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Is this question acceptable?: How to find which subset of bitfields xor to another bitfield?

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    This question reads to me a lot like it should belong on SO. But one of the answerers there (it was cross posted) suggested that MO may be a good place for it.

    I see it as a question asking about algorithm or existing software solution to a linear-programming problem. And as such I'm inclined to say that it diverges a bit from the purpose of MO. What do people think?

    • CommentAuthorWill Jagy
    • CommentTimeOct 4th 2010
     
    A bit broader, I don't like programmers or engineers of various descriptions getting free consulting. The places where such people work can hire a consultant, the total pool of money going to actual mathematicians will slightly increase. It's less annoying if it seems to be someone in the sciences, for that matter computer science, who can't hack the math side of their research. I suppose my feeling is, if you will never contribute to mathematics or to the world's store of knowledge, pay somebody when you get stuck.
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    +1 Will.

    • CommentAuthorvoloch
    • CommentTimeOct 4th 2010
     
    I think the person who asked the question being discussed has made a non trivial contribution to FOSS and thus to human knowledge.
    • CommentAuthorWill Jagy
    • CommentTimeOct 4th 2010
     
    What's FOSS? And, since the guy put his name and a website, what's bittorrent?
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    FOSS = Free/Open-Source Software

    BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer communications protocol for facilitating distributions of large files. It has a sort of trickle-down philosophy, which was a break-through at the time (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_%28protocol%29 for detailed description). One of its original stated goals was to aid the distribution of media by independent producers who do not have access to large centralized servers from which users can download the content. In actuality, I think most people would agree that it has been most widely used to distribute illicit content (pirated software/movie and such).

    For younger folks who were in school around 2001 - 2005, that was the thing, and so his name because rather recognizable. The dude also has his own Wikipedia entry, which guarantees "notability", at least among certain circles.

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    That said, even if it were Linus Torvalds or POTUS who asked that question, I'd still question whether it is acceptable here on MO. Just because he did something awesome doesn't mean he gets a free pass on the rules.

    • CommentAuthorvoloch
    • CommentTimeOct 4th 2010 edited
     
    Willie, if the question is not MO level, then it shouldn't be on MO, I agree. But Will was saying that Cohen shouldn't be asking questions on MO at all. That I disagree.

    Edit: as to Will's more general point, I am ambivalent.
    • CommentAuthorWill Jagy
    • CommentTimeOct 4th 2010
     
    Felipe, it appears I should explain one thing, which is that I had not noticed the OP supplied a name until you mentioned FOSS, I looked on his site and found the word bittorrent, and I was lazy enough to ask here instead of looking on wikipedia. These concepts still have little meaning for me, but I am willing to take your word for it that they are worth something.
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    To add to Felipe's comment with Will's in mind: if the question is MO level, then it should be on MO.

    If something is truly MO level (i.e., easy for at least one MO participant), hiring a consultant would be a waste of money.

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