The Moon

usn_skwerl · Nov 1, 2007

i so hate metric... *sigh* The first manned craft was built in part by an american aircraft company. the _only_ aircraft co. to use metric is airbus.[/minor complaint] <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 2, 2007

As it should be. Much less chance for a bad conversion. In this case, the rest of the world isn't wrong, we are. IMHOWIOCR <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

onesmallstep · Nov 2, 2007

MW: Much less chance for a bad conversion. Baloney...The metric's base ten conversions sounded good when it was developed, but the invention of the pocket calculator has leveled the playing field. With the push of a button I can convert feet to miles as easily as you can convert Ms to KMs. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 2, 2007

Birst of all it's Balony or Bologna <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> And second, many metric conversions can be done in your head for verification. If you try that with the English system, your head might explode <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

adrenalynn · Nov 2, 2007

I'll take that bet. You start with your calculator in your pocket and I'll start with my brain in my head, and let's see if you can convert feet to miles as fast as I can convert meters to kilometers. Let's say a thousand dollar bet, and to make it interesting, I'll pay five to one. And you won't take that bet, because there is absolutely no way you can pull the calculator out of your pocket, turn it on, type in an arbitrary number and hit the conversion key (forget multiplying by 5280) faster than I can blurt out the same number I started with with a few zeros slapped on it. That's a silly argument. It's further silly to contend that you always have some 5000 function (gotta take all those conversions into account) calculator in some quick release rig upon your person. Even if you have a good cell phone calculator - it's slow. Mine does all kinds of conversions. After I hit menu, extras, conversion calculator, select [wait for java to load..........] and then type the number on the tiny keypad, hit options, select the conversion. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 2, 2007

"Let's say a thousand dollar bet" ROFL, love it <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Could have been $932.45.826649 <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

adrenalynn · Nov 2, 2007

[OT Aside:] I actually had someone take a sizable bet on a forum once. There was a mutually trustworthy moderator near him - so I traveled to their location for the bet. It wasn't nearly worth it other than to prove a point. But it was a lot of fun, and several of us got to have a few adult beverages, a great argument, and basically de-dehumanize the forum exchange a bit. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

onesmallstep · Nov 2, 2007

MW: First of all, it's first not Birst. Adrenalynn: Okay, quick...convert 1 megapascal to newtons/square meter. Times up! I win, you can mail me the $5000 bucks. Chances are if more than two zeros are involved, you're going to pull out the ole calc anyway. If yours is too complicated you can get a $5.00 model at Walmart that works just fine.<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 2, 2007

OK quick, convert 1 millibar to PSI. I'll bet the previous calculation will be done Bwicker even if you have a colculator. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

onesmallstep · Nov 2, 2007

1 millibar = 0.014503774 pound/square inch bars are metric, psi is english. Mixing the two is even more trouble. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

adrenalynn · Nov 2, 2007

Firstly - the bet/statement (which it appears you have now edited in your first post?) was m to km. Second - I did your conversion instantly. It was a trivial example. They are equivalent. 1 pascal = 1 newton/sq-m. Mega = Million. The conversion was completed as fast as I read it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

onesmallstep · Nov 2, 2007

Well that one was too easy....no, I did not edit my post. I just used different metric units in my bet scenario. They're all easy...right? Try this one: 1 zettagram to femtograms. If you say you did this one in your head you have to be cheating.<img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

adrenalynn · Nov 2, 2007

you have to be cheating No, you see, your big mistake is in thinking these are tough. They're simply orders of magnitude. Trivial. You just have to know the names of the bases. Which are so wild they're easy to memorize. milli, micro, nano, pico, femto, atto, zepto, yocto. It's just a few zeros. They're all just a few zeros. That's what makes it so easy. Just tack a few more on and we get to pico. A few more - and we're at nano. A few more and we're at micro. Rinse, lather, repeat. Now, I want a photograph of your pocket calculator that will do a conversion from 65000 scruples to troy doites and from 7150 troy doites to short hundredweights. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

PistolPete · Nov 2, 2007

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />Let's say a thousand dollar bet...<hr /></blockquote> That would be one kilodollar. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> So, again we are defeated. This victory belongs to the farmers, not us.-Kambei Shimada from the movie Seven Samurai </div>

onesmallstep · Nov 2, 2007

Here is the picture of my calculator: http://www.onlineconversion.com/ But I must admit, the doites one stumped it...had to google that to find out what it is. Anyway, I don't think being the fastest with the conversions is the point...it's about being correct. (Just ask the Mars Climate Orbiter team.) My point is that the calculator can divide by 12 just as easy as it can divide by 10, therefore there is no real advantage to the metric system anymore. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · Nov 2, 2007

I have really started something here, have'nt I <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> . Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

kelvinzero · Nov 2, 2007

brings to mind this oldy: http://www.astrodigital.org/space/stshorse.html And didnt the meter come from something just as silly, like frenchmen marching to the north pole or something?

adrenalynn · Nov 3, 2007

So when your Internet connection is down, or you're in the field away from real computing power, you're completely hosed. Nice. I work in the "real world". I can't rely on an online convertor - or even necessarily having batteries that aren't flat. I need to be able to get accurate numbers *now*. This time, that time, every time. Nearly the only people that haven't adopted the metric system are those that don't work in large real-world numbers, or are near-death hold-outs. The metric system is not even close to having lived-out its necessity. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 3, 2007

I think it's interesting that despite the US disuse of the Metric system, when it comes to the precision movements necessary to keep Scott P safe, or avoind damaging the solar array he is repairing, he is requesting his movements in Centimeters <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

billslugg · Nov 3, 2007

The meter was originally one ten millionth the distance from the North Pole to Paris. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

jasonpply · Nov 3, 2007

so what were those dark spots on the moon again lol

MeteorWayne · Nov 3, 2007

<img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

adrenalynn · Nov 3, 2007

Perfect time to slap that lunar filter on the 12.5 and drop it in your new scope, Jason. Just about perfect phase to get the sharpest relief in your new scope. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

onesmallstep · Nov 4, 2007

Adrenalynn: Personally, I donâ€™t give a ratâ€™s rear end what measurement system you use. You seem to have some strong personal agenda for the metric systemâ€¦fine. You even have the silly-assed prefixes memorized and Iâ€™m duly impressed. But Iâ€™m telling you the metric system will never fly in this country. It was supposed to replace the english system back in the 1970s, but it fizzled. Here english units are too strongly entrenched and will never be replaced by your beloved metrics. The whole selling point was supposed to be the easy base ten conversions; well the invention of the calculator rendered that irrelevant and is one reason why it never caught on. You can argue with me all you want, but this is fact. If you donâ€™t understand this, then you are the one not living in the real world. There may be some industries that are forced to use metrics, most likely if they do business overseas; maybe you are in one of those. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

onesmallstep · Nov 4, 2007

MW: Your inference that centimeters are more accurate or precise shows a fundamental lack of understanding. Measurements can be made just as precisely and accurately in inches as they can in centimeters. The level of precision and accuracy is actually irrelevant to the system being used. Yes the space industry does use the metric system. They are forced to because they must interface with all of the overseas hardware that is manufactured using metrics. It doesnâ€™t mean one system is better or more accurate than another. It just means that it is easier for all the hardware to interface and work properly if everyone is speaking the same language. Things get extremely hosed up when the two systems are mixedâ€¦see Mars Climate Orbiter result. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

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