Floppy disks are described as 3.5 inches. But, which of its 3 dimensions is really 3.5 inches?

The standard defining these diskettes - ISO/IEC 9529-1 - defines their dimensions as 90.0 mm x 94.0 mm x 3.3 mm.

Opponents of metric claim that if a floppy is to be metricated, the 3.5 inch would have to be called an 88.9 mm. Yet, no part of the floppy is 88.9 mm. Why not just call it a 90 mm floppy to reflect its true dimensions?

Do imperialists consider the CD-ROM and DVD an imperial device or metric? Its size is also controlled by an ISO/IEC spec. It's diameter being exactly 120 mm and the hole being exactly 15 mm. There is also an 80 mm mini CD.

Does calling a metric product by an inch name make it an inch product?

re (Euric): "Does calling a metric product by an inch name make it an inch product?"

REPLY: No. But it makes it easier for 90% of the country to understand its size

What about the world? From reasding some of the posts, it seems the British understand both imperial and metric. So why is there a problem with products with a metric only description?

<<
So why is there a problem with products with a metric only description?
>>

There isn't.
But why is there a problem with imperial measurements for those countries that generally prefer them? Why is there a problem with dual labeling?

There are a couple of reasons why dual labelling is undersirable.

1.) It clutters the label. What looks better:

1 L or 1 L (1 QT 1.8 FL oz) 33.8 FL oz

2.) Labels that have USC/imperial have restricted market space. For example: Labels from the US that say pint, quart or gallon with the US meaning intended are not legal for use in Canada. I'm not sure if Canadian laws allow the old units on labels. But if they do, the laws don't permit the US versions.

And vice-versa imperial units are not legal in the US.

Metric labels are acceptable almost everywhere and mean the same thing in all markets. Those who prefer imperial or USC units can learn to calculate if they really need to know.

there's very little need though.

Not with everyone so literate in imperial

>>>>>>Not with everyone so literate in imperial


This statement is completely false. Numerous tests and surveys show that the vast majority of the population of people in imperial countries DON'T understand the "system".

Even an informal survey done by someone who posted to this forum asked some associates and not one knew even the simplist of unit relations.

On site tests were done in Canadian shopping malls in the '70s at the time of metrication. A booth was set up with information on metrication. Also set up were various objects, where people could guess the object's size in any unit they felt comfortable with. Of course at the time, people chose imperial units, which was good, because the guesses on the sizes were way off. It was meant to prove that people did not know imperial as they claimed to.

Steve assumes because he made a big effort to be imperial numerate that everyone else did too. A very bad assumption on Steve's part.

No not really (in extreme)

Although I am literate in both UK and metric measures if you go up to the average UK 25yr old and ask them to use their fingers to show 12inches (or 1 foot, you can say either) they will immediately get it "about" right. Ask them to do the same with 50cm or 0.5m and I bet they'd be way out, but will be waving their fingers about trying to guesstimate!

Try it today with someone on the avg UK street.

Ah no, you can't can you? You neither live or visit the UK. You just tell us "how it is" here!

SteveH wrote

<<
Ask them to do the same with 50cm
>>

In such circumstances I would show you my forearm - it is about 495 mm from my elbow to the tip of my forefinger. (There, in the last minute, I have just double-checked to make sure).

Unfortunately if you ask the avg brit way 495mm was in cm they would sit there trying to work it out.

I say "unfortunate" because like it or hate it the metric system exists and thus should be understood as part of basic literacy.

I wonder if some of you metric sorts could say that in reverse? I mean, it is the main reason why imperial was reintroduced into the curriculum in the 90's.

Can you make yourself say that - in reverse? (I know *some* of the more "pro-choice" elements can)

SteveH wrote

<<
I wonder if some of you metric sorts could say that in reverse? I mean, it is the main reason why imperial was reintroduced into the curriculum in the 90's.
>>

to try and compensate for the damage done by Mrs THatcher when she disbanded the Metrication Board.

Euric: "Metric labels are acceptable almost everywhere and mean the same thing in all markets. Those who prefer imperial or USC units can learn to calculate if they really need to know. "

One could use the latter argument the other way.

What's wrong with products labeled in only U.S. Customary or Imperial measures? Those who prefer metric can learn to calculate it if they really want to know.

By the way, on floppy disk sizes, try measuring the exact, actual size of a 5-1/4" floppy.

Paul! There's that can of worms thing again!!!!

While we're at it I shall partake in the de-canning of our wriggly friends: "Soccer is imperial"

"to try and compensate for the damage done by Mrs THatcher when she disbanded the Metrication Board"

Errr, sounds like sour grapes!

(God Bless Mrs T!!)

While we're at it I shall partake in the de-canning of our wriggly friends: "Soccer is imperial"

******Hmmm. Not only is that news to me, it is also news to the FIFA. When I go to the official website of the football federation all I see id metric.

One can go to this link and download the laws of the game. Don't look for imperial, you won't find any.


http://www.fifa.com/en/game/laws.html

Re: Floppy Disks November 26 2003, 8:40 AM

Euric: "Metric labels are acceptable almost everywhere and mean the same thing in all markets. Those who prefer imperial or USC units can learn to calculate if they really need to know. "

One could use the latter argument the other way.

What's wrong with products labeled in only U.S. Customary or Imperial measures? Those who prefer metric can learn to calculate it if they really want to know.

***** Not when 95 % of the world is metric. The majority rules. Let the minority have to deal with metric only.


By the way, on floppy disk sizes, try measuring the exact, actual size of a 5-1/4" floppy.

***** Yes, they were USC. They were never built to an ISO/IEC spec. and they are now completely obsolete.

Which brings something to my attention. Did you know that pin spacings on ICs, were once in rational inches and are now in rational millimetres?

When the industry was American controlled, it was all in USC. Then the Asians took over. And with them came metrication. We have them to thank for 90 mm floppies, and metric hardware holding PCs together. No more #6 screws, now all M3.5

Before 1990, JEDEC rules on pin spacings had dimensions in hundreds of inches. Like 0.1 and 0.05 inches. Of course, converting these numbers to metric came out with funny numbers.

By the time the 0.025 spacings would have hit the industry, JEDEC changed the rules. The new rules state that pins must be spaced in millimetres to no finer then 2 decimal places and the 2-nd decimal must be a 0 or a 5.

0.25 inches would be 0.635 mm. But, this violated the rules, so the spacing became 0.65 mm. Now it is common to find 0.5 mm. Not only on IC chips but on all sorts of terminal connections.

See:
http://www.smk.co.jp/smke/new/html/539cs-e.html

http://www.taewung.com/smk/FPC%20Con.html

Now 0.4 mm has arrived:

http://www.smk.co.jp/smke/new/html/604cs-e.html

Even the old inch based terminal connectors are gone and have been replaced by metric. The 0.2 in (5.08 mm) is obsolete with the 5 mm haven taken over.

The reality is, that inches have been phased out of the inner workings of computers in both design, engineering and manufacturing. Millimetres have replaced them.

Metrication is still taking place in many industries, but the general movement is towards full metric and away from imperial.

The point about disk sizes, IC pin spacing, or any other technical specification is simply that both Imperial and metric dimensions work just as well. We specify the actual numbers to be suitable for whichever system is in use, so that we work with convenient figures.

The irrationality arises where an existing specification is changed directly to metric just for the sake of trying to make it APPEAR to be metric.

Hence the examples I quoted elsewhere, such as 1/4" jack plugs which are now listed as 6.35mm plugs by some suppliers, and tape being specified as 12.7mm instead of 1/2 inch.

This is what I've had to put up with folks!

The FIFA rules show rounded yards (and feet) and quirky metric equivelents.

Poor old Jason has a real hard time when he hears the word "yard" being used when the Socceroos are playing.