Look at my postcount!

[livius drusus]

/me giggles helplessly

[xouper]

Look at my postcount!
What characters are used by the Roman Numeral translator for 5000 and above?

One common usage is a bar over the smaller numbers:

V bar means 5,000
X bar means 10,000

etc.

Or I suppose you could just make up some new character definitions and let people try to figger it out. :P

[livius drusus]

That's an excellent point, xoup. We can't very well have tens of Ms running across the screen. I like the V bar/X bar suggestion. Hey Joe, what do you think we should do?

Meanwhile, since by posting this I'll be ruining the cuteness I point to in my OP, here's a screencap of it:

http://www.freethought-forum.com/images/mmmmliv.jpg

[xouper]

What would be rilly rilly impressive would be when you get to this post count:

MMMMDICK

[xouper]

What would be rilly rilly impressive would be when you get to this post count:

MMMMDICK
oops, did I actually say that out-loud? :runaway:

[livius drusus]

/me dissolves into helpless giggles again.

[Petra]

Right now it says MMMMLIX


Makes me think of lollypops]!

:lolly: :lickpole:

[Ymir's blood]

http://www.freethought-forum.com/images/mmmmliv.jpg
Kinky! :wink:

[Shake]

Yeah but just a few after that would've been MMMMLIX :wink:

[Shake]

Pretty soon I'll be at CCCXXX!

[JoeP]

MMMMLIVLIX!

To the point, the roman numeral conversion currently doesn't have any support for 5000. It will show up as MMMMM. 15,000 will show up as MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. This will get ridiculous. But I want to see post MMMMM before bothering about it. (The technical problem is displaying V-bar: I think it'll require in-line styles and I don't know if all browsers will cope.)

[Shake]

It'll be a good while before I'm at M-<anything>!

Also, instead of MCMLXXXXV (1995), couldn't they just have used MVM? And similarly MXM for 1990? I suppose the other method was used more for consistency.

Ooh! I just realized that MD = MDM and likewise, CL = CLC

[ceptimus]

Why not just choose your own letters for 5,000, 10,000 etc.?

You could just work through the alphabet, using the letters that aren't already in use:

A = 5000
B = 10000
E = 50000

...and so on.

[xouper]

Also, instead of MCMLXXXXV (1995), couldn't they just have used MVM? And similarly MXM for 1990?
That's a commonly asked question. And a good one.

While stuff like that has been seen on rare occasions, the usual rule is not to subtract numbers that are smaller order of magnitude. That is to say, there are three groups of magnitude:

I, V, X


X, L, C


C, D, M
And the usual rule is: do not subtract by numbers from another group.


Ooh! I just realized that MD = MDM and likewise, CL = CLC
As you observed, it is redundant to subtract V, L, or D, which is why it's not usually done.


More here:
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.roman.html#basics

[xouper]

Why not just choose your own letters for 5,000, 10,000 etc.?
When I offered the same suggestion earlier in this thread, I had in mind the following:

F for Five thousand
T for Ten thousand
B for Billion
etc

But it really doesn't matter, I suspect, since regardless what is used, it wouldn't be standard.

[xouper]

Another option might be to switch to Mayan numbers at 5000 and above. Unlike the Romans, the Maya used a positional notation, but in base 20.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_numerals

[JoeP]

As a matter of interest, we are not going to implement Mayan numerals!

:control: :rhinoceros: :qno:
:control: :gatto: :qno: :copno: :qno:

:nojustno:

[ceptimus]

...or you could make the postcounts wrap back to 0 after 4999.

Hmmm... Use two groups of Roman numerals to show the number of cycles.


$remainder = $postcount % 5000;
$cycles = ($postcount - $remainder) / 5000;

if ($cycles)
printf("%s : ", roman($cycles));

if ($remainder)
printf("%s", roman($remainder));


That way, Liv's 5000th post would look like I :
and her 5001st would be I : I

This system would cater for postcounts up to 24,999,999 without using any extra letters, and should therefore last for at least a year, even for Liv. :P

[HelenM]

here's a screencap of it:

http://www.freethought-forum.com/images/mmmmliv.jpg

:giggle:

[livius drusus]

I never thought I'd see the day when my posting rate would necessitate the invention of a new counting system. As it is I'm less than 300 posts away from surpassing my IIDB count, and I've been registered there since September of 2000.

I can't help but feel a little cheap and tawdry about it, truth be told (no smartass comments from the peanut gallery :whup: ), but since it looks like it might well result in the coolest post counting system in the whole wide internet, I'll wear my post slut crown with pride.

[xouper]

As a matter of interest, we are not going to implement Mayan numerals!

