVB@ccfvx3.draper.com> skh4161@mvs.draper.com (Kjeld
> Hvatum) writes:
>>
>>>From: bhmd1464@altair.selu.edu
>>>Message-ID: <1992Dec30.133342.1273@altair.selu.edu>
>>>
>>>  According to my memory, the formula for computing IQ was something
>>>like   mental age * 10 / physical age.  How is IQ really computed
>>>or determined?  Can it be done accurately for someone my age (23)?
>>>
>>>Brian Acosta
>>
>>Mental age * 100 / chronological age is the old forumula.
>>The modern version, especially for adults, is the deviation
>>IQ, computed via the normal distribution (bell curve) from
>>rank in the population.
>
>Old or new, useless just the same.

Mathematically speaking, no less useful than percentiles, which are used
extensively in the educational environment.  And more useful in the
sense that the IQ construct, via its original definition, approximately
relates percentile differences to age differences among children.  As a
rule of thumb, for instance, it allows you to conclude that a
10-year-old scoring at the 75th percentile on a vocabulary test is doing
about as well as an 11-year-old scoring at the 50th percentile.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: shome@eeserv.ee.umanitoba.ca (Tapas Shome)
Subject: Think Tank
Summary: Is there such a society?
Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 20:33:15 GMT

 Is there a ftpable list of think-tank societies?
 For instance political watchers of West Germany`s Republicana Party?
 Japanease post graduate reserch program in universities as
 opposed to industry based research?
 Corellation of private/public education and contribution to
 scientific society.. especially  in the context of England?


 Appreciate all sensible answers.

shome@eeserv.ee.umanitoba.ca

--
Parallel Systems are easier to built than to use them---- MIT. 
E_mail: (Tapas Shome )shome@eeserv.ee.umanitoba.ca, tshome@ccu.umanitoba.ca
AIM: Ordnung ist das halve Laben. Arbeit macht Ordnung.
From: skh4161@mvs.draper.com (Kjeld Hvatum)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Four Sigma?
Date: 3 Jan 93 18:00:00 GMT
Organization: Draper Laboratory


>From: Michael Zimmers <mzimmers@netcom.com>
>Message-Id: <9301040152.AA19433@netcom.netcom.com>
>...
>>The most commonly used test for this society was probably the LAIT
>>(Langdon Adult Intelligence Test).  Try the address I posted recently
>>for Polymath Systems.
>
>If it isn't too much trouble, can you dig it out?  I'm not sure
>I can find it.

   Polymath Systems
   PO Box 795
   Berkeley, CA 94701

Unfortunately, responses from this address are not always prompt, to say
the least.

>>As far as I know, 4 Sigma is defunct.  I don't think there's been a
>>journal in years.  The only extant society with the same entrance
>>requirements is the Prometheus Society.
>
>Omni magazine had an article about their test just a few months ago.
>It's really the test I'm interested in.

Was that the Quest Test (January issue, I think), or something
else?
From: quest@iowegia.uucp (Steve J. Quest)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Atheism and Intelligence
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 92 11:23:59 CST
Distribution: world
Organization: Iowegia Public Access Usenet/UUCP, Clive IA USA.

radams@BNR.CA (Rodney Adams) writes:

> I do, by the way, believe that there is a positive correlation between
> intelligence and atheism, but to me it's always seemed akin to the way
> some people, particularly young people, try to be "different" by adopting
> the same patterns as the group of people with which they want to associate.
> In other words, atheism seems to be the "in" thing among the intellectual
> elites, so those who wish to seem intelligent frequently adopt atheism
> so that they may scorn those "stupid" enough to believe in God.  For 
> other intelligent individuals, atheism may have been in reaction to a
> perceived abandonment by God stemming from social rejection, familial
> difficulties, or other such problems.  An intelligent person will tend to 
> think more about why things are the way they are, and if no reconciliation
> can be made between God and evil, the easiest thing for a person to do might
> be to abandon belief.

Rodney,

        God was created by man in order to fill a basic need in 
man.  We are primates, who are reared by parents.  We are not born 
into this world "ready for action", we rely upon our parents for 
the first many years of our lives- SO DEPENDENTLY, that the 
outcropping of religion and god are to be expected.  When we are a 
child, and we need support, we run to Mom and Dad.  When we grow 
up, who do we run to?  Usually, people who are not able to stand 
on their own because the preditary nature of humans in general 
cause them to live an unrewarding life, turn to god for relief and 
support.  Since god does not exist, god can NOT let you down.  
Since god is what you make him/her/it to be, it is exactly what 
you expect/want/need.

