[USMA:14954] Cleveland PD article
2001-08-19 An article in the business section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer entitled: INTEL BULKS UP FOR TECHNOLOGY REBOUND by Newhouse News Service has a photo with the following description: Andy Grove, shown reflected in Intel's latest 300 mm wafer at company headquarters, turn Intel from a company with revenues of 1.3 G$ in 1986 to a 21 G$ behemoth. The photo was provided by AP. But, the important thing is, the description of the wafer was 300 mm (shown as 300mm) and nothing else. John
[USMA:14955] Starbucks
I refuse to use these places, but I found an article on the Guardian Web site (http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4232490,00.html) which contains the following: Welcome to www.ihatestarbucks.com, where you can have a global gripe about the coffee chain you love to hate, and give it a good kicking in the company of disgruntled independent cafe patrons, terminated partners, ex-baristas, anti-globalisation activists and the massed (and swelling) international ranks of people who find themselves distinctly underwhelmed by the prospect of a decaff, tall, low-fat, extra-whip, crème-de-menthe mocha with a chai spice muffin. Each contributor to the I Hate Starbucks messageboard has a different bugbear. Several want to know why Starbucks uses Italian words such as barista (Italian for barman) when its largest market, the US, is English-speaking. Does this translate as: 'Ha, ha, you've paid $4 for a mocha'? one asks. An ex-barista, who worked in an outlet in a Manhattan bookstore, reports that many of this presumably literate clientele now think venti means large in Italian, not 20, because Starbucks uses it as the name for its largest coffee. (The venti is actually a 20fl oz measure - though the chain likes to talk Italian, it still counts in imperial, not metric, units.) Chris
[USMA:14956] Re: ENGLAND
Re: England Steve Thoburn was convicted of weighing a pound of bananas on 2001-04-09, and lodged his appeal the next day. His appeal is due to be heard on 2001-11-19 and is scheduled to last five days. Two other tradesmen, John Dove (a fishmonger) and Julian Harman (a fruitseller) were before the courts on 2001-06-13. I understand that both were also convicted (and presumably appealing their convictions). Interestingly enough, 33% of people have voted in favour of the kilogram on Thoburn's own website (http://www.metricmartyrs.com). 3% it seems don't care what system is used for weighing their bananas. Regards, Victor FitzPatrick == -- Get your firstname@lastname email for FREE at http://Nameplanet.com/?su
[USMA:14957] Re: ENGLAND
It is interesting that there are different perceptions of measurement and currency. If I am caught trying to use unlawful US currency (counterfeit, let's say), I get the attention of the Secret Service PDQ. But, when the day comes that the US rejects all but the International System of Units as its standard of weights and measures, will an American Thoburn come along who tries to persist in using pounds at his butcher shop? and, if so, will it be perceived as unpopularly as counterfeiting the currency, or will a tide of sentimental popular support flow in? Perhaps it will not. All Americans know no other US currency but the US dollar, but Future Shock may goad the people to come to the aid of the Steven Thoburn of the United States---unless of course, they will have been otherwise pre-inspired to appreciate the virtues of the metric system. Just my two centidollars. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Re: England Steve Thoburn was convicted of weighing a pound of bananas on 2001-04-09, and lodged his appeal the next day. His appeal is due to be heard on 2001-11-19 and is scheduled to last five days. Two other tradesmen, John Dove (a fishmonger) and Julian Harman (a fruitseller) were before the courts on 2001-06-13. I understand that both were also convicted (and presumably appealing their convictions). Interestingly enough, 33% of people have voted in favour of the kilogram on Thoburn's own website (http://www.metricmartyrs.com). 3% it seems don't care what system is used for weighing their bananas. Regards, Victor FitzPatrick == -- Paul Trusten, R.Ph. 3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apt. 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 USA (915)-694-6208 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[USMA:14959] whoops
