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As a random aside, nautical miles are actually used often in many areas of electrical engineering(specifically wireless communications and RADAR). This is because one NMI approximates one arcminute of curvature of the earth, and for whatever reason we still use degrees to describe circles and spheres. Regardless, it simplifies the conversions greatly when trying to calculate horizon.
Jalstar: Americans do science in Metric, but we still do engineering in American Customary Units(at least in any engineering I have seen in my 5 years of experience). It doesn't really matter in end, the design packages we use all convert to whatever we want, but it would cost a lot of money to convert all the drawings over. The other problem with switching over would be the weird numbers that would result. We generally try to use whole numbers to make jobs comprehensible for manufacturing, but when you convert to metric you suddenly go from 60 mils to 1.524 mm, and then that gets rounded to 1.525 or 1.53, and then you can hit stack-up problems if everyone switches a little bit.
You could argue that they could just switch to 1.524 mm, but their machinery probably doesn't have a setting for that. Even though it is equivalent to a American Customary value, you cant expect the machine shop you are getting a quote from to recognize that they should use their American Customary tooling as it will end up with the matching value, they will use the closet metric tooling they have if you send them a quote in metric units, and that will be rounded off.
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engineering in American Customary Units
I had no idea. I just felt very sorry for all my engineering major friends.
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On December 10 2011 17:43 jalstar wrote:I had no idea. I just felt very sorry for all my engineering major friends.
The unused half of my thermodynamics property tables book is "American Customary Units"
It's really uncomfortable to look at.
I'm glad I don't have to.
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Canadian, using Metric. Also love the band, Metric. ^^
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On December 10 2011 15:38 jalstar wrote:Show nested quote +On December 10 2011 14:58 Bobble wrote:On December 10 2011 14:29 Manit0u wrote:On December 10 2011 13:27 phant wrote:
Hey, the British made the units!
The British also started calling football soccer as well.
Americans get all the blame! You can tell me all the things you want but I'll never believe that the term 'soccer' was invented in UK. I don't think there's a more popular sport in UK (in the world (with proper Clarkson pause)) than football. A few FIFA affiliates have recently "normalized" to using "Football", including: - Australia's association football governing body changed its name in 2007 from using "soccer" to "football"
- New Zealand also changed in 2007, saying "the international game is called football."
- Samoa changed from "Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation" to "Football Federation Samoa" in 2009.
US of A, we're waiting for you... Also, Americans diverted from Imperial units quite a while ago... Well of course the soccer federations would want to be known as football, it doesn't change the fact that a lot of countries don't recognise the term. You ask any Australian what football is, and they'll respond either AFL or rugby (AFL is football though, you can't deny). Exactly, the UK is the only major native English speaking country to universally call soccer "football". The non-English speaking world calls it football because they learn British English in school, but America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have their own forms of football (although NZ's is rugby). As for Metric vs Standard, Metric is used in every US science class I've ever taken. I'm not even sure what the speed of gravity is in imperial/standard units. I think Europeans have some weird assumption that Americans do science in imperial units for some reason.
Hehe well, Americans do use the imperial system in engineering. I went to UT, in one of the courses we would switch between metric and imperial every second exercise..
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I don't really know why there is so much argument, I would've thought this matter is pretty conclusive and straight forward.
The metric system is obviously superior in every way, it's easier to calculate, convert and to work with. However for everyday uses, whatever system you are using is good enough because of familiarity.
Now, it is true that if the "science units" are the same as "everyday units", there is a bit of extra convenience there (like when Mythbusters measured certain things in grams, I imagine it's hard for the US viewers to fully get a feel of it), but you have to also consider all the costs and time involved to undertake this. Therefore the US has no plans to metricate, because although it's gonna make life a little bit easier, it'll be quite messy and complicated until then. So just feel lucky that your country decided to bite the bullet early and now you are brought up with a full grasp of the metric system.
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On December 09 2011 13:32 Keyboard Warrior wrote:
1. Standard goes more naturally with fractions - quarter of a pint, half foot, etc. Technically, you don't say half meter but rather 50 centimeters or 500 millimeters.
2. Standard units are more practical and convenient. No one goes to the grocery to buy 400ml drink, instead, they buy it in 12 ounces. No one buys 5 meters of wood, instead, they buy it is 1x1x12, all in feet.
1. Not really, we say half a meter all the time, half a kilometer, etc. Plus it definitely doesn't go any better with fractions especially since there's a non 10 factor of conversion between some units, so it's actually harder to convert between fractions of different units for the same dimension.
