Leopold Toetsch wrote: > Nicholas Clark wrote: > > Jos Visser wrote: > >> fortytwo I0 > > > > Shouldn't it be the what_do_you_get_if_you_multiply_six_by_nine op? > > Shouldn't it be the > what_do_you_get_if_you_multiply_six_by_nine_then_subtract_twelve op?
Just for those people who've missed the reference: cribbed from: http://www.mac-2001.com/42/42.htm Approximately 16 million years ago, pan-dimensional beings constructed the second-most powerful computer of all time and space to calculate the GREAT ANSWER to the GREAT QUESTION The great question of Life, the Universe, Everything. (to which such trivial questions of: Why? and How? and When's tea time? -- are but simply a part). After Seven-and-a-half MILLION YEARS, the great computer (which was known as "Deep Thought") came up with the answer... The two master philosophers approach Deep Thought... They ask: Are you ready? Yes You mean there's actually an answer? Yes A simple answer, that we can understand? Yes. But, you're not going to like this. That's fine, just tell us. Yes, the answer to the great question is... Yes, yes... The answer to the ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND EVERYTHING IS.... yes, yes... You're really not going to like this... JUST TELL US! The answer is.... FOUR-TY TWO What? That's it? Yes, I checked it twice. It was a tough one, too! But that doesn't make any sense at all. Yes, I mean "42" -- what does that mean? Exactly! What? That's the answer. But, what is the question? Well, of course it's THE great question... Yes? You know. of, of, life, the Universe ... Everything. Yes, but what does that mean? What? What does the question mean? Well, it's, it's just the great question.... Exactly! In order to understand the answer, you have to know what the question itself IS. Can you give us the question? NO! Oh, bugger. But, I can tell you who can... Yes, yes. I will give you the specifications of the greatest computer in the entire history of time and space. A computer so vast that I am not worthy to utter the specifications for it. A computer the size of a planet. A computer so complex, that life itself shall form part of its computational matrix. And I shall name it for you. The computer shall be called THE EARTH... So, begins the last 10 million years of our world's existence..... -- (adapted slightly from) The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. By Douglas Adams available at bookstores, libraries and space stations everywhere. Look for the big, friendly green-creature on the front cover and the nicely re-assuring words: Don't Panic! -- Don't leave your planet without it!!! -- Garrett Goebel IS Development Specialist ScriptPro Direct: 913.403.5261 5828 Reeds Road Main: 913.384.1008 Mission, KS 66202 Fax: 913.384.2180 www.scriptpro.com garrett at scriptpro dot com