:control: :rhinoceros: :qno:
:control: :gatto: :qno: :copno: :qno:

:nojustno:
A simple "no" would have sufficed.

I guess I'll just keep my forum suggestions to myself from now on.

[Shake]

Also, instead of MCMLXXXXV (1995), couldn't they just have used MVM? And similarly MXM for 1990?
That's a commonly asked question. And a good one.

While stuff like that has been seen on rare occasions, the usual rule is not to subtract numbers that are smaller order of magnitude. That is to say, there are three groups of magnitude:

I, V, X


X, L, C


C, D, M
And the usual rule is: do not subtract by numbers from another group.


Ooh! I just realized that MD = MDM and likewise, CL = CLC
As you observed, it is redundant to subtract V, L, or D, which is why it's not usually done.


More here:
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.roman.html#basics
Thanks for the clarification, xouper! I guess in my mind it was more about efficiency than orders of magnitude.

[livius drusus]

A simple "no" would have sufficed.

I guess I'll just keep my forum suggestions to myself from now on.

That was a little love note to me, xoup -- notice the hovertext on the mind control smiley -- because I keep wheedling new, ever more complex code out of Joe. I understand very well why you might be sensitive to that kind of tone, but you can safely assume humor is at the root of any such comments here. :yup:

[JoeP]

A simple "no" would have sufficed.

I guess I'll just keep my forum suggestions to myself from now on.
Sorry xouper! Liv has already explained the correct interpretation - this was a pre-emptive "no bloody way your 'ighness" because she has (on occasion, once in while) taken an off-the-wall idea from someone and turned it into a must-do-anything-liv-wants-or-off-to-bed-and-no-new-smilies-for-you commandment. Sorry for any hurt if it seemed directed at you!

[maddog]

As a matter of interest, we are not going to implement Mayan numerals!

:control: :rhinoceros: :qno:
:control: :gatto: :qno: :copno: :qno:

:nojustno:
A simple "no" would have sufficed.

I guess I'll just keep my forum suggestions to myself from now on.
I thought xoup was just being funny.
#172

[JoeP]

As a matter of interest, we are not going to implement Mayan numerals!

:control: :rhinoceros: :qno:
:control: :gatto: :qno: :copno: :qno:

:nojustno:
A simple "no" would have sufficed.

I guess I'll just keep my forum suggestions to myself from now on.
I thought xoup was just being funny.
#172
:tongueincheek:

[HelenM]

I never thought I'd see the day when my posting rate would necessitate the invention of a new counting system. As it is I'm less than 300 posts away from surpassing my IIDB count, and I've been registered there since September of 2000.

I can't help but feel a little cheap and tawdry about it, truth be told (no smartass comments from the peanut gallery :whup: ), but since it looks like it might well result in the coolest post counting system in the whole wide internet, I'll wear my post slut crown with pride.

...but they say the end doesn't justify the means...

Helen

[livius drusus]

Oh that's just cold, Helen. Sad banana cold. :sadnana:

[HelenM]

heh heh :stirpot:

Helen

[JoeP]

I never thought I'd see the day when my posting rate would necessitate the invention of a new counting system. As it is I'm less than 300 posts away from surpassing my IIDB count, and I've been registered there since September of 2000.

I can't help but feel a little cheap and tawdry about it, truth be told (no smartass comments from the peanut gallery :whup: ), but since it looks like it might well result in the coolest post counting system in the whole wide internet, I'll wear my post slut crown with pride.

...but they say the end doesn't justify the means...

Helen
Harsh, Helen, but fair.

[xouper]

That was a little love note to me, xoup -- notice the hovertext on the mind control smiley -- because I keep wheedling new, ever more complex code out of Joe. I understand very well why you might be sensitive to that kind of tone, but you can safely assume humor is at the root of any such comments here. :yup:
Thank you for explaining.

Sorry, Joe.

[JoeP]

That's an excellent point, xoup. We can't very well have tens of Ms running across the screen. I like the V bar/X bar suggestion. Hey Joe, what do you think we should do?

:cough: test board :cough:

[livius drusus]

Oh, Joe... She's ever so pretty. As much as I dig the idea of creating our own special numbering system, I'm also anal enough to adore sticking with convention, particularly since this one is rather easy to grasp: bar = multiply by 1000.

:wriggle:

[livius drusus]

Just out of curiosity because it's not likely to be an issue here even taking into account my prolixity, how do you write 5,000,000 in the Roman numeral bar notation? One million is M bar, but would it be V bar bar or MMMMM bar or ...? :scratch:

[xouper]

... how do you write 5,000,000 in the Roman numeral bar notation?
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/RomanNumerals.html

[livius drusus]

Sweet Jesu, look at that partial frame. :pant: Don't worry, Joe. I won't make you do that.



