It's a long stretch from metrication to area codes. Please keep to the
purpose of this mail list.
Jim
On 2013-06-30 19:03, Scott Hudnall wrote:
Don't forget 650 for the Peninsula. Also, 408 just got overlaid with
669, 415 is being overlaid with 628, and they have announced 510 is
getting an overlay too, but they haven't published what that number is.
On Jun 30, 2013, at 12:59 , Carleton MacDonald wrote:
Area code additions nowadays are “overoay” area codes. That is, a new
area code is introduced in the same area as the old one, rather than
having the area of the old one split, and the area now has two area
codes. Reason – You can only slice and dice an area code so much
before it becomes so small that it’s practically unusable. Example:
301 and 240 in Maryland, 212 and 646 in Manhattan.
Benefits: Existing phone numbers are not changed.
Side effect: EVERYONE has to dial the entire nine-digit phone number,
area code included. No more dialing only the seven digits even if
your area code and the one you are dialing is the same. However, with
cell phones, you have to dial all ten numbers anyway so this is no big
deal.
Back in the 1980s when I lived there 415 was the entire Bay Area
except for Santa Clara County (San Jose) which was 408. Now, 415 is
only San Francisco and Marin County. The East Bay west of the
Berkeley Hills is 510, and the area east of the Berkeley Hills is 925.
Carleton
*From:*Kilopascal [mailto:kilopas...@cox.net]
*Sent:*Saturday, June 29, 2013 08:36
*To:*U.S. Metric Association
*Subject:*Metrication in Australia | Metric Views
Some years ago, I mentioned that dual labeling of products serves no
purpose as people continue to look at the familiar and ignore the
new. I cited as an example the situation with area codes in the US.
Back in the late '90s the area code where I live was split twice. In
each case there was a 6 month dual use period where both area codes
worked and the idea was for people to start using the new area code so
there would be a smooth transition when the old one was cut off.
It didn't work as hoped. The new area code was ignored until it was
cut off and calls were not going through and the telephone company was
flooded with calls by people unable to place calls. A number of
people pleaded ignorant of not knowing this change was taking place
despite numerous advertisements.
I argued that because of this, a dual period is useless. However, I
was corrected by being told the dual period was meant more for
business. It was designed to give them enough time to use up old
stationary and letter heads. If there was an abrupt change businesses
would be sending out letters with old area codes that would not work.
Of course, now a days with most correspondences done via emails and
the internet, fewer and fewer companies bother to pre-print
letter-headed paper, or they do it on a need be basis with their own
word processor.
Of course, this is not the same for labels and such a dual period is
useless. since we have already experienced 20 years of dual labels,
there is no need to extend it further in the event of metrication.
Businesses could introduce metric sizes with a special label that is
seen quite often already. A bonus label. Like: New metric size:
500 mL replaces 16 fl oz (473 mL); 5 % more.
Of course, chances are, that 473 mL would not be increased but
downsized and I can't see a company advertising a lower amount without
an accompanying lower price and that won't happen. 450 mL would be a
decrease of 5 % from 473 mL and to those who like to divide by thirds,
450 mL would be 3 equal parts of 150 mL each.
http://metricviews.org.uk/2013/06/metrication-in-australia/#comments
John Steelesays:
2013-06-26 at 15:28
<http://metricviews.org.uk/2013/06/metrication-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-32707>
Sorry, but I missed a sixth take-away:
6) Dual labeling hinders rather than helps on page 19. This is stated
again in detailed sector plans in chapter 9 and conclusions in chapter 10.
I think this is supported by the fact that dual labeling has been
required under FPLA in the US since 1994, and we STILL aren’t ready in
2013 for even permissive-metric-only (where dual would be allowed, but
not required), more less a law requiring metric only. Dual is a false
crutch, it helps most people avoid the issue, not learn metric.
