Groups | Search | Server Info | Keyboard shortcuts | Login | Register [http] [https] [nntp] [nntps]

Groups > comp.os.linux.misc > #93881 > unrolled thread

The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?

Back to article view | Back to comp.os.linux.misc

Contents

  The Leap Second is Dead.  How Will GNU/Linux Cope? Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-16 15:45 +0000
    Re: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-10-16 16:56 +0100
      Re: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope? Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-16 17:08 +0000
    Re: The Leap Second is Dead.  How Will GNU/Linux Cope? Cóilín Nioclásín Glostéir <thanks-to@Taf.com> - 2026-10-16 19:13 +0000
    Re: The Leap Second is Dead.  How Will GNU/Linux Cope? Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-10-17 13:29 +0000
      Re: The Leap Second is Dead.  How Will GNU/Linux Cope? gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2026-10-17 13:51 +0000
      Re: The Leap Second is Dead.  How Will GNU/Linux Cope? Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-17 14:19 +0000
        Re: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-17 19:37 +0200
          Re: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 11:25 +0100
          Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2026-10-18 11:57 +0000
            Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-18 14:20 +0200
              Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 13:25 +0100
                Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-18 14:31 +0200
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 14:23 +0100
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-10-18 13:35 +0000
                    Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-18 18:45 +0000
                      Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-10-18 21:41 +0000
                        Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-19 00:57 +0000
                        Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...) Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-10-19 02:11 +0000
                          Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...) Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-10-19 02:38 +0000
                            Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...) Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-10-19 03:52 +0000
                              Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...) Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-10-19 03:56 +0000
                          Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...) Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-19 03:03 +0000
                        Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-19 02:49 +0000
                    Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 20:15 +0100
                    Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-10-19 00:44 -0400
                Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-18 14:38 +0200
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 14:26 +0100
                    Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-18 18:59 +0000
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-18 18:55 +0000
              Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Roger Blake <rogblake@iname.invalid> - 2026-10-18 19:05 +0000
                Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 20:41 +0100
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Roger Blake <rogblake@iname.invalid> - 2026-10-19 00:15 +0000
                    Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...) Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-10-19 02:02 +0000
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-19 02:42 +0000
            Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 13:21 +0100
              Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-18 19:04 +0000
            Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-18 14:07 +0000
              Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Lars Poulsen <lars@beagle-ears.com> - 2026-10-18 11:45 -0700
                Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-18 19:27 +0000
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-19 02:30 +0000
                Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...) Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-10-19 02:06 +0000
              Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-18 19:05 +0000
                Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) Leroy H <lh@somewhere.net> - 2026-10-18 19:32 +0000
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2026-10-18 19:37 +0000
                  Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-10-19 02:20 +0000
                Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?) The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-18 20:40 +0100

Page 2 of 3 — ← Prev page 1 [2] 3  Next page →

#94282 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...)

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 02:38:52 GMT, Charlie Gibbs wrote:

> On 2026-10-19, Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>
>> Never heard of “centilitres”? Look at wine bottles (at least,
>> European ones). May not be long before petrol is as expensive as
>> wine, anyway. ;)
>
> One of our wedding presents was a set of beer mugs. They are marked
> "50 cL".

Capital L?

Tisk-tisk ...

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94284 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...)

On 2026-10-19, Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

> On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 02:38:52 GMT, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
>
>> On 2026-10-19, Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> Never heard of “centilitres”? Look at wine bottles (at least,
>>> European ones). May not be long before petrol is as expensive as
>>> wine, anyway. ;)
>>
>> One of our wedding presents was a set of beer mugs. They are marked
>> "50 cL".
>
> Capital L?
>
> Tisk-tisk ...

Actually, now that you mention it, it was "cl" (all lower case).

-- 
/~\  Charlie Gibbs                  |  In this world there are
\ /  <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid>      |  two kinds of people:
 X   I'm really at ac.dekanfrus     |  1. Those who can extrapolate
/ \  if you read it the right way.  |  from incomplete data.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94278 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...)

