For an infinite cardinal $kappa$ let $ell_2(kappa)$ be the linear hull of the standard othonormal base of the Hilbert space $ell_2(kappa)$ of density $kappa$. We prove that a non-separable convex subset $X$ of density $kappa$ in a locally convex line
ar metric space if homeomorphic to the space (i) $ell_2^f(kappa)$ if and only if $X$ can be written as countable union of finite-dimensional locally compact subspaces, (ii) $[0,1]^omegatimes ell_2^f(kappa)$ if and only if $X$ contains a topological copy of the Hilbert cube and $X$ can be written as a countable union of locally compact subspaces.
By the {em Suslinian number} $Sln(X)$ of a continuum $X$ we understand the smallest cardinal number $kappa$ such that $X$ contains no disjoint family $C$ of non-degenerate subcontinua of size $|C|gekappa$. For a compact space $X$, $Sln(X)$ is the sma
llest Suslinian number of a continuum which contains a homeomorphic copy of $X$. Our principal result asserts that each compact space $X$ has weight $leSln(X)^+$ and is the limit of an inverse well-ordered spectrum of length $le Sln(X)^+$, consisting of compacta with weight $leSln(X)$ and monotone bonding maps. Moreover, $w(X)leSln(X)$ if no $Sln(X)^+$-Suslin tree exists. This implies that under the Suslin Hypothesis all Suslinian continua are metrizable, which answers a question of cite{DNTTT1}. On the other hand, the negation of the Suslin Hypothesis is equivalent to the existence of a hereditarily separable non-metrizable Suslinian continuum. If $X$ is a continuum with $Sln(X)<2^{aleph_0}$, then $X$ is 1-dimensional, has rim-weight $leSln(X)$ and weight $w(X)geSln(X)$. Our main tool is the inequality $w(X)leSln(X)cdot w(f(X))$ holding for any light map $f:Xto Y$.
We survey some principal results and open problems related to colorings of algebraic and geometric objects endowed with symmetries.
