Comments for 21st century actuary's blog http://www.actuary21c.com one actuary trying to make the most of 21st Century technology and thinking Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:49:33 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on Reducing environmental costs in the new UK actuarial profession by Brian Spence http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1167&cpage=1#comment-1714 Brian Spence Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:49:33 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1167#comment-1714 Completely agree with you Patrick. Really wonder what the benefit is of the paper version of the Actuary. Brian Completely agree with you Patrick. Really wonder what the benefit is of the paper version of the Actuary. Brian

]]> Comment on Has anyone ever found Microsoft’s ReadyBoost facility for Windows Vista (or Windows 7) of any use? I haven’t by Calum http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1156&cpage=1#comment-1683 Calum Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:49:41 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1156#comment-1683 Given the nature of your computing work, the chances are you have large amounts of installed memory. Since unused memory is (presumably) used as disk cache anyway, you probably aren't seeing much gain with it. And of course, if the tasks you are undertaking are not bounded by disk I/O, then it will have no effect whatsoever. For example, R stores datasets in memory unless size forces caching. Given the nature of your computing work, the chances are you have large amounts of installed memory. Since unused memory is (presumably) used as disk cache anyway, you probably aren’t seeing much gain with it. And of course, if the tasks you are undertaking are not bounded by disk I/O, then it will have no effect whatsoever. For example, R stores datasets in memory unless size forces caching.

]]> Comment on The Actuary magazine: surely the future is online? by Reducing environmental costs in the new UK actuarial profession | 21st century actuary’s blog http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=65&cpage=1#comment-1675 Reducing environmental costs in the new UK actuarial profession | 21st century actuary’s blog Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:12:08 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=65#comment-1675 [...] last wrote about this over a year ago (here, since when some progress has been made but not yet on the main issue I was focussing on which was [...] [...] last wrote about this over a year ago (here, since when some progress has been made but not yet on the main issue I was focussing on which was [...]

]]> Comment on My review of Microsoft Windows 7 v Vista and Office 2007 v Office 2003 by actuary21c http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1134&cpage=1#comment-1655 actuary21c Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:29:54 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1134#comment-1655 I've just updated the post to mention another small but important improvement in Windows 7 as compared to Vista: the <a href="http://www.inqa.com/index.php?set_albumName=Windows7&id=RecentPlaces_AtLast&option=com_gallery&Itemid=26&include=view_photo.php" rel="nofollow">Recent Places</a> link. I’ve just updated the post to mention another small but important improvement in Windows 7 as compared to Vista: the Recent Places link.

]]> Comment on I now support the 2010 merger proposals, my remaining objection having been removed, plus better member communication facility introduced by actuary21c http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1124&cpage=1#comment-1520 actuary21c Fri, 21 May 2010 22:05:31 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1124#comment-1520 PS Having just voted online FOR the 2010 merger proposals, the following message appeared after I had clicked the Submit button on the Electoral Reform Services (ERS) website: "If you have made an error/want to alter your vote to please contact ERS on +44 (0)20 8889 9203 or onlinevoting@electoralreform.co.uk." So, as during the 2009 merger process, it is possible -although there is not much time left (electronic voting closes at 1700 on 22 May 2010 for Faculty members, and 1700 on 23 May 2010 for Institute members) - for anyone who wishes to change their vote to do so. Patrick PS Having just voted online FOR the 2010 merger proposals, the following message appeared after I had clicked the Submit button on the Electoral Reform Services (ERS) website:

“If you have made an error/want to alter your vote to please contact ERS on +44 (0)20 8889 9203 or onlinevoting@electoralreform.co.uk.”

So, as during the 2009 merger process, it is possible -although there is not much time left (electronic voting closes at 1700 on 22 May 2010 for Faculty members, and 1700 on 23 May 2010 for Institute members) – for anyone who wishes to change their vote to do so.

Patrick

]]> Comment on Using a COM-visible .NET dll across a network from VBA by actuary21c http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1116&cpage=1#comment-1519 actuary21c Fri, 21 May 2010 12:59:15 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1116#comment-1519 You're welcome, Mike. If I had my way, Microsoft would have much better error messages so that a lot of this searching around on the web wouldn't be necessary. Having said that, the error messages in .net are much better than those from COM, but are still not perfect, e.g. the standard Dictionary class in .net still gives error messages like "an element with this key has already been added" which could be much improved by actually providing the key, e.g. "an element with key "Smith" has already been added". You’re welcome, Mike. If I had my way, Microsoft would have much better error messages so that a lot of this searching around on the web wouldn’t be necessary. Having said that, the error messages in .net are much better than those from COM, but are still not perfect, e.g. the standard Dictionary class in .net still gives error messages like “an element with this key has already been added” which could be much improved by actually providing the key, e.g. “an element with key “Smith” has already been added”.

]]> Comment on Using a COM-visible .NET dll across a network from VBA by Mike http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1116&cpage=1#comment-1515 Mike Tue, 18 May 2010 00:24:14 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1116#comment-1515 Spent half a day on the phone with a client until we found this. Works great. Thanks. Spent half a day on the phone with a client until we found this. Works great. Thanks.

]]> Comment on About by Official 2010 merger plans (for Institute and Faculty of Actuaries) « 21st century actuary’s blog http://www.actuary21c.com/?page_id=2&cpage=1#comment-1227 Official 2010 merger plans (for Institute and Faculty of Actuaries) « 21st century actuary’s blog Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:10:47 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?page_id=2#comment-1227 [...] If anyone wants to comment but is reluctant to do so publicly, then you can email me (see the About page on this blog). Comments [...] [...] If anyone wants to comment but is reluctant to do so publicly, then you can email me (see the About page on this blog). Comments [...]

]]> Comment on Further Comments by David Wilkie on the proposed Charter for the “CAP” by Revised draft charter proposed for 2010 Institute/Faculty merger vote « 21st century actuary’s blog http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=517&cpage=1#comment-1139 Revised draft charter proposed for 2010 Institute/Faculty merger vote « 21st century actuary’s blog Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:02:31 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=517#comment-1139 [...] rights are still (as they undoubtedly were under the previous failed July 2009 proposed charter, see here and related posts) being significantly [...] [...] rights are still (as they undoubtedly were under the previous failed July 2009 proposed charter, see here and related posts) being significantly [...]

]]> Comment on US actuaries’ experience shows Actuarial Outpost = the Google of actuarial forums by Twitter and the Actuarial Outpost: why actuaries should be interested in these and some tips « 21st century actuary’s blog http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1023&cpage=1#comment-1086 Twitter and the Actuarial Outpost: why actuaries should be interested in these and some tips « 21st century actuary’s blog Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:21:45 +0000 http://www.actuary21c.com/?p=1023#comment-1086 [...] am also finding the Actuarial Outpost (AO) increasingly useful – as stated in this previous post it really is the 500 pound gorilla in the world of actuarial discussion [...] [...] am also finding the Actuarial Outpost (AO) increasingly useful – as stated in this previous post it really is the 500 pound gorilla in the world of actuarial discussion [...]

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