Dr.Lefty - Slashdot User

Comment 90% accurate 10% rate of false positives (Score 1) 365

by Dr.Lefty on Thursday July 23, 2009 @12:33AM (#28791545) Attached to: Visualizing False Positives In Broad Screening

How can this counter-intuitive fact be communicated effectively to people unschooled in statistics?"

We could start by never claiming any test is X% accurate. Any detection scheme for anything cannot have it's accuracy defined by only one number. You need at least two numbers...the rate of false negatives (or efficiency, which is what is usually quoted), AND the rate of false positives to get a picture of what any test will be capable of...Even the example in the linked article was wrong. a 90% efficient test does not necessarily have a 10% rate of false positives. It could have a 1% rate of FP, or a 50% rate of false positives. Saying a test is 90% accurate has no meaning by itself.

Journal Journal: New Mac Pros

Journal by GateGuy on Wednesday January 09, 2008 @01:15PM

Yesterday, Apple released new Mac Pros. These appear to be a pretty major update to their product line. I am probably going to get the baseline (2 quad core cpus) with the upgraded video card.

I am planning on traveling to Delaware to purchase this machine as the state of Maryland has just increased the sales tax. Maryland can bite my ass.

Hopefully, I can get this machine next weekend.

Submission + - New York taxi drivers to strike over GPS

Submitted by Stony Stevenson on Saturday August 25, 2007 @12:30AM

Stony Stevenson writes: New York City taxi drivers are split on whether they should strike in opposition to a new GPS requirement. One taxi group plans to strike from 5 a.m., Sept. 5, through 5 a.m., Sept. 7, in opposition to New York City's requirement that all cabs be equipped with GPS technology beginning Oct. 1. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which claims more than 8,400 members, announced the strike dates this week, saying GPS infringes on drivers' privacy.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission passed a rule stating that all New York City cabs must have touch-screen display panels, credit card readers, and GPS beginning this year. Many taxis already are equipped with the technologies, which allow passengers to get news, route data, and other information. The TLC claims that the technology will not be used to invade drivers' privacy but will provide real-time maps and help passengers recover lost property.

Submission + - U.S. court denies Webcasters' stay petition (kpfa.org)

Submitted by

Michael Manoochehri

on Thursday July 12, 2007 @01:38PM

Michael Manoochehri writes: "Reuters reports that a "federal appeals court has denied a petition by U.S. Internet radio stations seeking to delay a royalty rate hike due July 15 they say could kill the fledgling industry." This royalty rate hike, put forth by the US Copyright Royalty Board, will increase royalty rates for webcast music tremendously, in some cases to more per year than many webcasters bring in from revenue. Save Net Radio, a coalition of webcasters, is telling listeners that "We are appealing to the millions of Internet radio listeners out there, the webcasters they support and the artists and labels we treasure to rise up and make your voices heard again before this vibrant medium is silenced.""

Slashdot Top Deals