JackC 0 #76 April 13, 2005 QuoteDo you use this system or the more sensible base-16 system when using computers for scientific work? Bill, what does a compiler do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #77 April 13, 2005 >Bill, what does a compiler do? A compiler is a large and expensive program that renders human-readable computer languages into machine code for direct execution by a processor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #78 April 13, 2005 > On the other hand 400km at 100km/hr is the more accurate comparison. What? No MKS units? For shame! It almost sounds like you're picking km/hr instead of the MKS unit m/s because it's easier to figure out times. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 0 #79 April 13, 2005 Quote>Bill, what does a compiler do? A compiler is a large and expensive program that renders human-readable computer languages into machine code for direct execution by a processor. I know that. Try editing the executable. You'll need a hex editor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #80 April 13, 2005 >Try editing the executable. You'll need a hex editor. Or a disassembler/assembler. But you're right; you will need to work in hex, because that's a representation of a format (binary) the computer can work with. So why do we use decimal, when hex is clearly the superior format for computer usage? Because it's easier for us. We choose units/bases that are easy, not necessarily the ones that are the best choice for the environment we're working in. Which is perfectly OK; might as well get the computer to do the work of translating. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #81 April 13, 2005 Quote What? No MKS units? For shame! It almost sounds like you're picking km/hr instead of the MKS unit m/s because it's easier to figure out times. I was using km/hr because the distance you provided was in km. Just as you used miles and mi/hr not mi and ft/sec Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #82 April 13, 2005 QuoteIt is interesting that you would advocate a base 16 system ' when humans clearly prefer a base 10 system. Also Kallend, it is interesting that you seem to indicate that high functioning individuals in the modern era are inadequate to function using the Imperial system; even though it has been established for centuries and used to describe some of the most important discoveries of the scientific world. What is the correct Imperial unit for magnetic induction? Want to calculate the strength of a magnetic field in an MRI machine using ONLY Imperial units - be my guest and show us how easy it is. You are NOT allowed to use any metric units in your calculation.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #83 April 13, 2005 Interesting, a "tesla" is a dimensionless variable when broken down to base metrics. Tesla => kg/s^2/A A => N/m N => kg m /s^2 Tesla => kg m/s^2 / (same) = 1 (in terms of dimensional analysis) didn't expect that.... unless the definition of Ampere base units is wrong - it could be, I'm in a hurry (The unit of electrical current is the constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors, of infinite length and negligible cross-section, placed 1 metre apart in a vacuum, would produce a force between these conductors equal to 2×10 −7 newtons per metre of length why 2x10-7, why not just 1 by definition - doesn't seem very "rational" to me) But if it's correct, apparently a Tesla is just a bookkeeping tool (read conversion factor) then anything would work provided conversions are correct. How about that? It's meaningless except as an arbitrary standard of comparison. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #84 April 13, 2005 QuoteInteresting, a "tesla" is a dimensionless variable when broken down to base metrics. Tesla => kg/s^2/A A => N/m N => kg m /s^2 Tesla => kg m/s^2 / (same) = 1 (in terms of dimensional analysis) didn't expect that.... unless the definition of Ampere base units is wrong - it could be, I'm in a hurry (The unit of electrical current is the constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors, of infinite length and negligible cross-section, placed 1 metre apart in a vacuum, would produce a force between these conductors equal to 2×10 −7 newtons per metre of length why 2x10-7, why not just 1 by definition - doesn't seem very "rational" to me) But if it's correct, apparently a Tesla is just a bookkeeping tool (read conversion factor) then anything would work provided conversions are correct. How about that? It's meaningless except as an arbitrary standard of comparison. the Ampere is a SI base unit, which means it cannot be described in terms of other SI base units, such as m, kg, sec... The DEFINITION of the ampere is in terms of force between conductors, but that mysterious 2 x 10^-7 isn't dimensionless itself. It was chosen so that the SI unit was the same as the metric ampere that had been in use for a century or more. When I was a boy we had other wierd units such as esu and emu, as well. Thank goodness SI got rid of them! EMU of current (abampere) ampere (A) 1.0 E+01 ESU of current (statampere) ampere (A) 3.335 641 E-10... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #85 April 13, 2005 Quote> It is interesting that you would advocate a base 16 system ' >when humans clearly prefer a base 10 system. I don't. Base 10 is easier for me to use so I use it, even though it is not ideal for use with a computer. Similarly, some people use imperial units because they are easier, even though it is not ideal for physics. Computers exist to make my life easier, not the other way around.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #86 April 13, 2005 >Computers exist to make my life easier, not the other way around. Exactly. So do measurement systems. Hence their utility is measured by how easy they are to apply. In the US, where the extent of most people's requirements for math is to figure out how long it will take to drive 240 miles, the imperial system can work quite well - even if it is based on different standards than you prefer to use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #87 April 13, 2005 Quote> It is interesting that you would advocate a base 16 system ' >when humans clearly prefer a base 10 system. I don't. Base 10 is easier for me to use so I use it, even though it is not ideal for use with a computer. Similarly, some people use imperial units because they are easier, even though it is not ideal for physics. which is totally a matter of training and currency...I have been on projects in the past where (after a few months of breathing it) base 16 was more 'natural' than base 10..as with any definition the only thing that is really important is consistency..____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #88 April 13, 2005 Quotethe Ampere is a SI base unit, which means it cannot be described in terms of other SI base units, such as m, kg, sec... I'll look harder, base units mean any other unit can be described by 3 of the base 7. I'm thinking Ampere can be broken down to mks units. But in any case, all the field and higher level metrics do contain an Ampere base somewhere in the description. So I'm assuming that you are arguing that imperial doesn't have a current metric analogous to amps? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhappy 0 #89 April 14, 2005 I just remember being told all through school (beginning in the 1960's) that we were lesarning Metric becase the USA was going to switch to it's usage " very soon" I heard it throughout Elementary school, Jr High, High School & college...... Hasn't happened yet. But I think it is easier, and makes more since Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimbarry 0 #90 April 14, 2005 QuoteThen YOU challenged me to refute that with a source, which, by any standard the NIST certainly is a credible one. But at the time, you were failing to see that we were talking about two different things. Phrasing aside, I expected any reasonable person to get the joke in my reply. Some didn't. My fault. QuoteSorry if you can't let it go. At the time? Darn right I'm not going to let it go if someone goes out of their way to come at me personally. Play the ball, not the man. QuoteSorry if I hurt your feelings. Fine. I will concede I got a little too worked up and took your personal hacks at me a little too personally. Fact is, for what each of us intended to say, and the level of accuracy inherent in our comments, we were both right. No harm done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