I meant, in the below, Will a tide of sentimental popular support flow in? Perhaps it WILL. Paul Trusten wrote: It is interesting that there are different perceptions of measurement and currency. If I am caught trying to use unlawful US currency (counterfeit, let's say), I get the attention of the Secret Service PDQ. But, when the day comes that the US rejects all but the International System of Units as its standard of weights and measures, will an American Thoburn come along who tries to persist in using pounds at his butcher shop? and, if so, will it be perceived as unpopularly as counterfeiting the currency, or will a tide of sentimental popular support flow in? Perhaps it will not. All Americans know no other US currency but the US dollar, but Future Shock may goad the people to come to the aid of the Steven Thoburn of the United States---unless of course, they will have been otherwise pre-inspired to appreciate the virtues of the metric system. Just my two centidollars. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Re: England Steve Thoburn was convicted of weighing a pound of bananas on 2001-04-09, and lodged his appeal the next day. His appeal is due to be heard on 2001-11-19 and is scheduled to last five days. Two other tradesmen, John Dove (a fishmonger) and Julian Harman (a fruitseller) were before the courts on 2001-06-13. I understand that both were also convicted (and presumably appealing their convictions). Interestingly enough, 33% of people have voted in favour of the kilogram on Thoburn's own website (http://www.metricmartyrs.com). 3% it seems don't care what system is used for weighing their bananas. Regards, Victor FitzPatrick == -- Paul Trusten, R.Ph. 3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apt. 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 USA (915)-694-6208 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[USMA:14960] Re: ENGLAND
Paul: A lawyer would make mincemeat of your argument. If I pay you, in my house, with counterfeit currency, I am breaking the law. If, within my house, you and I agree that I will sell you a pound of something for an agreed price and we follow through with the transaction (using legal currency), no law is broken. Of course, that isn't trade in the open market, but I do think it highlights the difference between counterfeit currency and not legal for trade units of measure. One is both illegal and dishonest; the other is illegal but honest. Having said that, I'm just as much in favor of having all commercial trade in SI units as you are. As we've discussed here, at length, SI is much more consumer-friendly and consumer-protective. Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Paul Trusten Sent: August 19, 2001 11:11 To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:14957] Re: ENGLAND It is interesting that there are different perceptions of measurement and currency. If I am caught trying to use unlawful US currency (counterfeit, let's say), I get the attention of the Secret Service PDQ. But, when the day comes that the US rejects all but the International System of Units as its standard of weights and measures, will an American Thoburn come along who tries to persist in using pounds at his butcher shop? and, if so, will it be perceived as unpopularly as counterfeiting the currency, or will a tide of sentimental popular support flow in? Perhaps it will not. All Americans know no other US currency but the US dollar, but Future Shock may goad the people to come to the aid of the Steven Thoburn of the United States---unless of course, they will have been otherwise pre-inspired to appreciate the virtues of the metric system. Just my two centidollars. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Re: England Steve Thoburn was convicted of weighing a pound of bananas on 2001-04-09, and lodged his appeal the next day. His appeal is due to be heard on 2001-11-19 and is scheduled to last five days. Two other tradesmen, John Dove (a fishmonger) and Julian Harman (a fruitseller) were before the courts on 2001-06-13. I understand that both were also convicted (and presumably appealing their convictions). Interestingly enough, 33% of people have voted in favour of the kilogram on Thoburn's own website (http://www.metricmartyrs.com). 3% it seems don't care what system is used for weighing their bananas. Regards, Victor FitzPatrick == -- Paul Trusten, R.Ph. 3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apt. 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 USA (915)-694-6208 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[USMA:14961] Re: ENGLAND
I wrote: A lawyer would make mincemeat of your argument. If I pay you, in my house, with counterfeit currency, I am breaking the law. If, within my house, you and I agree that I will sell you a pound of something for an agreed price and we follow through with the transaction (using legal currency), no law is broken. I should have added, unless what I'm selling you is either a controlled substance or something that is not mine to sell. g Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]
[USMA:14962] Re: ENGLAND
Neil Herron of the Metric Martyrs has also won a small and hollow victory against Sunderland city council by bringing to light apparently illegal road signs that read in metres and kilometres. The ones that read in kilometres signposted the way to a tiny village near Sunderland and their 'illegality' I feel is open to question as this is a 'restricted' road and therefore some doubt as to whether they are covered by regulations for the Queens highway. As it is, the council were embarrassed into removing these signs and replacing them with the imperial equivalents. The signs that read 'Public Footpath - Old Burdon - 1 1/2 km' were replaced with 'Public Footpath - Old Burdon - 500 yards. The signs in question had stood for more than a quarter of a century without (to my best knowledge) a single complaint from anyone. His hypocrisy is, of course, staggering!! He lambasts the council for breaking the law, then actively encourages other people to break the law. The story was only reported mainly in our local press and received very little national attention. It is apparent that they are having great difficulty keeping this cause in the public eye. The November appeal is no doubt a last ditch attempt to get this stupidity back into national prominence and garner public sympathy again. I call it stupidity as they risk losing thousands of pounds if their appeal fails, which it almost certainly will. Regards, Steve. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: Bill Potts [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: U.S. Metric Association [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001 7:43 PM Subject: [USMA:14961] Re: ENGLAND I wrote: A lawyer would make mincemeat of your argument. If I pay you, in my house, with counterfeit currency, I am breaking the law. If, within my house, you and I agree that I will sell you a pound of something for an agreed price and we follow through with the transaction (using legal currency), no law is broken. I should have added, unless what I'm selling you is either a controlled substance or something that is not mine to sell. g Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]
[USMA:14963] Re: ENGLAND
Paul, What you say is quite interesting. Here in Ireland there is no sentimental attachment to Imperial. My American friends and relatives understand SI very well, but are just quite content to stick with what they are used to - the usual reaction of any person to a change-over. I've never sensed that they had any ideological problem with metric - I'm sure most Americans would feel the same way. I suppose it all depends on how a change-over is handled. Perhaps the British government has been over-zealous? The other extreme of course is doing nothing, and getting nowhere fast. Victor FitzPatrick On Sun, 19 Aug 2001 13:38:28 -0500 Paul Trusten [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I meant, in the below, Will a tide of sentimental popular support flow in? Perhaps it WILL. Paul Trusten wrote: It is interesting that there are different perceptions of measurement and currency. If I am caught trying to use unlawful US currency (counterfeit, let's say), I get the attention of the Secret Service PDQ. But, when the day comes that the US rejects all but the International System of Units as its standard of weights and measures, will an American Thoburn come along who tries to persist in using pounds at his butcher shop? and, if so, will it be perceived as unpopularly as counterfeiting the currency, or will a tide of sentimental popular support flow in? Perhaps it will not. All Americans know no other US currency but the US dollar, but Future Shock may goad the people to come to the aid of the Steven Thoburn of the United States---unless of course, they will have been otherwise pre-inspired to appreciate the virtues of the metric system. Just my two centidollars. -- Get your firstname@lastname email for FREE at http://Nameplanet.com/?su
[USMA:14964] Starbucks
Does Starbucks serve everything in disposal cups in the U.K., as it does in the U.S.? This feature of its business practices puts me off as much as its measurement units. For $4 (or anything over $1, actually) I expect a real cup, and I have always imagined there'd be more like me in Europe. Chris Original Message Subject: [USMA:14955] Starbucks Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 16:30:53 +0100 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: UK Metrication Association To: U.S. Metric Association [EMAIL PROTECTED] I refuse to use these places, but I found an article on the Guardian Web site (http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4232490,00.html) which contains the following: Welcome to www.ihatestarbucks.com, where you can have a global gripe about the coffee chain you love to hate, and give it a good kicking in the company of disgruntled independent cafe patrons, terminated partners, ex-baristas, anti-globalisation activists and the massed (and swelling) international ranks of people who find themselves distinctly underwhelmed by the prospect of a decaff, tall, low-fat, extra-whip, crème-de-menthe mocha with a chai spice muffin. Each contributor to the I Hate Starbucks messageboard has a different bugbear. Several want to know why Starbucks uses Italian words such as barista (Italian for barman) when its largest market, the US, is English-speaking. Does this translate as: 'Ha, ha, you've paid $4 for a mocha'? one asks. An ex-barista, who worked in an outlet in a Manhattan bookstore, reports that many of this presumably literate clientele now think venti means large in Italian, not 20, because Starbucks uses it as the name for its largest coffee. (The venti is actually a 20fl oz measure - though the chain likes to talk Italian, it still counts in imperial, not metric, units.) Chris
[USMA:14965] RE: Starbucks
If you're going to drink the coffee right there, you have a choice of disposable cups or porcelain mugs. However, I'm not sure if all their customers are aware of that. Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Chris Marnay Sent: August 19, 2001 15:21 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:14964] Starbucks Does Starbucks serve everything in disposal cups in the U.K., as it does in the U.S.? This feature of its business practices puts me off as much as its measurement units. For $4 (or anything over $1, actually) I expect a real cup, and I have always imagined there'd be more like me in Europe. Chris Original Message Subject: [USMA:14955] Starbucks Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 16:30:53 +0100 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: UK Metrication Association To: U.S. Metric Association [EMAIL PROTECTED] I refuse to use these places, but I found an article on the Guardian Web site (http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4232490,00.html) which contains the following: Welcome to www.ihatestarbucks.com, where you can have a global gripe about the coffee chain you love to hate, and give it a good kicking in the company of disgruntled independent cafe patrons, terminated partners, ex-baristas, anti-globalisation activists and the massed (and swelling) international ranks of people who find themselves distinctly underwhelmed by the prospect of a decaff, tall, low-fat, extra-whip, crème-de-menthe mocha with a chai spice muffin. Each contributor to the I Hate Starbucks messageboard has a different bugbear. Several want to know why Starbucks uses Italian words such as barista (Italian for barman) when its largest market, the US, is English-speaking. Does this translate as: 'Ha, ha, you've paid $4 for a mocha'? one asks. An ex-barista, who worked in an outlet in a Manhattan bookstore, reports that many of this presumably literate clientele now think venti means large in Italian, not 20, because Starbucks uses it as the name for its largest coffee. (The venti is actually a 20fl oz measure - though the chain likes to talk Italian, it still counts in imperial, not metric, units.) Chris
[USMA:14966] Re: ENGLAND
From: Stephen Davis [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: U.S. Metric Association [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: August 19, 2001 16:59 Subject: [USMA:14962] Re: ENGLAND Neil Herron of the Metric Martyrs has also won a small and hollow victory against Sunderland city council by bringing to light apparently illegal road signs that read in metres and kilometres. The ones that read in kilometres signposted the way to a tiny village near Sunderland and their 'illegality' I feel is open to question as this is a 'restricted' road and therefore some doubt as to whether they are covered by regulations for the Queens highway. As it is, the council were embarrassed into removing these signs and replacing them with the imperial equivalents. The signs that read 'Public Footpath - Old Burdon - 1 1/2 km' were replaced with 'Public Footpath - Old Burdon - 500 yards. When was the last time the distance was actually measured? 1 1/2 km [or 1.5 km] does not translate into 500 yards. That is unless there is, yet, another imperial measure coming to light. Duncan The signs in question had stood for more than a quarter of a century without (to my best knowledge) a single complaint from anyone. His hypocrisy is, of course, staggering!! He lambasts the council for breaking the law, then actively encourages other people to break the law. The story was only reported mainly in our local press and received very little national attention. It is apparent that they are having great difficulty keeping this cause in the public eye. The November appeal is no doubt a last ditch attempt to get this stupidity back into national prominence and garner public sympathy again. I call it stupidity as they risk losing thousands of pounds if their appeal fails, which it almost certainly will. Regards, Steve. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: Bill Potts [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: U.S. Metric Association [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001 7:43 PM Subject: [USMA:14961] Re: ENGLAND I wrote: A lawyer would make mincemeat of your argument. If I pay you, in my house, with counterfeit currency, I am breaking the law. If, within my house, you and I agree that I will sell you a pound of something for an agreed price and we follow through with the transaction (using legal currency), no law is broken. I should have added, unless what I'm selling you is either a controlled substance or something that is not mine to sell. g Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]
