Timeline for Convince someone that an app cannot be done
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
23 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Jan 31, 2012 at 18:33 | comment | added | S.Lott | @blunders: The question is not "how can I?" In which case, adding information would be relevant, useful and helpful. The question is "how do I show that it's impossible?" I'm simply showing that -- absent additional requirements -- it's impossible. You are free to manufacture a different question if you think that's helpful. I'm unable to guess. And didn't feel the need to ask. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 18:08 | comment | added | blunders | +8 @S.Lott: To assume something is not allowed unless it's clearly stated as being allowed is a very limiting view of the world in my opinion, further unless someone says something is not allowed, to me it's fair game. That said, thank you for your attempt to understand what I was saying, and as a result, I've upvoted all of your comments, cheers! | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 16:19 | comment | added | S.Lott | "the user supplies the estimated distance to the person, building, and person's height". That's just triangulation. Well known. Clearly workable. I don't see how the user supplying all that extra information is in the sketchy requirements in the question. As I've said before, you clearly are comfortable with those additional pieces of data. I don't see where that's allowed. You do. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 15:54 | comment | added | blunders | To be honest, I thought that's what you where originally saying, only to realize it appeared you were attempting to provide a proof for why the request was impossible. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 15:50 | comment | added | blunders | Hmm. It's a simple yes or no question, does the question say that nothing is knowable other than the image? If so, where? As for why I'm splitting hairs, in the example you gave, given the top/bottom of the person/building are aligned, and the user supplies the estimated distance to the person, building, and person's height - I believe it would be possible to calculate the height of the building; which you appear to be saying it is impossible to do using aligned forced perspective, and I'm saying it's not. Also, believe that would meet requirement stated, and would be a simple app to do. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 14:59 | comment | added | S.Lott | @blunders: "It does not say any additional information will be input". How can that be misinterpreted? I have no clue. The question clearly does not required additional input. The question does not list any additional input. No additional input is required by the question. The question does not list, mention, reference or even suggest additional input is needed. No additional input is mentioned in the question. There is no additional input described in the question. There are no requirements for additional input in the question. I do not know what hair you are splitting. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 13:59 | comment | added | blunders | "It does not say any additional information will be input" -- states that the question does not disclose if additional information will be input, which is not the subject of my question. My question is "Yes, or no, does the question say that nothing is knowable other than the image?" Meaning the question either does not state additional information is forbidden, or does state additional information is forbidden. Your statement, and my question have a different meanings. Does that help clear up my question? If so, please answer yes, or no. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 13:47 | comment | added | S.Lott | @blunders: "It does not say any additional information will be input". Seems clear to me. Apparently, it does not seem clear to you. I'm so sorry that this is so confusing. I absolutely cannot see how additional input is required. Apparently, you can. I don't see what words provide that hint to you. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 13:37 | comment | added | blunders | Again... Yes, or no, does the question say that nothing is knowable other than the image? If no, I'd be happy to provide an explanation of how it's possible to with my existing answer, otherwise there's no point, since it's irrelevant. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 13:06 | comment | added | S.Lott | @blunders: I'm glad you have such a good insight into the question. It does not say any additional information will be input. I'm sure you think it's important to add requirements like that, but I failed to see them. Since you know so much more about the question -- as asked -- I'm sure you will have a much better answer. That's the point. You could (if this wasn't closed) provide your own answer based on whatever other information you feel should have been part of the question. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 12:47 | comment | added | blunders | Again, where exactly does it say in the question that nothing is knowable other than the image, or are you saying that's your assumption? Appears so, but you're not directly stating it, and while the OP might later state that's the case, currently my understanding is the only requirement is "measure the actual size of an object using camera", which does not preclude awareness of additional information in my opinion. I personally would hope my friends know how tall they are... :-) ...but my point is you're saying it's not possible, when in fact it is possible based on my understanding. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 12:42 | comment | added | S.Lott | @blunders: Also. If it's possible, please provide a photo of a random object and judge the size from the content of photo alone. No additional facts (i.e., diameter of a quarter) can be imposed. Please post the solution, rather than claim that it may be possible. That way I can revise my answer based on your results. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 12:40 | comment | added | S.Lott | @blunders: But you don't know the height of the person or the building. Therefore, you have zero basis for guessing the height of either. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 11:51 | comment | added | blunders | Also, 'all forced perspective' is not proof it's not possible in my opinion, or that the top/bottom may never align; eg knowing the height of a penny & quarter, I would be able to figure out roughly how far apart these two coins are from each other. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 11:50 | comment | added | blunders | Yes, I did my own Google search, thanks... :-) ...where exactly does it say in the question that nothing is knowable other than the image, or are you saying that's your assumption? The only requirement I see is "measure the actual size of an object using camera", which in itself does not state that additional information is not knowable. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 10:58 | history | edited | S.Lott | CC BY-SA 3.0 | added 70 characters in body |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 10:40 | comment | added | S.Lott | @blunders: The point is that none of that is known. The bottoms are never aligned when taking forced perspective pictures. Therefore, the picture is utterly useless. The estimation of size from an image is impossible. All forced perspective pictures are ample proof that an image -- by itself -- is utterly unusable. Please look at some forced perspective pictures. Do your own Google search. | |
| Jan 31, 2012 at 0:32 | comment | added | blunders | +1 @S.Lott: Great answer, though have a few questions: Why would you not need to know the distant between the two objects being forced into alignment to use to complete the estimated height of the unmeasured object? Also, would not both the top and the bottom of both objects need to be aligned, not just the top? Lastly, would it be correct to say that 'it' is always the closer of the two objects? Thanks! | |
| Jan 30, 2012 at 21:27 | vote | accept | YoYoMyo | ||
| Jan 30, 2012 at 20:44 | history | edited | S.Lott | CC BY-SA 3.0 | added 36 characters in body |
| Jan 30, 2012 at 20:43 | comment | added | S.Lott | offroadinghome.blogspot.com/2011/04/… has numerous examples. | |
| Jan 30, 2012 at 19:52 | history | edited | S.Lott | CC BY-SA 3.0 | added 31 characters in body |
| Jan 30, 2012 at 19:17 | history | answered | S.Lott | CC BY-SA 3.0 |