Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!purdue!bu-cs!encore!cloud9!cme
From: cme@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Carl Ellison)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Tangents to Three Circles (***FLAME***)
Summary: insulting?  you bet!
Message-ID: <7159@cloud9.Stratus.COM>
Date: 18 Aug 89 14:06:56 GMT
References: <859@mrsvr.UUCP>  <890@mrsvr.UUCP>
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., Marlboro, MA
Lines: 42

In article <890@mrsvr.UUCP>, hallett@shoreland.uucp (Jeff Hallett x4-6328) writes:
> In article  beshers@cs.cs.columbia.edu (Clifford Beshers) writes:
> >In article <859@mrsvr.UUCP> hallett@mrsvr.UUCP (Jeff Hallett) writes:
> > >I realize that,
> > >as specified, there are upto 6 possible solutions, but there is
> > >always one.
> >What about the case where
> >a, b and c share the same center, but each has a radius different
> >from the other.
> Ok, so perhaps I was too
> hasty in stating that there is always a solution.
> [ . . . ]
> Rather than critquing the problem, how about a solution which either
> finds the tangential circles or determines that there is no such
> circle?
> [ . . . ]
> Apologies if this sounds needlessly harsh, but I find this type of
> posting very insulting.  It does not help me in my predicament in the
> least and only makes me feel worse for being unable to solve it in the
> first place.

What do you think this newsgroup is, anyway?  ...a private, free pool of
expertise to solve your work problems for you?

I've got a suggestion.  Why don't you solve the problem yourself
and post your solution?

Meanwhile, the practice of providing a counter-example is in the
best tradition of mathematics and probably the most helpful thing
someone could have done.  I believe that you owe a thank-you to
Clifford Beshers for doing that.  I'm sure he had no intention of
insulting you.  He's doing what any good mathematician does -- shoot
down an improper statement and do it with an economy of words.

On the other hand, your attitude about his posting and about the
network in general does invite a personal attack.  I would suggest
that you reconsider both.


--Carl Ellison                      UUCP::  cme@cloud9.Stratus.COM
SNail:: Stratus Computer; 55 Fairbanks Blvd.; Marlborough MA 01752
Disclaimer::  (of course)