2. Actually we do buy wood in m^3. You would say, I need 5 m^3 of wood. And that's it. If you need specific dimensions for planks of something, then you say I need 30cmx4cmx3m planks (or you can say 300 cm for the last) or something.
I my country, and in many others, you usually have 1l of milk to buy. 1 l = 1 dm^3 (decimeter^3)
Also your point about pints, we have glasses that are 1/2 l, 1/5 l etc. bottles 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1, 0.5 l etc.
So all your points are invalid from our point of view. 
It's mostly about getting used to it and being raised from the childhood with these values. In most cases, the pure metric system of units is advantageous.
If your country switched to metric, I'm pretty sure that in just one year everyone would be relatively comfortable with metric system, and in 5 years people would start forgetting the imperial/old system. It's similar to countries changing their monetary unit, my country changed a few so I know. Yes, changing the whole system of units is a bit harder, but it's not much different than changing the monetary unit.
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On December 10 2011 15:38 jalstar wrote:Show nested quote +On December 10 2011 14:58 Bobble wrote:On December 10 2011 14:29 Manit0u wrote:On December 10 2011 13:27 phant wrote:
Hey, the British made the units!
The British also started calling football soccer as well.
Americans get all the blame! You can tell me all the things you want but I'll never believe that the term 'soccer' was invented in UK. I don't think there's a more popular sport in UK (in the world (with proper Clarkson pause)) than football. A few FIFA affiliates have recently "normalized" to using "Football", including: - Australia's association football governing body changed its name in 2007 from using "soccer" to "football"
- New Zealand also changed in 2007, saying "the international game is called football."
- Samoa changed from "Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation" to "Football Federation Samoa" in 2009.
US of A, we're waiting for you... Also, Americans diverted from Imperial units quite a while ago... Well of course the soccer federations would want to be known as football, it doesn't change the fact that a lot of countries don't recognise the term. You ask any Australian what football is, and they'll respond either AFL or rugby (AFL is football though, you can't deny). Exactly, the UK is the only major native English speaking country to universally call soccer "football". The non-English speaking world calls it football because they learn British English in school, but America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have their own forms of football (although NZ's is rugby). As for Metric vs Standard, Metric is used in every US science class I've ever taken. I'm not even sure what the speed of gravity is in imperial/standard units. I think Europeans have some weird assumption that Americans do science in imperial units for some reason.
except the modern game of football existed before the modern american version of football -_-. i cant make up a new game today and call it "rugby" and say my sports name is just as valid as other rugby.
you are wrong in stating that countries around the world learn british english aswell. most countries in the world actually teach american english which helps spread the term soccer. they probably think they are teaching english because they dont know the difference, but after speaking to people from around the world who have learnt english at school, i can assure you they learn american.
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the imperial system will probably disappear in the future. just like the inferior roman number system did when the far superior arabic number system was introduced
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On December 10 2011 19:00 turdburgler wrote:Show nested quote +On December 10 2011 15:38 jalstar wrote:On December 10 2011 14:58 Bobble wrote:On December 10 2011 14:29 Manit0u wrote:On December 10 2011 13:27 phant wrote:
Hey, the British made the units!
The British also started calling football soccer as well.
Americans get all the blame! You can tell me all the things you want but I'll never believe that the term 'soccer' was invented in UK. I don't think there's a more popular sport in UK (in the world (with proper Clarkson pause)) than football. A few FIFA affiliates have recently "normalized" to using "Football", including: - Australia's association football governing body changed its name in 2007 from using "soccer" to "football"
- New Zealand also changed in 2007, saying "the international game is called football."
- Samoa changed from "Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation" to "Football Federation Samoa" in 2009.
US of A, we're waiting for you... Also, Americans diverted from Imperial units quite a while ago... Well of course the soccer federations would want to be known as football, it doesn't change the fact that a lot of countries don't recognise the term. You ask any Australian what football is, and they'll respond either AFL or rugby (AFL is football though, you can't deny). Exactly, the UK is the only major native English speaking country to universally call soccer "football". The non-English speaking world calls it football because they learn British English in school, but America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have their own forms of football (although NZ's is rugby). As for Metric vs Standard, Metric is used in every US science class I've ever taken. I'm not even sure what the speed of gravity is in imperial/standard units. I think Europeans have some weird assumption that Americans do science in imperial units for some reason. except the modern game of football existed before the modern american version of football -_-. i cant make up a new game today and call it "rugby" and say my sports name is just as valid as other rugby. you are wrong in stating that countries around the world learn british english aswell. most countries in the world actually teach american english which helps spread the term soccer. they probably think they are teaching english because they dont know the difference, but after speaking to people from around the world who have learnt english at school, i can assure you they learn american.