Yet.

[JoeP]

The 'bar' convention, I think, allows two bars to mean multiplying by 1,000,000. And so on.

[JoeP]

... how do you write 5,000,000 in the Roman numeral bar notation?
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/RomanNumerals.html
That article is clearly a spoof, as evidenced by its referring to an article (Cajori 19993, p. 32) that will not be written for 17,988 years.

However, having checked other sources I have to agree that the partial-frame/overbar-and-sidebars means multiplying by 100,000.

[livius drusus]

:giggles:

[JoeP]

In any case, Florian Cajori died in 1930.

I have found a Greek notation in one of his books which would be possible to reproduce with html symbols. But are we *ahem* you, admin, interested in totally obscure numeric forms? At least the roman numerals are recognisable to everyone because of being used in books and films.

[livius drusus]

In any case, Florian Cajori died in 1930.

But not before inventing time travel, so that's good at least.

I have found a Greek notation in one of his books which would be possible to reproduce with html symbols. But are we *ahem* you, admin, interested in totally obscure numeric forms? At least the roman numerals are recognisable to everyone because of being used in books and films.

Well, you know I'm a total romanophile so it's all about the roman numerals for me. Besides, they fit the style perfectly.

[Ymir's blood]

The style makes me think Egyptian more than Roman. Sandy stone, the palm leaves on the top. :pharaoh2: :wmummy:

[livius drusus]

That's grass in the ruins, rat fink. :glare:

[JoeP]

Mummy!
Mommy to Americans ... doesn't quite work does it ...

[Ymir's blood]

Grass grows upward. :chin:

[viscousmemories]

I didn't realize until trying to find this thread how many different threads we've had on the subject of Roman numerals. :eek:

Anyway I have finally succeeded in uploading the overbar code JoeP wrote for us ages ago, so seek out a post of livius' and see it in action. (Hint: V-overbar = 5000, so MV-overbar = 4000).

Thanks to xoup for the idea and JoeP for the code! :woohoo:

[livius drusus]

:bgirl:

Isn't it puuuurty? Joe, you just totally rock my world. xoup, you're a damn genius.

[TomJoe]

That article is clearly a spoof, as evidenced by its referring to an article (Cajori 19993, p. 32) that will not be written for 17,988 years.


Actually, I believe that is a typo. Throughout the rest of the article, the reference is Cajori 1993. An extra nine was inserted. That book, by Cajori, is available through Amazon dot Com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486677664/weisstein-20/103-4802022-8431023).

[livius drusus]

He's clearly a time traveler, TomJoe. Why are you trying to cover that up?

[TomJoe]

He's clearly a time traveler, TomJoe. Why are you trying to cover that up?

I cannot tell you why. All I know is, I have my orders from the Vatican.

Now repeat after me... You can buy that book from Amazon dot Com.



You can buy that book from Amazon dot Com.
You can buy that book from Amazon dot Com.
You can buy that book from Amazon dot Com.

:hypno: :hypno2:

[livius drusus]

Yes. Holy. Father. Will. Buy. Book. Holy. Father. :wmummy:

[TomJoe]

Muwahahaha! (http://hometown.aol.com/dpinstitut/RCC_Conspirators_Photo.html)

[livius drusus]

I don't see why you couldn't have used the smilies. What kind of Grandmaster of the Sacred Order of the Blood of Jesus Mary and Joseph are you anyway? I mean really. Quality control at the Holy See has really gone to hell in a handbasket.

:brain: :pinky:

[TomJoe]

I don't see why you couldn't have used the smilies. What kind of Grandmaster of the Sacred Order of the Blood of Jesus Mary and Joseph are you anyway? I mean really. Quality control at the Holy See has really gone to hell in a handbasket.

:brain: :pinky:

By visiting the website, we have now been able to download software onto your computer that will subliminally pipe Vatican authorized information across your screen. In a months time, you should be fully brainwashed and receptive to all our propaganda. That is the reason why I did not use the smilies*.

All covert Jesuit activities are carefully planned and administered. Everything is done for a reason. :cool:

*Plus, writing the captions underneath those small smilies would have been a pain in the ass

[JoeP]

You seem all happy liv, but don't you realise you have a new target: 3,999,999 posts with valid roman numerals before I have to think about the code again? That should take you a couple of months at least.

[livius drusus]

By visiting the website, we have now been able to download software onto your computer that will subliminally pipe Vatican authorized information across your screen. In a months time, you should be fully brainwashed and receptive to all our propaganda. That is the reason why I did not use the smilies.

