In Defense of Anecdotal Evidence (fwd)

[Jim Choate]

Forwarded message:

> Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 21:53:02 -0800
> Subject: Re: In Defense of Anecdotal Evidence
> 
> Yes and no.  Depends on the objective. If I had to purchase and install
> a new server for my employer, and not being an expert in security myself,
> I would (barring having a very trusted friend for advice) certainly be
> inclined to trust the published reports more than anecdotes, even when
> the anecdotes come from erstwhile reputable posters on these lists.

Published reports as done in the computer magazines are anecdotal evidence.
They neither print their error bands on their stats, the raw results of
their tests, or their complete test proceedures.

                                                 Jim Choate
                                                 CyberTects
                                                 ravage at ssz.com