[sdiy] Wave terrain synthesis (was Re: Generatingacyclicwaveforms?)

[David G. Dixon]

> To understand the definition of voltage you brought up in that link
> you need to understand the word 'average'. To understand this you need
> to understand statistics, and in turn integrals, and in turn calculus,
> and in turn linear algebra. If you don't, then your knowledge of
> 'volts' as you like to call the concept is shallow, and you benefit as
> much from it as a cow chewing on grass benefits from botanics. That's
> why I thought mathematics is likely to be known here, because it's a
> basic ground for most of the knowledge being thrown about on this
> list; that, and most EEs are forced through a year of calculus before
> they're allowed anywhere near to an electronics book. For good reason,
> it's very useful and gives you completely new ways to look at your
> work.

This paragraph is complete bollocks.  But don't listen to me; I think this
quote from Horowitz and Hill, "The Art of Electronics", 1st edn., Preface,
page xviii, sums it up pretty well:

"The use of largely nonmathematical circuit design techniques does not
result in circuits that cut corners or compromise performance or
reliability.  On the contrary, such techniques enhance one's understanding
of the real choices and compromises faced in engineering a circuit, and
represent the best approach to good circuit design."

> It's standard TeX notation for multiple subscripts and means "C with
> subscript 1,x" which in turn signifies the x coordinate of the vector
> "C with subscript 1". TeX and LaTeX notation for mathematics are
> always used in ascii-based communication. You should know at least a
> minimum about mathematical notation in technical papers, having
> published those umpteens of scientific papers that you so like to
> mention. If you did not understand mathematical notation, which mind
> you DOES change from university to university, it's enough to ask,
> instead of assuming the other end of the conversation is an idiot. But
> I see for the last several days you have had a bad mood and post to
> stir things up and generally put people down, I suggest chilling out a
> little Ian.

That does tends to happen when one begins to sense that a topic has devolved
into just another excuse for someone to show off how brilliant they are.