Well sheeit... You got me there. I'll just go incinerate my stash of birth control devices and be right back for the genuflecting to idols and whatnot. :homage:

[livius drusus]

You seem all happy liv, but don't you realise you have a new target: 3,999,999 posts with valid roman numerals before I have to think about the code again? That should take you a couple of months at least.

That long? Maybe I should slow down for a while. Now that bey's back I can just let him do all the slutting.

[TomJoe]

Well sheeit... You got me there. I'll just go incinerate my stash of birth control devices and be right back for the genuflecting to idols and whatnot. :homage:

Very good. Now, don't forget to pay for several indulgences as well.

[livius drusus]

Very good. Now, don't forget to pay for several indulgences as well.
Forget?! I've been waiting to haul my black-hearted, sinning, defunct family members out of Purgatory for years. :woohoo:

[Shake]

I don't know if I should be impressed that the bar-notation has been introduced or scared that we have a user who can put that notation to use! :D

[livius drusus]

You should be pleased as punch that your fabulous idea has been so fabulously implemented. :yup:


And maybe a little scared that after 6 months I'm well past the IIDB postcount it took me 4 years to get. :egad:

[wei yau]

And maybe a little scared that after 6 months I'm well passed the IIDB postcount it took me 4 years to get. :egad:

I wouldn't be scared. Why should I? It's only natural that it takes hanging out with the best to bring out the best in you.

If were a bunch of boring, drooling troglodytes, you'd have nothing to say. Although, you might have nearly as high of a post count simply by pointing out that we're a bunch of boring, drooling troglodytes.

[TomJoe]

You should be pleased as punch that your fabulous idea has been so fabulously implemented. :yup:


And maybe a little scared that after 6 months I'm well past the IIDB postcount it took me 4 years to get. :egad:

Don't feel bad. At CF I've seen people who average 80+ posts per day. Who are in the 20,000+ post range. Now that's scary.

[seebs]

You should be pleased as punch that your fabulous idea has been so fabulously implemented. :yup:


And maybe a little scared that after 6 months I'm well past the IIDB postcount it took me 4 years to get. :egad:

Don't feel bad. At CF I've seen people who average 80+ posts per day. Who are in the 20,000+ post range. Now that's scary.

That is.

My average is around 25/day, but if you take into account vacations and wandering-off for six months at a time, I'm probably doing close to 100 posts a day when I'm around. I may make #1 again; Paulewog caught up a bit when I wandered off last, but I'm still ahead of him, and I do post a lot when I have time.

[Shake]

You should be pleased as punch that your fabulous idea has been so fabulously implemented. :yup:
Well, it is nice to see my baby growing up! :pat:

:bowing:

(Ooh! I'm X posts away from a compact disc!)

[JoeP]

I never thought I'd see the day when my posting rate would necessitate the invention of a new counting system.

Bump-quoted for implausibility.

[Leesifer]

Wow! This is definitely what you call a thread bump.

[Sock Puppet]

This thread is more than three friggin' years old. The topic has most likely become embarassing to the OP and some of the participants may be banned for being reminded of it. Please take the time to read the entire thread and ensure the bannination is worth risking. If you feel it is preferable to make a new reply to this thread rather than starting a new thread, you can still do so, and may God have mercy upon your soul.

[livius drusus]

WHAT HE SAID

:glare:

[BrotherMan]

This thread is more than three friggin' years old. The topic has most likely become embarassing to the OP and some of the participants may be banned for being reminded of it. Please take the time to read the entire thread and ensure the bannination is worth risking. If you feel it is preferable to make a new reply to this thread rather than starting a new thread, you can still do so, and may the livius (mmmmliv) have mercy upon your soul.

:fixed:

[JoeP]

Bannination? Again?

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

This thread is more than three friggin' years old. The topic has most likely become embarassing to the OP and some of the participants may be banned for being reminded of it. Please take the time to read the entire thread and ensure the bannination is worth risking. If you feel it is preferable to make a new reply to this thread rather than starting a new thread, you can still do so, and may God have mercy upon your soul.

:fail:

[Megatron]

MMMMLIV!!

[Qingdai]

Does that mean someone eats liv now?

Or is it just some really wet drooling?

[Megatron]

Does that mean someone eats liv now?
:bunnythrust:

[Ensign Steve]

You're only 90 posts away from :xbar::xbar::xbar::xbar: ... or will it be :xbar::lbar: ? Can the software handle it?

Y2K!
:freakout:

[Crumb]

P40K!
:freakout:
:fixed:

[Plant Woman]

Show off!