What the people do not realize is that the change is trivial only requiring a change on their web site. I did the change in EXCEL in about 10 minutes.
The degree of difficulty is not great and I would have then given the web site to all 500 students in architecture and construction science who will end up all over the country. I thought it would have been good advertising and I got the benefit of a metric web site. Such is life.
Further to the metric forum, one of my students told me in class today that their little sibling was only being taught metric in a Texas school. Maybe we should find out if many schools teach only in metric. It would be a good point at the forum.
There is a much more important reason to move to metric. The soldiers who protect us work in metric. How can we expect them to grow up in imperial and then move quickly to metric whilst learning to be soldiers. When anyone asks in my class why I teach only in metric I point out this is a partly military based school and I am going to make sure all the students learn to the best of their ability the things they have to learn.
One student told me the other day she had no idea what a metre was and why did she have to learn as she worked in small Texas architecture practice. I replied that I was concerned with all my students and some may end up in places like Iraq and ethically I was bound to teach all to the best of my ability. If you are going to learn something then be immersed in it.
Anyway just my end of day rant. But ask your local school district what they teach in. What are the Federal standards on this point. Ask the VFW to support metric?
Anything is worth a try.
John Nichols
John Nichols BE, Ph.D. (Newcastle), MIE (Aust), Chartered Professional EngineerFrom: "Mike Joy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [USMA:22909] Klein Steel Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 07:06:58 +0800 X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2720.3000 Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]This is a response from Klein Steel with their reasons for not using SI units. My letter to them is underneath their response. Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Atkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mike Joy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 8:51 PM Subject: RE: NIST meeting Dear Mr. Joy, I have not deleted your message as all communication is very important to us. However, we are a small company servicing Western New York State only. As such, to include metric sizes in our stock list would add an additional expense and our customer base does not require metric conversions. I understand that in a global market using the metric system would be imperative and those companies that do business globally would most certainly benefit. Thank you for your interest in Klein Steel Service. Shirley Atkins -----Original Message----- From: Mike Joy [mailto:mjoy@;iinet.net.au] Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 7:26 AM To: Shirley Atkins Subject: NIST meeting Ms. Atkins, I'm sorry to hear that Klein Steel has no plans at all to use the metric system on any literature for it's products. That is much like the Taliban preventing the whole of Afghanistan from hearing any news that is of non-Muslim origin. While the rest of the world is enjoying the 21st century, we shake our heads in disbelief that the only excuse you and the US has to stay with the old system of measures is "that your customers purchase in imperial measurements". It hasn't occurred to you that they don't have a choice! If your company (particularly as it has a German name) had any initiative, it would show the US that it is a forward-thinking company and uses the metric system predominantly. Please do not hit the delete button on this suggestion - I AM making a lot of sense. When customers around the world have a choice to use the old or new system of measures when buying products, they MUCH prefer to use metric values for the sake of ease of use and ease of making comparisons. There is a public meeting re product labelling at the Dept of Commerce Auditorium, Herbert C Hoover Bldg, Washington DC on November 7 hosted by NIST which I strongly suggest someone from your company attends. It might do your company a lot of good - it certainly won't harm it. All the best for Klein Steel. Regards Mike Joy Perth, Australia
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University
Department of Construction Science
Langford AC
Rm: A414 MD 3137
College Station, TX 77843-3137
Electronic mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Telephone: 979 845 6541
Facsimile: 979 862 1572
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Magna res est vocis et silentii temperamentum
The greatest thing is to know when to speak
and when to keep quiet
Seneca the Younger (attributed)
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