Reading
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David Wulff wrote: How on earth do you manage to hold an 800 page technical-sized book above your head for so long! Or do you just bend you neck at right angles and read it from the hip? About a ten pillows behind my back, neck and head and the book on my hip. It's not pretty. As for my kids, they are amazingly good. My daughter (15) reads all the time (probably 3-4 hours a day, EVERYDAY!). The boy (11) spends more time in front of his computer, but is generally pretty quite. He's actually starting to do a little programming (if you call VB programming ;P ).
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
Mike Mullikin wrote: As for my kids, they are amazingly good. My daughter (15) reads all the time (probably 3-4 hours a day, EVERYDAY!). The boy (11) spends more time in front of his computer, but is generally pretty quite. He's actually starting to do a little programming (if you call VB programming ). I am so, so sorry for you. :(( Your daughter is pregnant and your son is gay. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41 (I know I know - bad humour, but it has to be said) :laugh:
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I am of course talking about technical books we read to learn new languages/technologies. I want to know how people read to best absorb knowledge. Lying or sitting? With no-one else around? Absolute quite or music in the background? What else? I have been reading through a few old and new books of late. I have found it difficult reading through with distractions of kids and family. How do the rest of you with kids find time to read? Reading during the day is almost impossible. Evening depends on when my eldest finally gets to sleep. If I read too late in to the night I suffer the next day when awoken early by the kids. Don't know how people like Christian do it. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "He orginally got the Tweezers of Destruction through the scanners but then popped back outside for a smoke." - Chris Maunder 26/03/2002
When I was still at uni I sat in my chair but I much prefer to lay down on the couch with a movie on the boob tube in case I want to take a break. I prefer no one else around though because I have a hard time keeping my focus where I want it instead of where someone else wants it. No kids so I can't comment about that aspect of it :) James Sonork ID: 100.11138 - Hasaki "I left there in the morning with their God tucked underneath my arm their half-assed smiles and the book of rules. So I asked this God a question and by way of firm reply, He said - I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays." "Wind Up" from Aqualung, Jethro Tull 1971
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If I am learning a new language (or indeed one I already use ;)), the only way to read is infront of my computer with the appropriate compiler/IDE/etc open. I am the kind of person who needs to apply ideas as soon as I get them before they will sink in, and invariably before I can understand how and why something is done. If I am reading any other form of technical book, I usually turn to it whenever I am travelling. I find it a lot easier to settle down and concentrate when I don't have to worry about distractions like e-mail or telephone calls. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
Travelling is an excellent way to burn through pages in a book. Especially those long boring trips :) When I went to tour Michigan Tech I finished two novels; one on the way up, a second on the way down. Unfortunately my budget didn't have enough money for programming books or else I would have been reading one of them. Instead I was reading R.A. Salvatore's Crystal Shard series books 2 and 3. James Sonork ID: 100.11138 - Hasaki "I left there in the morning with their God tucked underneath my arm their half-assed smiles and the book of rules. So I asked this God a question and by way of firm reply, He said - I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays." "Wind Up" from Aqualung, Jethro Tull 1971
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When I was still at uni I sat in my chair but I much prefer to lay down on the couch with a movie on the boob tube in case I want to take a break. I prefer no one else around though because I have a hard time keeping my focus where I want it instead of where someone else wants it. No kids so I can't comment about that aspect of it :) James Sonork ID: 100.11138 - Hasaki "I left there in the morning with their God tucked underneath my arm their half-assed smiles and the book of rules. So I asked this God a question and by way of firm reply, He said - I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays." "Wind Up" from Aqualung, Jethro Tull 1971
James T. Johnson wrote: No kids so I can't comment about that aspect of it LOL Nish p.s. me too!
:love:Has anyone seen my sig?:love:
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Mike Mullikin wrote: As for my kids, they are amazingly good. My daughter (15) reads all the time (probably 3-4 hours a day, EVERYDAY!). The boy (11) spends more time in front of his computer, but is generally pretty quite. He's actually starting to do a little programming (if you call VB programming ). I am so, so sorry for you. :(( Your daughter is pregnant and your son is gay. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41 (I know I know - bad humour, but it has to be said) :laugh:
David Wulff wrote: I am so, so sorry for you. Your daughter is pregnant and your son is gay. ROTFLMAO, getting up and then again ROTFLMAO Nish
:love:Has anyone seen my sig?:love:
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I am of course talking about technical books we read to learn new languages/technologies. I want to know how people read to best absorb knowledge. Lying or sitting? With no-one else around? Absolute quite or music in the background? What else? I have been reading through a few old and new books of late. I have found it difficult reading through with distractions of kids and family. How do the rest of you with kids find time to read? Reading during the day is almost impossible. Evening depends on when my eldest finally gets to sleep. If I read too late in to the night I suffer the next day when awoken early by the kids. Don't know how people like Christian do it. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "He orginally got the Tweezers of Destruction through the scanners but then popped back outside for a smoke." - Chris Maunder 26/03/2002
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Michael Martin wrote: I want to know how people read to best absorb knowledge. Alone and with a book. :-)
Good choice.
