The top left hand loop of the gallows characters is a 4. Who disagrees?

[Mark Knowles]

I don't have a big problem with understanding this.


You can take images of a bunch of q's and a bunch of 4's and line them up in order from more q - like to more 4 - like.
These images could come from a variety of sources or even be mathematically drawn.

You could mark the point where q's end and 4's begin.
For any given source you could count how many are more q like and how many are more 4 like.
Mark seems to think most are more 4 - like in the VMS.

My guess would be that intermediate forms would dominate.
Also, that cutoff point will be arbitrary.

I imagine that theoretically a mathematical function could be designed to draw the shapes, by adjusting a coefficient of "pointy" and/or a coefficient of "round".

In that sense, the shapes would be independent of a manuscript.

Meaningful results though would only come from comparison of shapes from actual manuscripts to the mathematical ones.

Hi Don,

Yes, I think you have a much clear idea of what I am talking about than some other people have.

Thanks for your input and making some useful, relevant points.

Mark