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 02:11:21 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:

> 
> Temperature scales in common use are arbitrary, anyway. Having done
> some undergrad physics, I prefer a scale where zero means zero; i.e.
> why we don’t just use Kelvin for temperature measurements, and be done
> with it.
> 

The Celsius scale is just a shifted Kelvin scale, with the shift factor
being 273.15.

But how many common folk think in terms of degrees above absolute zero
(which was a concept only developed in the 19th century)?

Tradition rules, and the earliest scale, AFAIK, was the Fahrenheit scale.
Before then there was probably just freezing, cold, warm, and hot, which
are all based on human sensation but that's all humans care about.

<https://dewesoft.com/blog/temperature-measurement-history>

After the scientific revolution, temperature scales had to be reproducible
and that's how the Fahrenheit and subsequent scales were developed.

I have been so conditioned to the Fahrenheit scale that I reject everything
else.  I know that 50F or below means that a light jacket is needed.  What
that would be on the Celsius scale would involve some mental gymnastics.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94275 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026 21:41:21 GMT, Charlie Gibbs wrote:

> That's where being a computer nerd came in handy.  When Canada switches
> to kilometers, I was able to just read the numbers on my speedometer as
> hex.

I think the Toyota speedometer has both mph and kph. It's one of those 
things you don't notice.  For truckers the important thing to know is what 
13' 6" is in meters.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94219 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 18/10/2026 14:35, Stéphane CARPENTIER wrote:
> Le 18-10-2026, Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> a écrit :
>> On 2026-10-18 14:25, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 18/10/2026 13:20, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>> Here, the imperial system is not even mentioned in school. All is SI.
>>>> As in most countries.
>>>>
>>> Not really
>>>
>>> Just yours
>>>
>>>
>> Really? X'-D
> 
> In Spain, as well as in Portugal and in France and in Germany and in
> Belgian and in Netherlands and in Morocco and in Algeria and in Egypt
> and in Roumania and in India. I stop here because I can't speak about
> countries in which I don't know anyone.
> 
> Well, that's why I'm calling him The Blind Natural Philosopher.
> 
No, that's because you are a Leftist bigot, who thinks they can spew 
hate at anyone who didn't read the same propaganda
I pointed out that many non SI units are used universally. In all countries
You simply ignore the facts and continuee with your bigotry and personal 
attacks

I think you are a  factophobe

-- 
“People believe certain stories because everyone important tells them, 
and people tell those stories because everyone important believes them. 
Indeed, when a conventional wisdom is at its fullest strength, one’s 
agreement with that conventional wisdom becomes almost a litmus test of 
one’s suitability to be taken seriously.”

Paul Krugman

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94289 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 10/18/26 09:35, Stéphane CARPENTIER wrote:
> Le 18-10-2026, Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> a écrit :
>> On 2026-10-18 14:25, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> On 18/10/2026 13:20, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>> Here, the imperial system is not even mentioned in school. All is SI.
>>>> As in most countries.
>>>>
>>> Not really
>>>
>>> Just yours
>>>
>>>
>> Really? X'-D
> 
> In Spain, as well as in Portugal and in France and in Germany and in
> Belgian and in Netherlands and in Morocco and in Algeria and in Egypt
> and in Roumania and in India. I stop here because I can't speak about
> countries in which I don't know anyone.
> 
> Well, that's why I'm calling him The Blind Natural Philosopher.

   The best thing about the Imperial system is that
   the units are 'more human'. A foot, a stride, the
   distance when you hold two fingers apart.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94177 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 2026-10-18 14:25, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 18/10/2026 13:20, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>> On 2026-10-18 13:57, Kenny McCormack wrote:
>>> In article <ubocqmx3dc.ln2@Telcontar.valinor>,
>>> Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>>> On 2026-10-17 16:19, Leroy H wrote:
>>>>> It was the French that gave the world the metric system (or SI) 
>>>>> which is
>>>>> perhaps fit for the sterile laboratory but which has no place in daily
>>>>> life.  Indeed, both the USA and GB resist the SI units in that most 
>>>>> civil
>>>>> measurements are still reported in pounds, feet, Fahrenheit, etc.
>>>>
>>>> Lighten up, the SI is used in the entire world. Just some recalcitrant
>>>> people remain in their old ways.
>>>
>>> Believe it or not, this (the age-old discussion of US/Imperial vs. 
>>> metric)
>>> actually seems to be another instance of "Yes, it is technically 
>>> superior,
>>> but it is not the standard (i.e., what most people use), so we think you
>>> should go with the standard even though it is technically inferior."
>>>
>>> There are actually quite a lot of those in life.
>>>
>>> I.e., what I'm saying is that there actually are quite a few 
>>> arguments to
>>> be made that US/Imperial is actually better.
>>>
>>> Sort of like Betamax (Yes, the classic example of "better does not 
>>> ensure
>>> market dominance".)
>>
>> Here, the imperial system is not even mentioned in school. All is SI. 
>> As in most countries.
>>
> Not really
> 
> Just yours

In your dreams. 19 out out of 20 people worldwide use the SI.


Worldwide, the SI (metric) system is used by the overwhelming majority of the world's population. The Imperial System, by contrast, has a much smaller footprint, primarily in the United States for everyday measurements, with some Imperial units still used in the UK and elsewhere.

One important distinction: the SI system is the internationally agreed system of units, but people in countries that officially use metric may still use traditional units in everyday life. So the figures are estimates of the populations living in places that predominantly use each system, not a count of individual people's habits.

## Estimated worldwide usage (2026)


## SI / Metric

# ≈ 7.9 billion

About 95% of the world's population


## Imperial / US customary

# ≈ 400 million

Roughly 5% of the world's population

Approximate population-based estimates, not measured counts of individual users. Figures are rounded.


These estimates use the populations of countries where non-metric or US customary measurements remain prominent, while recognising that many people use both systems. The US is by far the largest stronghold of customary measurements; Liberia and Myanmar also retain traditional units.


World Population Review

+2

## Where are the systems used?

| Region or country                                      | Predominant situation                                                            |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Europe, China, India, most of Africa and Latin America | SI / Metric                                                                      |
| United States                                          | US customary units in everyday life; metric in science and many industries       |
| United Kingdom                                         | Mixed: metric for many purposes, miles for road distances, pints for some drinks |
| Canada                                                 | Predominantly metric, with some customary units in everyday use                  |
| Liberia and Myanmar                                    | Mixed systems, with traditional units still used                                 |


World Population Review

+2

## The key takeaway

Approximately 19 out of every 20 people worldwide live in countries where metric measurements predominate.

One caveat: the Imperial System and US customary system are not identical. Also, there is no reliable worldwide census of which units each person uses, and the UK and Canada make a strict two-way classification misleading. The percentages above should therefore be treated as a useful broad estimate, not an exact statistical measurement.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94186 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 18/10/2026 13:38, Carlos E.R. wrote:
> On 2026-10-18 14:25, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> On 18/10/2026 13:20, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>> On 2026-10-18 13:57, Kenny McCormack wrote:
>>>> In article <ubocqmx3dc.ln2@Telcontar.valinor>,
>>>> Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>>>> On 2026-10-17 16:19, Leroy H wrote:
>>>>>> It was the French that gave the world the metric system (or SI) 
>>>>>> which is
>>>>>> perhaps fit for the sterile laboratory but which has no place in 
>>>>>> daily
>>>>>> life.  Indeed, both the USA and GB resist the SI units in that 
>>>>>> most civil
>>>>>> measurements are still reported in pounds, feet, Fahrenheit, etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> Lighten up, the SI is used in the entire world. Just some recalcitrant
>>>>> people remain in their old ways.
>>>>
>>>> Believe it or not, this (the age-old discussion of US/Imperial vs. 
>>>> metric)
>>>> actually seems to be another instance of "Yes, it is technically 
>>>> superior,
>>>> but it is not the standard (i.e., what most people use), so we think 
>>>> you
>>>> should go with the standard even though it is technically inferior."
>>>>
>>>> There are actually quite a lot of those in life.
>>>>
>>>> I.e., what I'm saying is that there actually are quite a few 
>>>> arguments to
>>>> be made that US/Imperial is actually better.
>>>>
>>>> Sort of like Betamax (Yes, the classic example of "better does not 
>>>> ensure
>>>> market dominance".)
>>>
>>> Here, the imperial system is not even mentioned in school. All is SI. 
>>> As in most countries.
>>>
>> Not really
>>
>> Just yours
> 
> In your dreams. 19 out out of 20 people worldwide use the SI.
> 
But 20 out of 20 people ALSO use other systems

