Abstract: A method includes electronically receiving a first statement from a first user; electronically publishing the first statement; allowing a second user to electronically vote an opinion regarding the validity of the first statement; and receiving a second statement from the first user, the second statement and the first statement forming an argument. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having encoded thereon program code, wherein, when the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the simple, objective and accurate determination the zero point or effective zero point of a material, the point of first contact between an indenter tip and the surface of a material. The zero point is determined by using a sensor having a tip and capable of continuous stiffness measurement. By applying a data shift, which insures that the stiffness versus contact parameter curve is linear and goes through the origin of the graph, it is possible to determine the zero point based on combined data from indentation and from superimposed continuous stiffness measurement oscillations.