        I stand on my own in this world, but do require the 
support of other fellow humans- not deities.  I am an atheist, and 
I am in a great minority.

        I want to point out at this point that just because one 
has a high IQ does not mean that they are logical in thought.  
True logic discounts the existence of god, but not everyone 
ascribes to pure and true logic.  It is difficult to remove the 
"human nature" from oneself.  I myself have needs that could be 
fulfilled with religion, but I use science to replace this.  I am 
a VERY religious man, and I rely heavily upon science to fulfill 
my needs.  Science pushes me ever farther away from the need of 
religion, and therefore I believe one day science `may' replace 
god as the foundation for human existence- we will all live NOT 
for god, but for science.................sq

(common thread amongst believers- they are often poor and 
uneducated.  The greater their poverty and lack of education the 
more likely they will become devoutly religious.  All people fall 
between these rails, of devout believers and atheists- and a scale 
`could' be drawn to show relation......)

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: IQ Test Creation Question
Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 17:59:35 GMT

In article <1992Dec23.202023.1667@cbnewse.cb.att.com> gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:
>In article <92357.125328FDMWINK@UCF1VM.BITNET> <FDMWINK@UCF1VM.BITNET> writes:
>>In article <01GSL9H5I9NMADCKNQ@ccfvx3.draper.com>, skh4161@mvs.draper.com (Kjeld
>>Hvatum) says:
>>>
>>>>From: larry wink <bbs-phaedrus%jwt.uucp@surname.draper.com>
>>>>Message-ID: <DVoJuB1w164w@jwt.UUCP>
>>>>
>>>>Once full maturity is reached, long term study may well improve on the scores
>>>>achieved on tests, but will not, IMHO, result in increased intelligence.
>>>
>>>I can't argue with you - you've made your statement true by
>>>definition.
>>
>>Well, I just glad that you've _finally_ seen the light. Anything is better than
>>wasting time talking about Howard Stern.
>
>Gee, Larry, if you had posted a list of subjects you personally found
>interesting, I'm sure none of us would have wandered.
>
>GMS


Hey, Larry, I just realized I've been responding to posts about Stern
from YOU!  I guess you just couldn't resist, huh?!?!  See, I knew a
debater like you couldn't stay away from the irresistable force of an
issue, no matter how minor!

GM("Mr. Controversy")S
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: rhs@world.std.com (Richard H Schwartz)
Subject: Re: Favorite Beverages
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 15:55:32 GMT

Jolt Cola!

  (Just kidding...  Never touch the stuff.  But 
   one of us computer people had to say it :-) )

  -rich
-- 
             Richard H. Schwartz, Scheduling Systems Inc.,
            1000 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  02138
                  (617) 864 8330; FAX (617) 864 8377
                          rhs@world.std.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: apb@world.std.com (Al Beecy)
Subject: Re: Membership Decision
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 22:26:18 GMT

In article <BzoI38.2zs@news.cso.uiuc.edu> wiggins@osiris.cso.uiuc.edu (Don Wiggins) writes:

>In one of the first newsletters that I received as a new member I
>learned that there was a tremendous amount of unrest in the local
>group and eventually the locsec was removed by the RVC for generally
>being a disruptive influence.  The battles between two major factions
>in the local group were described in detail in the newsletter during
>that period, which is the main reason why I never really got into the
>habit of attending meetings in the first place.

Stuff like that has NO PLACE in newsletters. The RVC stopped too soon --
he should have removed the editor too.

>The local chapter appeared to be struggling through one or two more
>power struggles after that and eventually most of the meetings were
>held in another city.  I believe that some meetings may still be held
>locally every now and then, but I'm not sure.

If you're refering to calendar activities, those are hosted by individual
members (that means you) -- not necessarily the chaptr itself. The best
way to get events that you like near where you live is to host them yourself.


>The annual membership fee is a definite turn-off.  For the most part

How much would you consider reasonable (just curious)?


>During the past year or so, however, I just haven't found much in the
>magazine that appeals to me.  Several weeks ago I posted a note in this
>group expressing my irritation with the anti-Bush/anti-Perot cartoons
>that appeared in one issue, and wondered whether the editors would
>balance that out with an anti-Clinton cartoon sometime before the
>election.  Someone posted a response that they (MENSA) can only publish
>what they receive, which was a pretty weak argument.  The organization

As an editor, I can assure you that that is NOT a weak argument -- it's
impossible to publish what you don't have. What an editor receives will
not always seem balanced -- especially in any one or two issues. If you
see something in a publication that seems slanted, the best way to balance
it is to SEND something in. 


