Margin Notes · subs.hahaclassic.net

Field notes · Methods · Reading

subs.hahaclassic.net / about

about

This is a collection of original explanatory essays. It is not a breaking-news service. Notes describe methods and observations; they do not claim events or reporting that have not occurred.

networks

What a network measurement can tell us

A single latency sample describes one path at one moment. Repeated measurements, a stated location and an unchanged method make comparisons more useful. Record uncertainty alongside the result.

Reference essay · January 2026
systems

Keeping a useful maintenance record

Write down the observed condition before changing a system. Make one reversible adjustment and repeat the same observation. A clear record distinguishes a repair from a coincidental recovery.

Reference essay · January 2026
research

Reading a source with care

Separate the question a study asks from the claim a headline makes. Look for the method, the sample and the limits the authors describe. A result can be useful without applying everywhere.

Reference essay · January 2026
design

Designing for a second reading

Labels should explain an action before it happens. Stable spacing and a clear reading order help a reader return to a page and find a detail without starting again.

Reference essay · January 2026
culture

Preserving context in a small archive

An archive becomes more useful when each item includes its origin, date and a description of why it was kept. Corrections should remain visible so the collection explains its own history.

Reference essay · January 2026
environment

Observing a place over time

A short field note can record weather, light and visible changes without claiming a trend. Returning to the same place with the same method makes a modest observation more informative.

Reference essay · January 2026