My algo experience
I received a Gift card instead of a book in an Amazon package. Their response was to fix it by: First, I received two copies of the book I ordered. One I had to return by finding an out-of-my area convenience store (twice) and using some scanner/printer where, as the camera was not where expected or indeed adequate, a helpful checkout operator had to assist. Second, I did not need to return small value Gift card — for a while I thought I was winning & appreciated it as a nice touch for my inconvenience until I discovered it had been cancelled.
I appreciate that for Amazon two deliveries of the item is a guaranteed low cost way of fixing the mistake. But the algorithm worked by transferring labour & hassle to this hapless customer.
History meets Technology and Language design
The teaching of modern languages in (UK) schools is in decline. In Scotland emphasis has been on French & German at Primary, for a while Chinese was a rising star — still is in the independent sector. Teaching Mandarin has several benefits due to the broader curriculum aspects that can be covered. For example the written form allows artistic and practical lessons to be constructed.
This book fills a technical gap with background for those wishing to integrate more detail. A historical approach is taken and the cast of individuals involved and their different geographical locations described. There is good pictorial explanation of the breakdown of Chinese character formation and rationale of how the practical implementation of typing the language has evolved.
