-----Original Message----- From: Pat Naughtin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: April 27, 2002 22:41 Subject: [USMA:19723] Re: Answer from MT editors
>Dear Han and All, > >This same process happened in Australia as well. As the computer revolution >hit our shores it bought with it such incredibly inefficient things as: > >11 inch by 210 mm paper >computer points as opposed to printers points >date formats from the USA >screen sizes in nominal inches > >Fortunately, the paper issue has gone away (to be universally replaced by >A4), but unfortunately the other issues are still with us. > >I think fairly often of the riddle: > >Q How many computer engineers does it take to change a light bulb? > >A None, they simply define darkness as the new standard. > >I know that this is unkind to computer engineers � both software and >hardware � because they simply are working in an environment where they >often have no knowledge of standards so they have to make some up. > >Unfortunately, they also seem to be completely unaware that others (such as >scientists and mechanical, civil, and chemical engineers) have spent >hundreds of years devising and refining standards that make all of our lives >simpler and easier. > >I think that the basis of our frustration with computer engineers rests on >their apparent ignorance of even the most basic knowledge of standards. Two >of my favorites are the redefinition of the printer's point as the computer >point and the decision of Microsoft to divide centimetres into quarters. Please add my favorite: their ignorance (or ignoring) of rational standards relating to the documentation of the date. Duncan > >Cheers, > >Pat Naughtin >CAMS - Certified Advanced Metrication Specialist > - United States Metric Association >ASM - Accredited Speaking Member > - National Speakers Association of Australia >Member, International Federation for Professional Speakers >on 2002/04/26 18.19, Han Maenen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >
