Posting Wrong Stuff (was Re: [Algorithms] 3d Lines Intersection)

[Jim O. <j.o...@in...>]

Ron,

> > (I am not a math guy...),
>
> Which is no license to post wrong stuff..

Nope.

BUT one of my reasons for posting my algorithm is that there is bound to be
a math guy like you who will open my eyes and tell me I am wrong - hence
turning this into a learning experience for myself. And, of course, there is
always a slight chance that what I post is *nearly* right and some other
clever guy on the list (of which there are quite a few) comes up with a fix
which makes the algorithm right in all cases...

In any case, I *never* post something if I know before hand that what I will
be posting is wrong. In this particular case, the faulty algorithm produced
quite convincing results when I used it (quite a while ago) - however,
looking back, the situation you used to sketch the flaws in the algorithm
never occured while I was using the algorithm. Sadly, if a flawed algorithm
works for you, it can lead you to believe that it might be correct after
all.

I contribute to this list in order to help people (and whether believe it or
not, if my post is the first in a chain of posts which will uncover a fault
in some algorithm, this also helps people to avoid my mistakes) and not to
be flamed. In the end, Ron, you have received the seemingly unwanted supreme
authority when math are concerned, and have a considerable respect for your
extensive knowledge of the area.

However, I will challenge thy knowledge when I see fit, for I learn from my
mistakes.

Having said that, can we kiss 'n make up and get on with the regular
discussion of this list?

Thanks,

Jim Offerman

Innovade
- designing the designer