metric = communism

[klah]

I only use metric, and treat people who use imperial units in a condescending manner.

 

[jaydee]

Originally posted by: zugzoog
Metric rocks for business and science. It reduces costs and simplifies measurement & calculations.

I agree that imperial seems more "natural" and easier to relate to. It is easier to think of a foot (by the length of your own foot) than a metre. The problem is that everyone has a different perception of a foot.

Of of the problems is that metric is based upon base 10. This makes the treatment of thirds a little difficult. It would be better to have it base 12. Thirds, quarters and sixths are now integer parts (of course fifths are now non-integral, but this is used much less). I am of the opinion that this should apply to our counting system as well, but that is for another thread.................

Bah... if you're going to change the counting system, you have to go all the way to hex (base-16). It'd make life much easier for us ECE's . But I will agree, that for fractional purposes, the base-12 system is intriguing.

 

[SportSC4]

metric? imperial? some of us prefer to measure our buildings in stadions and furlongs, our volumes in homers, weights in shekals, handspans and cubits should be perfectly acceptable for day to day use ... dang nabit!

 

[Sandor]

The metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets forty rods to the hogshead and that's the way I likes it!

 

[SuperTool]

I think the US will be metric and celcius by the end of the century if not earlier. Globalization. If you have engineers all over the world working together, you need to pick one system, and engineering is already metric based largely.

 

[DrPizza]

Yeah, but a lot of engineering is metric... science is metric... science education is metric (at least in my state), and a lot of math these days (again, in NY) has a lot of metric problems in it. But, we're too resistant to change to the metric system. Our system is stupid, and I've got some bad news for you Americans who like our system.. Our system is defined in metric terms. The standard lengths, masses, etc. are all metric. The exact length of an inch? What's an inch? 1 inch is 2.54 centimeters (exactly)

Quick! How many inches in a mile?

100,000 centimeters in a kilometer... piece of cake to do it in metric.
People who feel we should stick with our crappy, inferior system, just because it makes us different are idiots and deserve to be treated with a condescending attitude.

Regardless, I'm comfortable with either system. I can happily convert between the two on the fly. If someone says something's 20 centimeters long... I don't have to convert... I know how long 20 cm is. I'd hold my hands out, then think about how many inches it is. (8ish)

 

[dethman]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
metric is french, so fsck it.

so is the statue of liberty. let's fvck that.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: klah
I only use metric, and treat people who use imperial units in a condescending manner.

Same here, though my brain for some reason wants to think in Impererial units of terperature ... stupid brain.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong

Originally posted by: So
The problem with metric is that many of the units aren't convenient for day to day life. Sure, a cm can replace an inch, but a foot is MUCH more convenient to use than a meter. Metric is great for calculations, and a lot of things, most of which we're switching to on our own (liters, etc...)

yea, it'll be a slow transition, I figure about the same time those silly British (and Aussies) start driving on the right side of the road, the rest of us will have completly converted to metric.

As opposed to the wrong side of the road?
I don't know where a foot would be a much more convenient measuring unit than a meter... But sure you might enlighten me

Calin

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: Calin

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong

Originally posted by: So
The problem with metric is that many of the units aren't convenient for day to day life. Sure, a cm can replace an inch, but a foot is MUCH more convenient to use than a meter. Metric is great for calculations, and a lot of things, most of which we're switching to on our own (liters, etc...)

yea, it'll be a slow transition, I figure about the same time those silly British (and Aussies) start driving on the right side of the road, the rest of us will have completly converted to metric.

As opposed to the wrong side of the road?
I don't know where a foot would be a much more convenient measuring unit than a meter... But sure you might enlighten me

Calin

Don't Japs drive on the left too?

 

[nCred]

Celsius is much better then Farenheit.

 

[Zee]

well then... we should just invade every fvcking country and unify all the races, measurements, languages and standards.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
metric is french, so fsck it.

So is democracy and human rights........ Also alot of renown scientists were frech..... Carthesian philosophy and mathematics are french.

 

[nineball9]

I live in the US and have long been a fan of the metric system.

To confuse matters, the US uses Troy weight for precious metals; an ounce of gold does not weigh the same as an ounce of feathers.
(An ounce of gold weighs more than an ounce of feathers, but a pound of gold weighs less than a pound of feathers.)

Fortunately apothecaries weight has pretty much been replaced by metric units. (Who would want to purchase drugs measured in grains, scruples, and drams anymore?)