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Mike Mullikin wrote: As for my kids, they are amazingly good. My daughter (15) reads all the time (probably 3-4 hours a day, EVERYDAY!). The boy (11) spends more time in front of his computer, but is generally pretty quite. He's actually starting to do a little programming (if you call VB programming ). I am so, so sorry for you. :(( Your daughter is pregnant and your son is gay. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41 (I know I know - bad humour, but it has to be said) :laugh:
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David Wulff wrote: Your daughter is pregnant and your son is gay. I fail to see the humour. :(
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
Let me spell it out for you... My daughter (15) reads all the time (probably 3-4 hours a day, EVERYDAY!). Your daughter is pregnant. He's actually starting to do a little programming (if you call VB programming) Your son is gay. If you still can't see it, then it is obviously the good old American lack-of-a-sense-of-humour kicking in. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
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Let me spell it out for you... My daughter (15) reads all the time (probably 3-4 hours a day, EVERYDAY!). Your daughter is pregnant. He's actually starting to do a little programming (if you call VB programming) Your son is gay. If you still can't see it, then it is obviously the good old American lack-of-a-sense-of-humour kicking in. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
David Wulff wrote: If you still can't see it, then it is obviously the good old American lack-of-a-sense-of-humour kicking in. Sorry, I still don't see it. Maybe you're just not very funny. ;P
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
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David Wulff wrote: If you still can't see it, then it is obviously the good old American lack-of-a-sense-of-humour kicking in. Sorry, I still don't see it. Maybe you're just not very funny. ;P
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
Well the total currently stands at 2 for, 1 against, so it guess it isn't me... ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
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David Wulff wrote: Your daughter is pregnant and your son is gay. I fail to see the humour. :(
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
Mike Mullikin wrote: I fail to see the humour. Dave's strong old fashioned british humor can be quite hard sometimes Mike. nish
:love:Has anyone seen my sig?:love:
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Good choice.
Roger Wright wrote: Good choice. Yeah, specially the book. Nish
:love:Has anyone seen my sig?:love:
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Well the total currently stands at 2 for, 1 against, so it guess it isn't me... ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
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David Wulff wrote: Well the total currently stands at 2 for, 1 against, so it guess it isn't me... A sampling of 3 is hardly statistically accurate. If we can get 10-20 votes...?
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
Mike Mullikin wrote: If we can get 10-20 votes...? The last time this happened was with Martin, and in the end he suggested exactly the same thing you just did - take it to the masses, so to speak. And do you know what - every single person agreed with me, and even if I don't get one hundred per cent now, I beg to argue that the majority will find it funny. However, you are welcome to try by all means if you are feeling lucky. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
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Mike Mullikin wrote: If we can get 10-20 votes...? The last time this happened was with Martin, and in the end he suggested exactly the same thing you just did - take it to the masses, so to speak. And do you know what - every single person agreed with me, and even if I don't get one hundred per cent now, I beg to argue that the majority will find it funny. However, you are welcome to try by all means if you are feeling lucky. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
Well then, instead of a poll maybe you can explain how insulting my children (whom you've never met) and thusly insulting me (whom you've never met) in response to my saying that one reads a lot and the other is a budding programmer is even remotely funny. It's not ironic, it's not satirical, it's not a rhyme, it's not a pun, it's not a stereotypical joke or even an ethnic joke. Explain EXACTLY what was humorous about it, because to me it nothing more than sophomoric insults.
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
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Well then, instead of a poll maybe you can explain how insulting my children (whom you've never met) and thusly insulting me (whom you've never met) in response to my saying that one reads a lot and the other is a budding programmer is even remotely funny. It's not ironic, it's not satirical, it's not a rhyme, it's not a pun, it's not a stereotypical joke or even an ethnic joke. Explain EXACTLY what was humorous about it, because to me it nothing more than sophomoric insults.
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.
