VMs: summaries - summarise

[William Edmondson <w.h.edmondson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Folks.

Since I joined the list less than two weeks ago nearly 300 messages have 
struggled through my modem to reveal that the list is extremely active.

But I urgently need some summary information before heading off to the 
British Library and the Welcome Library.

Are there any fora/journals/websites for presenting/archiving summaries?

Specifically, I'd like to be able to read summaries on these points:-

What are the current opinions on the age of the VMS, supported by what 
evidence, countered by what other evidence?
What are the current opinions on the geographical origins, supported by 
what evidence, countered by what other evidence?
What are the current opinions on code vs shorthand vs idiosyncratic 
transcription (and if the latter of what language), supported by what 
evidence, countered by what other evidence?
What are the opinions on the character set - have characters been 
accurately isolated, for example, because low entropy is extremely  
suspicious, assuming a meaningful text.?  Again, evidence for and 
against? [Note that Landini's reply to me from 29/1 does not appear to 
countenance the idea that we could have misread the VMS at the level of 
getting the character set wrong - how could this ever be resolved 
without a successful reading of the VMS?; and yes, I am aware of 
Stolfi's core/periphery model, but that doesn't actually prove the 
character set is correct.]
What physical/chemical tests could/should be done on the real VMS to 
help clarify any of these issues, and has anyone approached Yale to see 
if they can be done?
What archive of false avenues exists, and with what data?

Just a few thoughts    ;-)

Thanks

William

--
Dr William H Edmondson
School of Computer Science
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Voice  -  +44-121-414-4763
email  -  w.h.edmondson@xxxxxxxxxx


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