>Finally, my leaving is based more on apathy than anything else.  I just
>can't think of a good reason to stay. I've drawn some comfort in the
>past from knowing that I belonged to a group that can do one thing
>better than 98% of the general population.  While that realization has
>probably helped me get through some momentary setbacks, it's not
>enough to keep me around any longer.

For me, being "better than 98% of the general population" at something
isn't what Mensa's about. It's the people that make it worth renewing each
year. If that's all you get out of Mensa, I don't find it surprising that
you feel it isn't worth the money. You might find it worth your while to
go to a few activities and get a better idea what the "real Mensa" has to
offer before your membership expires.



Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: Howard Stern
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 19:17:39 GMT

In article <BzM3sF.MA1@cantua.canterbury.ac.nz> chisnall@cosc.canterbury.ac.nz (The Technicolour Throw-up) writes:
>From article <1992Dec20.194915.17148@ncsu.edu>, by cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA):
>> Don't know why I'm doing this.. Maybe in hopes of a change of scenery?
>> Anyway, the Howard Stern (sp?) issue appeared to merit a lot of time on

Right "sp".  What was the issue?  Was it something to do with Mensa?
Or the freedom of speech thing and his FCC fine?

>> 'Nightline' and even a mention on David Brinkley. If anyone has sides to
>> take or analyses to present, lets hear from you?
>
>What does this have to do with mensa or IQ's?  What's wrong with using
>alt.fan.howard-stern?  (remember that r.o.m goes around the world, and most

Nothing.  But we've discussed other things on this group that weren't
related to Mensa or IQs.  Seems to me that discussion of Mensa and IQs 
was a sort of necessary "birthing" topic(s) and that we may be ripe for
talking about other things entertaining.  I think endless debate of the
validity of IQ, while initially entertaining, is past stale right now,
except of course, for those who are new to the group.  Also, I have no
problem with discussing things that don't go around the world.  If 
a topic comes up that only Europeans are familiar with, for instance, that
might pique my curiosity, and I might want to be informed.

As a side note, I notice that Stern, on the times I've heard him, seems
to use IQ as a measure of intelligence much more than others do.  Is
this a New York thing?  Or is the rest of the world really in awe of those
with an abundance of "points"?  Maybe that's why so many are insecure about
it, or sick of hearing about it?

I heard Chet Coppock (have no idea of the "sp") (a sports commentator)
make a reference to a "dumb jock" having "no better than a 5th grade IQ".
Got a smile out of that.
>nonamericans have never heard of him - unless they've read the a.f.h FAQ)
>
>> We really need a new thread.
>
>why?  I don't recall seeing anything in the charter for this group saying
>that it always had to be chock full of interesting things (let alone over
>xmas).

Right.  No law anything or anyone has to be entertaining.  Just a 
personal preference.
>
>--
>Just my two rubber ningis worth.
>Name: Michael Chisnall  (chisnall@cosc.canterbury.ac.nz)
>I'm not a .signature virus and nor do I play one on tv.

I appraise it at 3.5 rubber ningis at least.

GMS


Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: gsmlrn@gsm001.mendelson.com (Geoffrey S. Mendelson)
Subject: Re: HELP: history of Nikkormat FS (not FTn, FT, EL, etc)
Organization: Mendelson.com
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 03:05:04 GMT

In article <1992Dec21.141307.1@cc.helsinki.fi> mlindholm@cc.helsinki.fi writes:

>Which was the best camera in the Nikkormat series?

The FT-3. It had the superb mechaincal shutter of the Nikormat series
(made by COPAL, btw) and AI coupling. It also had a much more robust
metering strip than the earlier models. 

The other contemporary Nikormats, the EL, and later the EL2 had integrated
circuits most of whom have died of old age and poor quality.

IMHO the FM (and FM2, FM2n) are nice, but the don't have the same solid
feel.

Geoff.


