> . . .Strength tables are included in the book. I simply point out the data in
> the tables is unreliable. The tables are from West system. West Systems
> says the data is unreliable.

> As a mater of good practice, a proof reader should have reviewed the
> source of the data, noted the footnote made by West Systems, and had the
> table removed.

A minor point here. Few proof readers have that much clout. Their job is to usually closer to the production en. Typically they would just review the typeset matter and compare it with the original material supplied by the author and editor.

The person who should have noticed this would have been the book editor. At this point I can easily imagine two additional possibilities.

1) Some editors would have pulled the table if it was known to be inaccurate, in the belief that they should not publish known inaccuracies.

2) Others would have left it in, on the grounds that it was the best available material. I could even see how those editors could justify this move: While the table might contain inaccurate data, the source of these inaccuracies would be clearly identified as someone other than their author. That is what I would call the ``Hey. don't blame me, I'm just telling ya what he said'' defense.

Personally, as much as I wish I could honestly say that I would take the first option, I'd probably take the second. In the absence of better data, it is the best data available. I think a different choice would put the editor in the position of being held hostage to an unpredictable future. The idea is to get out the best book possible at this time. If better data should show up somewhere in the future, it could go in the next edition.

Knowledge is a work in progress. By publishing without having perfect knowledge the readers can interact with the thoughts of the author -- as we, in fact, do on a daily basis on this very board. Those who disagree will write criticism, and the author can rebut that. In the days when this was all handled on paper it took a lot longer than now, when we can e-publish our retorts in minutes. Ain't this a grand time to be alive!

Just some rambling thoughts

Paul G. Jacobson