You don't say 'your last post was 1325.2 seconds ago do you?

You use hours minutes days, moths and years

You are really so informed by idealism rather than facts its kinda cute...

-- 
"An intellectual is a person knowledgeable in one field who speaks out 
only in others...”

Tom Wolfe

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94211 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026 14:26:47 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

> You use hours minutes days, moths and years

The French tried to redefine those when the had their Revolution but that 
didn't take as well as some of their other novel measurements.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94210 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026 14:38:45 +0200, Carlos E.R. wrote:

> Worldwide, the SI (metric) system is used by the overwhelming majority
> of the world's population. The Imperial System, by contrast, has a much
> smaller footprint, primarily in the United States for everyday
> measurements, with some Imperial units still used in the UK and
> elsewhere.

The US doesn't exactly use the Imperial system. The US adopted the British 
units before Britain defined the Imperial system. It's mostly the same but 
there are differences. A ton is 2000 lbs, the gallon is .83 of an Imperial 
gallon which trickles down to quarts and pints.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94213 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 2026-10-18, Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> Here, the imperial system is not even mentioned in school. All is SI. As 
> in most countries.

How are vehicles wheel/tire diameters in your country measured?
All the imported cars I see here in the U.S. have wheels and
tire size measured in inches.

-- 
  Roger Blake

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94227 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 18/10/2026 20:05, Roger Blake wrote:
> On 2026-10-18, Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>> Here, the imperial system is not even mentioned in school. All is SI. As
>> in most countries.
> 
> How are vehicles wheel/tire diameters in your country measured?
> All the imported cars I see here in the U.S. have wheels and
> tire size measured in inches.
> 
Of course. rims are inches, tyre tread widths are mm.




-- 
“it should be clear by now to everyone that activist environmentalism 
(or environmental activism) is becoming a general ideology about humans, 
about their freedom, about the relationship between the individual and 
the state, and about the manipulation of people under the guise of a 
'noble' idea. It is not an honest pursuit of 'sustainable development,' 
a matter of elementary environmental protection, or a search for 
rational mechanisms designed to achieve a healthy environment. Yet 
things do occur that make you shake your head and remind yourself that 
you live neither in Joseph Stalin’s Communist era, nor in the Orwellian 
utopia of 1984.”

Vaclav Klaus

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94259 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 2026-10-18, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> Of course. rims are inches, tyre tread widths are mm.

Since the person I was asking said that only metric is taught
in his country's schools, I was wondering if people there just
scratch their heads in confusion when buying tires.

To me the metric system makes no sense. I don't grok it at all.
But fortunately in the U.S. the exposure to it is minimal.

-- 
  Roger Blake

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94263 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second ...)

On Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:15:06 -0000 (UTC), Roger Blake wrote:

> To me the metric system makes no sense. I don't grok it at all.

Doesn’t matter what units your country uses, they are all officially
defined in terms of SI units anyway.