On another note, it was rather sad to watch the US commentators at the Olympics having to convert units for US viewers. All Olympic measurements are metric, but the commentators had to convert high jump, long lump, pole vault, discus, hammer, javelin, etc distances from meters to feet and inches.

 

[Scouzer]

i agree strongly with the convenience stuff...im 17 year old canadian so all i've ever been taught is metric. but for things like a persons height and weight its still pounds and feet.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: So
The problem with metric is that many of the units aren't convenient for day to day life. Sure, a cm can replace an inch, but a foot is MUCH more convenient to use than a meter. Metric is great for calculations, and a lot of things, most of which we're switching to on our own (liters, etc...)

LOL, as I've never used anything but metric I have to say the convenience of using your illogical mesurements is not easier than metric. I know how much 30 cm is, and if I get a distance in feet I always have to re-calculate it to cm/m to get an impression of the length.

So it's just a matter of getting used to it.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: Dark4ng3l

Originally posted by: ElFenix
metric is french, so fsck it.

So is democracy and human rights........ Also alot of renown scientists were frech..... Carthesian philosophy and mathematics are french.

The democracy came from Greece.

Calin

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Yeah, but a lot of engineering is metric... science is metric... science education is metric (at least in my state), and a lot of math these days (again, in NY) has a lot of metric problems in it. But, we're too resistant to change to the metric system. Our system is stupid, and I've got some bad news for you Americans who like our system.. Our system is defined in metric terms. The standard lengths, masses, etc. are all metric. The exact length of an inch? What's an inch? 1 inch is 2.54 centimeters (exactly)

Quick! How many inches in a mile?

100,000 centimeters in a kilometer... piece of cake to do it in metric.
People who feel we should stick with our crappy, inferior system, just because it makes us different are idiots and deserve to be treated with a condescending attitude.

Regardless, I'm comfortable with either system. I can happily convert between the two on the fly. If someone says something's 20 centimeters long... I don't have to convert... I know how long 20 cm is. I'd hold my hands out, then think about how many inches it is. (8ish)

Who the hell cares the only time you every have to convert units is when some jack ass physic teacher gives the question in stupid units in the first place.

 

[dullard]

Metric is better for many things. However, there are a few places where converting to metric is not a good thing.

The best example is Fahrenheit vs Celsius. There is no reason at all to switch to Celsius. Fahrenheit is just better in pretty much every possible way for the average citizen.
[*]People's limits of sensitivity is just about exactly one °F. People can just barely feel the difference between 70°F and 71°F. Room thermostats, hot water heaters, etc are all thus perfectly designed without needing decimal points. Celsius on the other hand needs to be programed in multiples of 0.56°C to be at the limits of human sensitivity.
[*]For every measurements, Fahrenheit is perfect. What is the most common use of temperature? To know what to wear that day. 0°F is cold and below 0°F you need severe protection from the elements for any length of time you spend outside. 100°F is hot and above 100°F you need severe protection from the elements for any length of time you spend outside. Right in the middle at 50°F a person can wear anything at all and be ok - shorts or pants, jacket or not, etc. What are those same limits in Celsius? Yep -17.8°C, 10°C, and 37.8°C. How inconvenient. In fact over much of the civilized world 0°F and 100°F are the typical limits of temperatures. Sure you'll get the occasional peak over that, but not by far.
[*]When should you consider seeing a doctor? Above 100°F. Great and easy number to remember. In Celsius that is 37.8°C - not easy to remember.
[*]Both have well defined and simple to measure limits at 0°C and 0°F. There is no benefit there.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
metric is french, so fsck it.

So is the battery. Try and live without that.

 

[SagaLore]

I think we should keep the Imperial measurements, and start using a greek number system. We just need 2 more characters. It will better fit time, the calendar, and trigonometrics (360 degrees). Base 12 is cool.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The advantage of the english measurement system is that it's more easily divided (12 divides into 2, 3, and 4 quite well, and 1/2 divides in half by doubling the lower number) . In the case of the contractor, all his tools were in english, all the stuff comes measured in english (ie: 12" tiles). The contractor had to convert everything at every step.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: dullard
Metric is better for many things. However, there are a few places where converting to metric is not a good thing.