-- 
Geoffrey S. Mendelson 
(215) 242-8712
gsm@mendelson.com     or uunet!gsm001!gsm
Xref: sparky rec.photo:22816 ba.general:5446
From: luis@outland.wpd.sgi.com (Luis Oleson)
Newsgroups: rec.photo,ba.general,sgi.general
Subject: Re: Where to process my color negative film
Date: 31 Dec 92 19:53:55 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.  Mountain View, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: outland.wpd.sgi.com


I second Pam's warning about Film to Frame.  I once gave them 3 rolls of
color print film to process and print.  I was very disappointed with the
results. 

When I lived in Santa Cruz I used Bay Photo Lab.  They were fast,
reasonably priced, and the quality was good, but alas...

There are two places on this side of the hill that were recommended to me
by a pro. In Willow Glen on Lincoln there's Castle Lab, (408) 993-1224. 
The charge about $14 to process and print (3.5 x 5) a 36 exposure roll
of 135 color film and they'll want 3 to 4 days to do it.  I don't know
what the numbers are for color negative film.

On Walsh in Santa Clara there is Capitol Color Lab, (408) 727-7560.  I
think they may be a bit cheaper and a bit faster than Castle but I'm not
sure.  I've also heard that since the father retired and the sons have
taken over, the quality of service has dropped.

There's always Keeble & Shuchat on California in Palo Alto.  I think
they do 1 hour processing.  I've heard people moan about this place
(they don't use Kodak paper you know) but I've been happy with their
work.

L
Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: acs@csri.toronto.edu (Alvin Chia-Hua Shih)
Subject: Re: Canon Elan - leave leader out?
Date: 29 Dec 92 19:50:30 GMT

In <20614@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu> auyeung@toadflax.cs.ucdavis.edu (Tak [UlTech] AuYeung) writes:

>In article <1992Dec29.090517.12765@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu> acs@csri.toronto.edu (Alvin Chia-Hua Shih) writes:
>>In <92364.114510MPOISSON@ESOC.BITNET> <MPOISSON@ESOC.BITNET> writes:
>>
>>[...]
>>
>>Ultimately, the manufacturer out to make more money than the next guy.
>>If it finds that it can make more by forcing buyers to move "upscale"
>>what can one do?
>>
>>ACS

>How about making fully programmable camera bodies?  I work at a
>real-time controler company, and the idea of programming a camera body
>looks pretty appealing.  I imagine (dream) one can get the bottons,
>dials, photosensors, focusing aides as inputs, and control the shutter
>speed, aperture, film winding and even the flash as outputs.  A
>wireless remote serial link can serve as the interface.  

Actually, since you have a 630, you could do some of this with the
"Technical Back E", but it was really designed for the 620 and 650
which didn't have flash exposure compensation.  (Sigh.)

I do believe it allowed you to enter your own program curves.(!)
(Probably based on EV values from the evaluative meter though.  I doubt
you'd be able to access each metering segment individually.  If anyone
knows more about this, I'd be interested to hear about it.)

The Technical Back E had a special interface to a keyboard unit so you
could enter notes to be written onto the bottom of the frame.  Another
add-on was an RS-232 serial unit to a PC, just as you suggest.

>Not entirely impossible, but the camera makers would probably lose
>profit or make this kind of camera extremely expensive...

You hit it right on the nose!  If you've seen mail-order prices for the
Technical Back E, you'll notice *used* ones going for $400 or more!
The other factors are R&D costs for simply providing the software
tools, and possible exposure of "trade secret" information.

However, some will note that the time you spend reprogramming your
camera could be better spent on learning composition and lighting.
Those aspects, and not the camera, make the difference between a
snapshot and a photograph.

>--Tak

ACS
-- 
 ___ ___ ___ ______________________________________________________________
|   |   | __|"The Nikon lens owners are more gratingly smug, while the     |
| - | --|__ | Canon lens owners are more verbally abusive." - Tony Arnerich|
|_|_|___|___|______________________________________________________________|
Alvin_C._Shih____________________acs@csri.utoronto.ca______________________|

Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: micki@netcom.com (Michelle Stone)
Subject: Re: Backpacking gear for photofilos
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 07:42:35 GMT

ehr@ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Ernest H. Robl) writes:

>In article <1992Dec22.195706.18102@netcom.com>, micki@netcom.com (Michelle Stone) writes:
>> Why is it that no one makes a backpacking system (case and or
>> backpack) worth a hoot for people who carry not only camera
>> gear but camping gear?  I am getting tired of taking off 

Stuff about the Lowe bags <most deleted>

>Both sides of the pack have webbing onto which you can also lash
>or clip a variety of other gear, including add-on pockets for 
>extra personal gear.