Very wrong, American football was played at an intercollegiate level dating back to 1869, I don't think soccer's been around much longer if at all.
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Lol @ Calling it the "standard" system.
It would be like me saying the standard word for bad would be "dårlig" cause it's the Danish word for it. 
Anyway, of course I voted for the metric system as it seems to be way more logical. Although I have to mention that it's the only one being used in my country so im a little biased too
And I tried getting the hang of the imperial system, but it just seem so unintuative and I would never be able to remember it as I never use it in my every day. Much easier just to find a converter online for the few times when someone failed to use the suporior system, hehe 
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i think the date thing gets me the most. especially when i'm reading something online and the date is something like 03/05/11 i can never be sure if it is third of may or the fifth of march. urghhh ==
that happens a lot during work as well when we get files dated by americans =[ gets really confusing
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On December 10 2011 19:20 jalstar wrote:Show nested quote +On December 10 2011 19:00 turdburgler wrote:On December 10 2011 15:38 jalstar wrote:On December 10 2011 14:58 Bobble wrote:On December 10 2011 14:29 Manit0u wrote:On December 10 2011 13:27 phant wrote:
Hey, the British made the units!
The British also started calling football soccer as well.
Americans get all the blame! You can tell me all the things you want but I'll never believe that the term 'soccer' was invented in UK. I don't think there's a more popular sport in UK (in the world (with proper Clarkson pause)) than football. A few FIFA affiliates have recently "normalized" to using "Football", including: - Australia's association football governing body changed its name in 2007 from using "soccer" to "football"
- New Zealand also changed in 2007, saying "the international game is called football."
- Samoa changed from "Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation" to "Football Federation Samoa" in 2009.
US of A, we're waiting for you... Also, Americans diverted from Imperial units quite a while ago... Well of course the soccer federations would want to be known as football, it doesn't change the fact that a lot of countries don't recognise the term. You ask any Australian what football is, and they'll respond either AFL or rugby (AFL is football though, you can't deny). Exactly, the UK is the only major native English speaking country to universally call soccer "football". The non-English speaking world calls it football because they learn British English in school, but America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have their own forms of football (although NZ's is rugby). As for Metric vs Standard, Metric is used in every US science class I've ever taken. I'm not even sure what the speed of gravity is in imperial/standard units. I think Europeans have some weird assumption that Americans do science in imperial units for some reason. except the modern game of football existed before the modern american version of football -_-. i cant make up a new game today and call it "rugby" and say my sports name is just as valid as other rugby. you are wrong in stating that countries around the world learn british english aswell. most countries in the world actually teach american english which helps spread the term soccer. they probably think they are teaching english because they dont know the difference, but after speaking to people from around the world who have learnt english at school, i can assure you they learn american. Very wrong, American football was played at an intercollegiate level dating back to 1869, I don't think soccer's been around much longer if at all.
Why would you say that something is "very wrong" without firat looking it up?^^ apparently "soccer" is a little bit older, but has had different versions of it being played for hundreds or even thousands of years(source http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/game/historygame1.html). Also, atleast in swedish "soccer" is directly translated to football, and football is therefore the easiest english version to use. Might be the same in other languages too
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Football is "soccer" for 90% of the world. the only people that say soccer are NA and australia. Of course some americans think The US makes up for 50% of the world :D(of course not Tlers)
On December 10 2011 19:34 Doraemon wrote:
i think the date thing gets me the most. especially when i'm reading something online and the date is something like 03/05/11 i can never be sure if it is third of may or the fifth of march. urghhh ==
that happens a lot during work as well when we get files dated by americans =[ gets really confusing
the day should always be first i agree. like the famous date 9/11 makes no sense to a lot of people. of course youd naturally think it was november if you didnt know(or are english speaking)
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I haven't read a single reply, and to be honest not even all of the OP. I've read just enough to confirm that OP really meant what I thought he meant.
I'm also sure that what I'm about to say has been said before in this thread, and for all that I'm willing to take warnings/temp bans with pride.
The imperial system is NOT the standard system. Only an American could ever be bold enough and have the audacity to say that the imperial system is the standard system, LOL!
