Hi all, Below is a copy of a letter sent to a leading Australian computer retailer who advertise heavily and (for some reason) is sticking to the use of inches for computer sizes. Will let you know if it does any good:-
Chief Advertising Officer, Harvey Norman P/L, A1 Richmond Rd, Flemington NSW 2140 2002-08-26 Dear Sir, Re: Use of non-metric measurements in your ads Why do we have to put up with the American measuring system in your ads? I refer to computer screen sizes, and it's surely no longer appropriate in this day and age to say, e.g. 17" as a size with no reference to the actual screen size or area in mm. TV screen sizes are advertised in cm so why not computer screen sizes? After all, the inch size is only a guide, similar to a type code, and a real size is what is needed. So 17" (for instance) should be quoted as a 328 x 251mm screen size. It would serve two major purposes in quoting the correct screen size - 1) It will give consumers a clear indication of what they're getting (i.e. the actual height and width), and 2) it would enhance your company's image very considerably in the eyes of technically-minded people in your taking the initiative to be a leader in this area of advertising. This country converted to the use of metrics many years ago and there's really no need to keep using the old system - our children are not that interested in having to learn the old system of measures. Yours sincerely, Michael R. Joy 8 John Place, Perth WA 6027 cc: Trading Standards Dept, ACCC USMA website listserv