I was reading an article earlier today about NASA’s Artemis II mission
to the Moon. They were measuring their distance from the Earth in (get
this) nautical miles. Why?? As far as I know, they give their
velocities in (non-nautical) miles per second or (non-nautical) miles
per hour; so after travelling an hour at 18,000 miles per hour, they
won’t say they’ve done 18,000 miles, they give a figure like 15,642
nautical miles instead?!?

To me, that’s just making extra work for yourself -- and introducing
more opportunities to make mistakes.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94274 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026 20:41:57 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

> On 18/10/2026 20:05, Roger Blake wrote:
>> On 2026-10-18, Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>> Here, the imperial system is not even mentioned in school. All is SI.
>>> As in most countries.
>> 
>> How are vehicles wheel/tire diameters in your country measured?
>> All the imported cars I see here in the U.S. have wheels and tire size
>> measured in inches.
>> 
> Of course. rims are inches, tyre tread widths are mm.

They're slowly going to metric but bike tires, particularly tube type  
knobbies, still are sometimes in inches. 

https://fortnine.ca/en/converting-motorcycle-tire-sizing-systems

I'm pretty sure my current set of Kendas are stamped in inches.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94169 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 18/10/2026 12:57, Kenny McCormack wrote:
> Believe it or not, this (the age-old discussion of US/Imperial vs. metric)
> actually seems to be another instance of "Yes, it is technically superior,
> but it is not the standard (i.e., what most people use), so we think you
> should go with the standard even though it is technically inferior."
> 
I fail to see anything superior about either system, frankly

And I have used both nearly all my life.

You don't get far as an engineer without being able to convert standards 
rapidly and fluently in your head. Or on a calculator

The arguments are mostly people talking bollocks about stuff they have 
no understanding of, so they substitute violently defended opinions


> There are actually quite a lot of those in life.
> 
> I.e., what I'm saying is that there actually are quite a few arguments to
> be made that US/Imperial is actually better.
> 
*shrug* duodecimal versus decimal. sexadecimal even better 360 dyas in a 
year, almost. Good enough for religion

> Sort of like Betamax (Yes, the classic example of "better does not ensure
> market dominance".)

Again *shrug*. Plywood is sold as 2.4384 metres long, instead of 8 feet. 
Its the same bloody sized wood

It is a complete storm in a bigots teacup.

Any US garage will be using metric and imperial all the time.

Any pilot will be too.


-- 
“The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false face for the 
urge to rule it.”
– H. L. Mencken

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94212 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026 13:21:53 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

> I fail to see anything superior about either system, frankly

When you are under the car it's much easier to say 'Darling, can you give 
me the 20'  than ask for a 13/16". 

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94198 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:57:54 -0000 (UTC), Kenny McCormack wrote:

> 
> I.e., what I'm saying is that there actually are quite a few arguments to
> be made that US/Imperial is actually better.
> 

The metric system was imposed, i.e. forced, whereas the Imperial units are
traditional and hence far more natural.

Forcing an entire society to change is never a good idea.  To force SI units
in the laboratory, among professional scientists, may be an easy switch, but
to expect the general, unwashed, population to immediately embrace a new system
of units is folly.

Keep SI in the lab and let the common folk do as they always have done.

Then there is the issue of manufacturing.  Converting a large industrial base,
such as in the US, willy-nilly to SI units is a very expensive undertaking.

For example, virtually all lumber products in the US are cut to Imperial
dimensions.  The ubiquitous "stud," which is universal in construction, is
still the "2 by 4" being 2 inches by 4 inches by 8 feet.  I highly doubt
that any lumber product is cut to SI dimensions.  The saw mills are too old
to easily change, and the wood worker is too conditioned to think differently.

Also, most raw materials such as pipes, tubing, and other parts are still
produced in Imperial units because most everything classified as buildings
or infrastructure was built according to Imperial specs. 

It will be a LONG, LONG TIME before US society becomes exclusively metric.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94208 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On 10/18/2026 07:07, Leroy H wrote:
>[...]

> Then there is the issue of manufacturing.  Converting a large industrial base,
> such as in the US, willy-nilly to SI units is a very expensive undertaking.

On the other hand, NOT joining the world standards has its own cost.

Back in the 1980s, at a PPOE, we licensed a design for an electronic 
device. Having been designed in Scotland, of course all mechanical 
dimensions were given in millimeters. An older manufacturing manager 
wanted it "Americanized" and directed a summer intern to convert all 
dimensions to "traditional" measures. The kid got out a calculator and 
converted all measurements to inches with 3 decimals. When they took it 
to the metal shop, the shop foreman asked if they really needed the 
dimensions exact to 0.001" ? No, of course not, that would be way too 
expensive. So the old guy replaced all the measurements to fractional 
inches instead.

The resulting product never worked right, but had bad fits between the 
PCBs and the card cage, betwwen the chassis frame and the side, top and 
bottom panels, and felt warped when customers tried to mount it in a rack.

Of course, it was all stupid. The machine shop where they built it had 
mostly Japanese machinery, which could do inces or millimeters at the 
flick of a switch.
> For example, virtually all lumber products in the US are cut to Imperial
> dimensions.  The ubiquitous "stud," which is universal in construction, is
> still the "2 by 4" being 2 inches by 4 inches by 8 feet.  I highly doubt
> that any lumber product is cut to SI dimensions.  The saw mills are too old
> to easily change, and the wood worker is too conditioned to think differently.

Your example is a little odd, because a "2 by 4" is NOT 2 inches by 4 
inches and has not been for decades.

A standard 2x4 lumber has actual dimensions of 1.5 inches thick by 3.5 
inches wide (38 mm × 89 mm).

This principle applies to other dimensional lumber as well, such as 2x6, 
2x8, and 4x4, where the actual dimensions are slightly smaller than the 
nominal size to account for finishing processes.

> Also, most raw materials such as pipes, tubing, and other parts are still
> produced in Imperial units because most everything classified as buildings
> or infrastructure was built according to Imperial specs.
> 
> It will be a LONG, LONG TIME before US society becomes exclusively metric.
Jimmy Carter started, but Reagan reversed the process.
-- 
Lars Poulsen - an old geek in Santa Barbara, California

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#94220 — Re: Metric vs. US/Imperial (Was: The Leap Second is Dead. How Will GNU/Linux Cope?)

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:45:50 -0700, Lars Poulsen wrote:

> 
> Your example is a little odd, because a "2 by 4" is NOT 2 inches by 4 
> inches and has not been for decades.
> 
> A standard 2x4 lumber has actual dimensions of 1.5 inches thick by 3.5 
> inches wide (38 mm × 89 mm).
> 

The cutting dimensions at the saw mill are 2" X 4".  After cutting,
however, the lumber is dried in kilns which shrinks the dimensions.

But the size of the lumber throughout the distribution chain is
always based on the original saw mill cutting dimensions.

One never walks into a lumber yard and asks for a "1.5 X 3.5."
It is always "2 X 4."

The same applies to all other lumber products.  It is a peculiar
system but one gets used to it.


>> 
>> It will be a LONG, LONG TIME before US society becomes exclusively metric.
>
> Jimmy Carter started, but Reagan reversed the process.
>

What I find somewhat amusing is that, like most other DIY
people, I was forced to purchase a set of metric sockets
(at great expense).

Each socket is forged on one end to be a specific metric
size (e.g. 10mm) but the reverse end, where the shaft of
the socket wrench attaches, is forged to an Imperial unit
(e.g. 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch). 

The tools are actually a hybrid.

If a society is forced to go metric it should go metric
all the way.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

Page 2 of 3 — ← Prev page 1 [2] 3  Next page →

Back to top | Article view | comp.os.linux.misc

csiph-web