I would not propose a decimal series of paper formats as there is none and it would be impractical in this specific case. It is a fact that A paper sizes divide by progressive halving. I support the Q and A sizes. As for the Q: there is no proposal for any other non-decimal subdivion at all. Under the proposal those who need finer resolutions can go to 0.1 or any other decimal part of a millimeter. See Markus Kuhn's website. And again, if I see the trash the Q is to replace, then this infraction of SI rules in a very specific field is a small price to pay. However, CGPM should not officially sanction the Q, there it should always remain '0.25 mm'. A possiblility is, stop calling it a Q, refer to a 0.25 mm resolution, that will eliminate a unit or prefix name. It is possible that the typographic industry really needs this 0.25 mm resolution for the bulk of printing.
Han ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph B. Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, 2002-02-06 20:04 Subject: [USMA:17989] Re: Query about measurement!! > Han Maenen's USMA 17974 surprises me. It reminds me of Napoleon's "customary metric system" of 1812 which divided the metre in binary fractions. > >Even if the kyu or Q is a non-decimal part of the mm, it will replace lots and lots of ridiculous jetsam and flotsam. The 0.25 mm is still an acceptable decimal fraction. We should NOT built a system of typographical units on the Q; for everything else the millimeter should be enough. > >I am 100% in favour af adopting the Q or kyu, the sooner the better and I am also convinced that those who conceived it wanted to get rid of old and US printing units. Having a millimeter divided by 4 is a very small price to pay for a vast improvement. If they had gone to 1/8 then I would have said no as well. > >If the Q is ifp thinking, then the A-paper sizes are in fact the same as they are a binary series. > > > What decimal series of paper sizes would Han propose? > > I agree with Ma Be's message in USMA 17953: > > >Carter, Baron wrote: > >kyu: a metric unit of distance used in typography and graphic design. The > >kyu, > >originally written Q, is equal to exactly 0.25 millimeter... > > > >The thing that baffles me the most about this is why in the world didn't > >they go with the millimeter (or maybe even the micrometer)??? "Ifp" > >thinking at work here? Good grief... :-( > > > Joseph B.Reid > 17 Glebe Road West > Toronto M5P 1C8 TEL. 416-486-6071 > > >