With no insult intended, where you brought up in a ghetto, blind deaf mute and dumb? :confused: If you have a fifteen year old daughter who is doing something you approve of, it is highly unusual. Therefore the logical conclusion is that she either wants something, or has done something else she knows you will disaprove of. The humourous conclusion (and I must add that I am not the only person to have drawn this from your original text) is that she is pregnant - being a fifteen year old girl in today's society this is not impossible; especially in America*. (* we've all seen the films) Your boy is leanring VB, which as the humour passed around daily on this very site will tell you is not a real mans language; therefore your son is not a real man; therefore your son is gay. Now if, despite explanations, you still cannot see those two conclusions, then you really need to get out more and experience real life. You may not like it, but then at least you could learn to accept it for what it is. At no time in any of my posts have I insulted your offspring or yourself. You see, when I clearly state it as satirical humour, I will not sit here and take abuse for it because someone refuses to get off of their high-horse for long enough to understand the words. And in case you are wondering, yes, I have had a stressful day. If you wish to continue this I advise you to either move it to the unmoderated forum or else contact me privately, 'cause I'm not sure how long I can keep this tripe civil. Good night. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
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I am of course talking about technical books we read to learn new languages/technologies. I want to know how people read to best absorb knowledge. Lying or sitting? With no-one else around? Absolute quite or music in the background? What else? I have been reading through a few old and new books of late. I have found it difficult reading through with distractions of kids and family. How do the rest of you with kids find time to read? Reading during the day is almost impossible. Evening depends on when my eldest finally gets to sleep. If I read too late in to the night I suffer the next day when awoken early by the kids. Don't know how people like Christian do it. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "He orginally got the Tweezers of Destruction through the scanners but then popped back outside for a smoke." - Chris Maunder 26/03/2002
Sitting - if I lay down, I'll fall asleep and drool all over the book. :) Definitely with no one else around. Otherwise, I'll end up talking instead of reading. Absolute quiet (well, as close as possible). I'm one of the unlucky people who can't concentrate while listening to music. I also usually have to re-read things in order to absorb everything. I guess that means I'm not a genius. ;-) Jon Sagara There is no spoon. Best Miniputt score: 21
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Sitting - if I lay down, I'll fall asleep and drool all over the book. :) Definitely with no one else around. Otherwise, I'll end up talking instead of reading. Absolute quiet (well, as close as possible). I'm one of the unlucky people who can't concentrate while listening to music. I also usually have to re-read things in order to absorb everything. I guess that means I'm not a genius. ;-) Jon Sagara There is no spoon. Best Miniputt score: 21
Jon Sagara wrote: Sitting - if I lay down, I'll fall asleep and drool all over the book. :) I have been finding lately that my back, necj and traps become stiff when reading while sitting down. While not drooling on my books I find it uncomfortable/tiring holding the book up over my chest to read. When I rest the book on my chest my neck gets sore from tilting my head at an arkward angle. Jon Sagara wrote: Definitely with no one else around. Otherwise, I'll end up talking instead of reading. I don't talk, but find now that I can't block them out and concentrate on my own stuff like I used too. Jon Sagara wrote: Absolute quiet (well, as close as possible). I'm one of the unlucky people who can't concentrate while listening to music. I have been having this problem for the last couple of years. This might be age (though not in your case) or the fact I have other stuff on my mind. Family, finances, career, shit etc. Jon Sagara wrote: I also usually have to re-read things in order to absorb everything. I guess that means I'm not a genius. ;) Me too. Though I think that this would be the case for a lot of geniuses anyway. Most seem to be brilliant in one area, if they are learning something different I reckon they would have to work harder than with their pet area. -------------------- I find that I used to be able to read very fast when I was at school and also absorc information at a ridiculous rate. I was still able to do this for the first several years out of school. Then I just seemed to slow down, in stories I would seem to read slow enough to be reading the story out loud to understand it. Previously I just read. Recently I have thought about speed reading, even bought a book about it. Half way through and it hasn't clicked and it is now in the corner. Will have to pick it up again soon as having no job this is probably the best time to try and get it. No other distractions, from work at least. Weirdest thing is with looking for work and not getting away from the family (like I did for work) seems to take up all the time available. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "He orginally got the Tweezers of Destruction through the scanners but then popped back outside for a smoke." - Chris Maunder 26/03/2002
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With no insult intended, where you brought up in a ghetto, blind deaf mute and dumb? :confused: If you have a fifteen year old daughter who is doing something you approve of, it is highly unusual. Therefore the logical conclusion is that she either wants something, or has done something else she knows you will disaprove of. The humourous conclusion (and I must add that I am not the only person to have drawn this from your original text) is that she is pregnant - being a fifteen year old girl in today's society this is not impossible; especially in America*. (* we've all seen the films) Your boy is leanring VB, which as the humour passed around daily on this very site will tell you is not a real mans language; therefore your son is not a real man; therefore your son is gay. Now if, despite explanations, you still cannot see those two conclusions, then you really need to get out more and experience real life. You may not like it, but then at least you could learn to accept it for what it is. At no time in any of my posts have I insulted your offspring or yourself. You see, when I clearly state it as satirical humour, I will not sit here and take abuse for it because someone refuses to get off of their high-horse for long enough to understand the words. And in case you are wondering, yes, I have had a stressful day. If you wish to continue this I advise you to either move it to the unmoderated forum or else contact me privately, 'cause I'm not sure how long I can keep this tripe civil. Good night. ____________________ David Wulff The seas have parted The endings started The sky has turned to black A killing spree through eternity The devil stabs you in the back It's midnight now you must escape somehow Torture is his leisure Don't try to hide he'll make you subside As he exchanges pain for pleasure - Sum 41
David Wulff wrote: Now if, despite explanations, you still cannot see those two conclusions, then you really need to get out more and experience real life. A teen-ager who probably still lives with his parents telling me to get out more to experience "real life" so as to better understand his juvenile humour... ...now that's funny!!!!!!! (No insult intended)
Mike Mullikin If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing.