Gee, you could tell them that they would be more accurate if they
claimed the optical discs were pi inches in diameter, rather than 3
inches in diameter. I make it out to be 3.149 606 inches, give or take.

Jim

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> Nintendo has a new game unit called Game Cube.  It uses 80 mm compact disks
> instead of a cartridge.  However, on their web site, they are callingi these
> "3 inch" disks.  I wrote to them about this and the dialogue follows.
> 
> Start reading from the bottom to get the discussion in order.
> 
> Pathetic.
> 
> Carleton
> 
> I hate to mention this but I did some checking.
> 
> ISO 9660 (ISO = International Standards Organization) specifies two sizes
> for compact disks; these are the only two sizes, and they are a worldwide
> standard:
> 
> 120 mm (music, DVD, computer software, etc.)
> 
> 80 mm (mini-CD, used for a variety of applications where size is an issue
> and lower capacity is OK)
> 
> Most CD players and computer disk readers have a smaller depression in the
> tray for the 80 mm disk.
> 
> The Game Cube uses the 80 mm disk.  I know because I opened one of the game
> packages and measured it; we also received a preview mini-CD from Nintendo
> (since my son subscribes to Nintendo GamePower) and I measured that also --
> 80 mm exactly.
> 
> There is absolutely no such thing called a "3-inch" CD.  Any description
> along those lines is a dumbing down of a worldwide standard for certain
> members of the American public, who probably understand the confusing and
> convoluted inch-pound measurement "system" even less than they do metric.
> Moreover, 3 inches (3 x 25.4 mm = 76.2 mm) isn't even close to 80 mm.
> 
> If you must, it's OK to describe the size of the game device itself in
> inches, since the size of the box isn't any kind of standard -- but not the
> disk in it.
> 
> You do your customers a disservice by incorrectly describing the disk media
> used in GameCube.
> 
> Carleton MacDonald
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 03:32
> To: MacDonald, Carleton
> Subject: Re : GameCube specs
> 
> Message(#6851-000028-4572\284572)
> 
> Hello,
> 
> We do not claim that Nintendo GameCube games are "CDs", as they are optical
> discs.  They are in fact, three inches in diameter, so they are smaller than
> normal CDs.  If someone told me something was 80 millimeters long, I would
> have no idea how long this is, but if you say something is three inches,
> then I can get a better picture.  Since the U.S. doesn't use "metric"
> measurements, there's no need for us to go into meters, centimeters, or
> millimeters.
> 
> Nintendo of America Inc.
> Stephen Scott
> 
> Nintendo's home page: http://www.nintendo.com/
> Power Line (Automated Product Info): (425) 885-7529
> 
> -----
> ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
> -----------------
> 
> From: "MacDonald, Carleton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Posted At: 12:15:02.000 12/11/2001
> Posted To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: GameCube specs
> 
> We got lucky and found a GameCube at a local store last weekend, so our kids
> will be quite happy in a couple of weeks.
> One minor issue with the specifications:
> Specifications for Nintendo's Next-Generation Console System
> Size: Approximate Height 4.3" / Width 5.9" / Depth 6.3".  Media: Three-inch
> NINTENDO GAMECUBE Disc based on Matsushita's Optical Disc Technology, with
> approx. 1.5GB Capacity.
> Comment:
> CD's come in only two standardized sizes:  80 mm (exactly) - used in Game
> Cube, and 120 mm (exactly) - audio/DVD etc.  There is no "three-inch" CD at
> all; they are purely metric, and always have been.  It would be good not to
> confuse the public by using an incorrect measurement, even though some may
> feel that Americans need it dumbed down for them.
> Carleton MacDonald

-- 
Metric Methods(SM)           "Don't be late to metricate!"
James R. Frysinger, CAMS     http://www.metricmethods.com/
10 Captiva Row               e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Charleston, SC 29407         phone/FAX:  843.225.6789

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