> Some time ago on this list, we discussed dual operation scales. Those are > the scales that can read in both pounds and kilograms. I think most of > the Americans on the list assumed these scales were digital, as that is > what we are use to here.
Small market traders can operate out of doors with no power supply. Many do have power and you can have battery power. However, the outdoor environment makes them more inclined to using older technology. I still see outdoors scales with lump weights being used that would be probably be recognised by Napoleon. >Those that might be dual type would have to be switched internally. Not necessarily. I don't know about commercial scales, but domestic ones often have an external switch. >I believe later on someone mentioned that these dual scales are the old >analogue type. And these are legal as long as they have kilograms shown >on them. Which defeats the purpose of going metric as the metric readings >can be ignored. Which brings to mind some questions and ideas. > > Are these types of scales still being made, or are they just remnants from > the past? Does the British law make these scales only legal until 2010, > after which the vendor must convert to a metric only scale? Is there any > move to get British vendors away from analogue scales an go completely > digital? If not, would doing so end the situation of some vendors using > or trying to use imperial or dual scales? As far as I am aware, the law does not prohibit imperial on scales. The law only made metric compulsory. I tried to read the regulations carefully but I couldn't confirm or deny this. It is an interesting question. Pro-metric regulation is often portrayed as anti-imperial. It is not always the case and it is not always necessary. The choice of analogue or digital is almost certainly not even regulated. I do know that scale manufacturers have been preparing for conversion for years. The digital ones have been made capable of simple software updates and simple label changes. The manufacturers often sell to several countries so probably were doing this anyway. There have been comments from manufacturers that they are finding it increasingly difficult to get imperial scales calibrated because of <something>. > We know that the so-called martyrs are not going to obey the law as long > as they can use or can obtain dual calibrated scales. Thus the sooner > they can be removed from service, the sooner the stand-off will end. 'Die on the vine' appears to be an unstated part of the policy. I think everybody wants the problem to decay to nothing, particularly politicians, police and the judicial system. > Also, is there any movement to allow 500 g to be used as a pound for those > who still want to use pounds? Yikes! > Or to encourage vendors to vend out 500 g each time a pound is asked for? I suspect that any strategy of targeting Davids rather than Goliaths is going to be very difficult in image terms. > And Chris, when you go shopping, do you ever listen to other patrons and > see who asks for metric sizes and who asks for pounds? I do. Metric labels and metric sizes do appear to make a difference. > Did you ever think of > asking people in the shops if they would accept a 500 g pound to make > shopping easier? No I didn't. I do notice that hard metric sizes are more common. This is partly due to regulation, partly due to commercial pressure. >I'm sure if any patron has trouble with kilograms it is > because of the continued use and conversion between the 454 g pound and > the > kilogram. It is a possible factor, but not the only one. > The use of the 500 g pound would ease that trouble. Don't you > think so? It is a radical idea. I have personally never thought about it. I think a transaction that starts with a request for a 'pound' could end quite satisfactorily for both parties with 500g being dispensed. Whether it could be regulated or not is another question. It would not get my vote. -- Terry Simpson Human Factors Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.connected-systems.com Phone: +44 7850 511794