The best example is Fahrenheit vs Celsius. There is no reason at all to switch to Celsius. Fahrenheit is just better in pretty much every possible way for the average citizen.
[*]People's limits of sensitivity is just about exactly one °F. People can just barely feel the difference between 70°F and 71°F. Room thermostats, hot water heaters, etc are all thus perfectly designed without needing decimal points. Celsius on the other hand needs to be programed in multiples of 0.56°C to be at the limits of human sensitivity.
[*]For every measurements, Fahrenheit is perfect. What is the most common use of temperature? To know what to wear that day. 0°F is cold and below 0°F you need severe protection from the elements for any length of time you spend outside. 100°F is hot and above 100°F you need severe protection from the elements for any length of time you spend outside. Right in the middle at 50°F a person can wear anything at all and be ok - shorts or pants, jacket or not, etc. What are those same limits in Celsius? Yep -17.8°C, 10°C, and 37.8°C. How inconvenient. In fact over much of the civilized world 0°F and 100°F are the typical limits of temperatures. Sure you'll get the occasional peak over that, but not by far.
[*]When should you consider seeing a doctor? Above 100°F. Great and easy number to remember. In Celsius that is 37.8°C - not easy to remember.
[*]Both have well defined and simple to measure limits at 0°C and 0°F. There is no benefit there.

if we realy wanted an accurate and a logical mesurement then we would just use Kelvin, but celsius comes nr 2 because it is based on water which is everywhere around us. Fahrenheit is based on Idontknowwhat and therefore is not realy logical. But lets go over your points.


1. Heat sensitivity?, is that the same for everyone?
you could use a thermostat that has 70.5°f as well as one that has 20.5°c, dont see the point of your point here

2. Do all people feel heat the same? this is a matter of perspective, for me, pretty cold is below 5°c or 41°f, I know that it might snow at 0°c or 32°c and water on the roads start to freeze up so I have to drive more careful. I know that a great weather starts when it goes above 15°c or 59°f. So these 32, 41 and 59 numbers are realy unconvenient arent they?
And what do you mean by "In fact over much of the civilized world 0°F and 100°F are the typical limits of temperatures"

3. 37°c is the human body temperature, so 98.6°f is rather....hard to remember isnt it?

4. Yes both mesuremnts have a zero

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The advantage of the english measurement system is that it's more easily divided (12 divides into 2, 3, and 4 quite well, and 1/2 divides in half by doubling the lower number) . In the case of the contractor, all his tools were in english, all the stuff comes measured in english (ie: 12" tiles). The contractor had to convert everything at every step.

The advantage of the metric system is that you don't need to deal with fractions, and changing to larger or smaller measurements is as easy as moving the decimal point.

Unfortunately if you know about the problems with floats, you can never get 100% precision with decimals. That is where fractions rule.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: dullard
Metric is better for many things. However, there are a few places where converting to metric is not a good thing.

The best example is Fahrenheit vs Celsius. There is no reason at all to switch to Celsius. Fahrenheit is just better in pretty much every possible way for the average citizen.
[*]People's limits of sensitivity is just about exactly one °F. People can just barely feel the difference between 70°F and 71°F. Room thermostats, hot water heaters, etc are all thus perfectly designed without needing decimal points. Celsius on the other hand needs to be programed in multiples of 0.56°C to be at the limits of human sensitivity.
[*]For every measurements, Fahrenheit is perfect. What is the most common use of temperature? To know what to wear that day. 0°F is cold and below 0°F you need severe protection from the elements for any length of time you spend outside. 100°F is hot and above 100°F you need severe protection from the elements for any length of time you spend outside. Right in the middle at 50°F a person can wear anything at all and be ok - shorts or pants, jacket or not, etc. What are those same limits in Celsius? Yep -17.8°C, 10°C, and 37.8°C. How inconvenient. In fact over much of the civilized world 0°F and 100°F are the typical limits of temperatures. Sure you'll get the occasional peak over that, but not by far.
[*]When should you consider seeing a doctor? Above 100°F. Great and easy number to remember. In Celsius that is 37.8°C - not easy to remember.
[*]Both have well defined and simple to measure limits at 0°C and 0°F. There is no benefit there.

that the most idiotic thing i've ever read... first two points are completly arbitrary and i will bet you money that you CANNOT tell the diff of temperature of 1degree Fahrenheit.

Your point about common use is just plain wrong. Fahrenheit designated his scale as foollows:
0 - coldest temperature he could achieve at the time (completly useless and arbitrary)
100 - body temperature (except he was off by a degree)

So basically this scale is based on two fvckups.

Celsius 0 - freezing 100 - boiling water. Normal body temp is 36 degrees.