the center of the world (was Re: Check out O'Reilly's Open Source Convention Highlights)

[Konrad Hinsen]

"Alex Martelli" <aleaxit at yahoo.com> writes:

> > But that doesn't minimize the distance on the surface.
> 
> Doesn't it (in terms of great-circle distance)?  I can't prove
> it in my head either way, but trying to visualize a few cases
> does suggest the requested surfacepoint IS obtained this way.

The surface distance is a monotonous function of the 3D (straight line
through the eartch) distance, but not a linear one. So summing up one
or the other gives different weights to the individual distances.

> available on the net.  But then for pragmatism one should
> count frequent-flyer miles as a bonus, shouldn't one?

Sure, to add some complexity.

Konrad.
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