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On December 10 2011 19:34 Doraemon wrote:
i think the date thing gets me the most. especially when i'm reading something online and the date is something like 03/05/11 i can never be sure if it is third of may or the fifth of march. urghhh ==
that happens a lot during work as well when we get files dated by americans =[ gets really confusing
This annoys my the most wtf why is it not in logical orderrrrrrr arghhh
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On December 10 2011 19:20 jalstar wrote:Show nested quote +On December 10 2011 19:00 turdburgler wrote:On December 10 2011 15:38 jalstar wrote:On December 10 2011 14:58 Bobble wrote:On December 10 2011 14:29 Manit0u wrote:On December 10 2011 13:27 phant wrote:
Hey, the British made the units!
The British also started calling football soccer as well.
Americans get all the blame! You can tell me all the things you want but I'll never believe that the term 'soccer' was invented in UK. I don't think there's a more popular sport in UK (in the world (with proper Clarkson pause)) than football. A few FIFA affiliates have recently "normalized" to using "Football", including: - Australia's association football governing body changed its name in 2007 from using "soccer" to "football"
- New Zealand also changed in 2007, saying "the international game is called football."
- Samoa changed from "Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation" to "Football Federation Samoa" in 2009.
US of A, we're waiting for you... Also, Americans diverted from Imperial units quite a while ago... Well of course the soccer federations would want to be known as football, it doesn't change the fact that a lot of countries don't recognise the term. You ask any Australian what football is, and they'll respond either AFL or rugby (AFL is football though, you can't deny). Exactly, the UK is the only major native English speaking country to universally call soccer "football". The non-English speaking world calls it football because they learn British English in school, but America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have their own forms of football (although NZ's is rugby). As for Metric vs Standard, Metric is used in every US science class I've ever taken. I'm not even sure what the speed of gravity is in imperial/standard units. I think Europeans have some weird assumption that Americans do science in imperial units for some reason. except the modern game of football existed before the modern american version of football -_-. i cant make up a new game today and call it "rugby" and say my sports name is just as valid as other rugby. you are wrong in stating that countries around the world learn british english aswell. most countries in the world actually teach american english which helps spread the term soccer. they probably think they are teaching english because they dont know the difference, but after speaking to people from around the world who have learnt english at school, i can assure you they learn american. Very wrong, American football was played at an intercollegiate level dating back to 1869, I don't think soccer's been around much longer if at all.
1848, first football rule set. 1857, first football club foundings. 1863, forming of the Football Association in England.
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On December 10 2011 17:46 ComaDose wrote:Show nested quote +On December 10 2011 17:43 jalstar wrote:engineering in American Customary Units I had no idea. I just felt very sorry for all my engineering major friends. The unused half of my thermodynamics property tables book is "American Customary Units" It's really uncomfortable to look at. I'm glad I don't have to.
Yea but sometimes you get questions in those units, makes my heart ache.
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On December 09 2011 13:32 Keyboard Warrior wrote:Advantages of Standard 1. Standard goes more naturally with fractions - quarter of a pint, half foot, etc. Technically, you don't say half meter but rather 50 centimeters or 500 millimeters. 2. Standard units are more practical and convenient. No one goes to the grocery to buy 400ml drink, instead, they buy it in 12 ounces. No one buys 5 meters of wood, instead, they buy it is 1x1x12, all in feet. What do you use? What do you think are the pros and cons of both system of measurement? Do you have specific examples in your country or personally where one is better than the other? Poll: Standard or MetricMetric (meter, centimeter, kilometer) (3360) 85% Standard (inches, feet, yards) (581) 15% 3941 total votes Your vote: Standard or Metric (Vote): Standard (inches, feet, yards)
(Vote): Metric (meter, centimeter, kilometer)
Metric is my Standard (hurr durr)
Dunno about countries where the imperial system is used, but i believe i recall mc donalds in the US selling coke measured in litres? And were do you even call that standard? Its the same thing as what was used for hundreds of years before America was discovered, no?
Over here its absolutely normal to talk of half/quarter/whatever meters etc. I dont see how you are coming up with the advantage of imperial system for practical use. How is ordering a half liter (or simply put, a small/medium/large) drink any less convinient than a pint or whatever?
Practical use is the same.
Unless, of course, u, for some arbitrarily random reason, absolutely require a piece of wood thats a foot long.
Then it will be more convenient ordering a 1 foot long piece over the 20-something cm that would be.
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EPT