Yes.  Lowe makes some fine stuff if you are out for a day.  I go
out for as much as two weeks.  I carry a tent, bag, cooking gear, stove, water
purification equipment, clothing for all weather conditions.......
Two camera bodies, two tripods, 3 lenses, extension tubes....
You get the picture.  I hate walking along, finding a great shot
and blowing 20 minutes unpacking and packing it all up again.

Mayby Lowe could design something to mate with their real back
packing gear so that is accessable and carries well.

Michelle

-- 
micki@netcom.com

By the way.  I find myself to be a recent addition to the 
unemployment statistic.  I am a software manager.  If  you know
of an opportunity, please let me know!

Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: jchen@wind.bellcore.com (Jason Chen)
Subject: Re: EOS battery use - Some hard numbers
Reply-To: jchen@wind.bellcore.com (Jason Chen)
Organization: Bellcore, Morristown, NJ
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 92 03:04:22 GMT

Thanks for Bob's excellent analysis.

It seems that Canon's claim of 150 24-exp roll per battery for 630 is
rather creditable. This number is under a best case scenario where the
the shutter is released the moment the correct focus is reached. 

If shutter is released 6 seconds after obtaining the correct focus (right
before circuits shuts off), the number drops to 75 rolls.

Jason Chen 
Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: levay@stsci.edu (Zoltan Levay)
Subject: Re: Photo CD
Originator: levay@lithops.stsci.edu
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 19:00:57 GMT


In article <92359.180329I18BC@CUNYVM.BITNET>, CUNY/Spartacus <I18BC@CUNYVM.BITNET> writes:
|> Honestly, I can understand the concern over resolution, but not this
|> long term storage debate.  No one ever said to burn your negatives.

Except maybe Brett Weston.  :-)
-- 

  						Zolt
  						levay@stsci.edu
Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: siegela@deshaw.com (Andrew Siegel)
Subject: Re: Mystic Color Lab
Organization: D. E. Shaw & Co.
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 16:14:30 GMT

In article <C04o4t.DLL@cs.uiuc.edu> hasker@cs.uiuc.edu (Rob Hasker) writes:
>Has anyone tried out this lab?  They sent me a "special introductory offer"
>last week and I was wondering if I should bite.

I've used them for years.  Sent them maybe 60-80 rolls.  They do great work,
never lost anything.  If you underpay, they'll let you owe it to them
rather than hold up your prints.  They are fast and convenient, but pricier
than some.

-- 
Andrew Siegel			D. E. Shaw & Co., New York, NY
siegela@deshaw.com		(212)478-0000
From: mssmith@afterlife.ncsc.mil (M. Scott Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Photographing people; need permission?
Date: 3 Jan 93 17:15:58 GMT
Organization: The Great Beyond

Hmm..  Thanks for all the useful information so far.

I'm a little confused on what would be considered "journalistic."  (And from
what someone said, I guess this is generally a gray area for everyone.)  Does
this apply only to newspapers?  How about magazines like U.S. News and
World Report?

Or what of a tourist book for Chicago or something?

Having written for my school newspaper for awhile, I could probably turn any
piece of writing into a "journalistic" style or medium.

And..  As for getting people to sign releases, are there generic releases
floating around somewhere?  Are they long, short?  (If they're short, could
someone please post one?)

Thanks for all the replies.

Scott
Newsgroups: rec.photo,ga.forsale,misc.forsale
From: ychen@hubcap.clemson.edu (Eric Chen)
Subject: 4 Sale: Professional Camera Bags
Organization: Clemson University, Clemson SC
Distribution: ga
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 07:02:05 GMT

1. Nikon genuine camera bag (9+): hold one body + three Nikkor lenses
mount. hard leather all the way.  Sell for $70 OBO
(w/ filters and films side pockets)

2. 35mm SLR camera bag (mint): hold one body w/lens, soft nylon tough 
body, w/flash and extention strap pockets inside, w/ filters and films
side pockets.  Sell for 35 OBO

The price I am asking is very good deal, you will not feel sorry if
you get it.  I can guarantee it, good quality and tough bags.

Eric 
(803)6548817 ychen@hubcap.clemson.edu

From: allana@hpmwtd.sr.hp.com (Allan Armstrong)
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 17:40:39 GMT
Subject: Nikkor 180 AF lens: close focusing ability?
Organization: HP Santa Rosa Site (SRSD MWTD)