Re: The Prize #2

[Michael Koppelman <lolife@bitstream.net>]

I thought your first message on this subject seemed like "I think I 
might..." and not a done deal. Are you saying it is a done deal?

The other question is: are we to demonstrate that better results are 
possible or are we to improve the process? Those are two very different 
things. I'm sure it is possible to improve a given data set but to 
actually improve your process is a whole 'nother matter and may not 
even be possible (e.g. slewing to standard stars every couple of 
hours).

Thanks!
Michael


On Sep 17, 2004, at 3:09 PM, tom wrote:

> The response to the first prize offer was pretty underwhelming 
> considering the
> size of the prize offered.  My first assumption is that Americans have 
> lots
> of money and little time.  Not so true in Canada where people seem to 
> have
> more time and less money.  The statistics are not very good.  ;^)  I 
> had said
> (all mail lost) that I wanted at least a half dozen respondents to go 
> through
> the work of investigating the tax and other consequences.  I got 2 or 
> three.
> Only two really responded in a positive way.
>
> Still, the quality of those that did apply is exceptional.  So I am 
> quite
> tempted.  I just hope a few more will show interest.
>
> For those that missed he first mailing, I have proposed a prize of 
> $20,000 for
> work leading to the improvement of the tass data.  I think it would be
> appropriate to have a debate here as to what the rules should be, and 
> then we
> would set a fairly long period to demonstrate a positive result.  Say 
> the
> year 2005.  I think pushing the noise floor below 0.02 or 0.01 would 
> be a
> suitable goal for such a prize.  No result, no prize.  The method 
> would also
> have to be practical.  I have to be able to process all the data in a 
> year
> using a half dozen or so GHz computers.
>
> Jennifer exploded when she saw the first offer but I think I have 
> convinced
> her that this is a good way to advance a project that I have already 
> spent
> much more in pursuing.
>
> If any of you are interested in participating, send again a short mail
> message.  For those of you new to me it should include some indication 
> of
> your qualifications.
>