From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Msuck: nntp://news.gmane.io/gmane.science.mathematics.categories/4639 Path: news.gmane.org!not-for-mail From: "Ellis D. Cooper" Newsgroups: gmane.science.mathematics.categories Subject: BourWiki-iBourbaki-FunctorWiki? Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:33:43 -0400 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: main.gmane.org Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Trace: ger.gmane.org 1241020074 14161 80.91.229.2 (29 Apr 2009 15:47:54 GMT) X-Complaints-To: usenet@ger.gmane.org NNTP-Posting-Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:47:54 +0000 (UTC) To: Andre Joyal ,categories@mta.ca Original-X-From: rrosebru@mta.ca Sun Sep 28 20:49:13 2008 -0300 Return-path: Envelope-to: categories-list@mta.ca Delivery-date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:49:13 -0300 Original-Received: from Majordom by mailserv.mta.ca with local (Exim 4.61) (envelope-from ) id 1Kk5vO-0006VT-O4 for categories-list@mta.ca; Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:43:38 -0300 Original-Sender: cat-dist@mta.ca Precedence: bulk X-Keywords: X-UID: 135 Original-Lines: 73 Xref: news.gmane.org gmane.science.mathematics.categories:4639 Archived-At: Dear Andr=E9 Joyal, At 01:55 PM 9/25/2008, you wrote: (i) Some peoples have expressed doubts about the feasability. (ii) we should make sure that iBourbaki can last for more than one= generation. (iii) We need to conciliate long term duration=20 with the rapid developpement of technology. (iv) My task at this point is to convince peoples=20 that the project is worthy and feasable. If it will be useful to distinguish between (a)=20 mathematicians informally doing mathematics at a=20 blackboard or on a shared napkin or pad, and (b)=20 formally composing mathematical exposition in,=20 say, LaTeX supplemented by software technology=20 for diagrams (e.g., xy-pic and Xfig), then my=20 project is relevant solely to (a). It seems to=20 me that both (a) and (b) are necessary for the Subject. Imagine (a) a mathematics discussion forum with a=20 conversation like that on the categories=20 listserv, except augmented by the ability to=20 draw and edit all kinds of mathematical=20 expressions and diagrams (it has been said that=20 "The Bourbaki were Puritans, and Puritans are=20 strongly opposed to pictorial representations of=20 truths of their faith."), and (b) a Wiki-like=20 peer-generated-and-reviewed presentation of=20 research, report, and tutorial material=20 with links back to the discussions, arguments,=20 and diagrams in (a). All students of mathematics=20 should be allowed to visit the forum, perhaps=20 like a virtual Gallery of the Senate Chamber=20 combined with the MIT OpenCourseWare initiative. ( (i), (iv) ) Regarding feasibility of (a), last year I=20 sketched a possible algorithm intended to=20 address basic issues of presence and=20 registration in a paper available at=20 http://distancedrawing.com/Napkin071215a.pdf . A revision of that algorithm substitutes (1)=20 webcam USB technology for digital video camera=20 technology, and (2) the browser protocol for instant messaging. Perhaps the AJAX design pattern called HTTP=20 Streaming -- a long-lived HTTP connection with=20 each collaborator -- might be worth=20 investigating. A merging algorithm for multiple=20 independently generated images to create a single=20 "virtual drawing" is described in the aforementioned paper. The open source project I am proposing would=20 combine forum software like=20 http://www.yetanotherforum.net/ with webcam software. ( (ii), (iii) ) With regard to (b) there will be not only=20 development of computer technology, but also=20 development of mathematical technology. Someday=20 might there be something that is as much beyond=20 category theory as category theory is beyond Bourbaki? Strictly speaking, the Subject and this project=20 are not about categories. I wonder how you think=20 this discussion should be diverted to a separate=20 stream and joined just by those keenly interested in (i)-(iv). Ellis