Category: Uncategorized

The pint problem: A new way forward

The obligatory use of pints and prescribed fractions thereof for draught beer and cider alongside the absence of restrictions when sold in cans and bottles creates anomalies and confusion. What can be done to remove these anomalies without creating new ones?

Continue reading “The pint problem: A new way forward”

Inconsistent and confusing distances on public signs

Ronnie Cohen writes about the muddle of measurement units he has found on public signs in London, particularly those related to public transport and cycling. If two measurement systems were not bad enough, he has found there are now three.

Continue reading “Inconsistent and confusing distances on public signs”

Outlines of Pacific trade deal announced

On 12 November, Voice of America reported as follows:

“President Barack Obama has announced that the United States and eight other Pacific nations have reached the broad outlines of an agreement to create a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to liberalize trade.

Continue reading “Outlines of Pacific trade deal announced”

Mixed electoral fortunes for metric supporters (and opponents)

At the time of writing we do not know the composition of whatever government may emerge from the current Parliamentary arithmetic.  However, we can note the results of a number of supporters and opponents of metrication.

Continue reading “Mixed electoral fortunes for metric supporters (and opponents)”

Why scientists should join the metrication campaign

Scientists often complain that they are much misunderstood and they worry that they are failing to get their message across to the general public.  At the same time, most scientists refuse to get involved in the campaign to persuade the Government and the general public to complete the metric changeover.  Could there be a connection?

Continue reading “Why scientists should join the metrication campaign”

Suffolk bird flu outbreak illustrates Government mess on measurement

The news that bird flu has broken out at a turkey farm near Holton, Suffolk  illustrates once again the difficulty that the Government has in trying to run with an “official”  system of weights and measures while doing nothing to encourage its use.

The news that bird flu has broken out at a turkey farm near Holton, Suffolk http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/6327193.stm means that Defra’s containment policy comes into action. Accordingly a 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone has been established around the farm.

Any user familiar with an Ordnance Survey map will be familiar with the kilometre grid system used for map references. Any OS map user will be able to understand what the protection zone and surveillance zone mean.

Although our roads are designed in metric and regulations for traffic signs are metric (see http://www.ukma.org.uk/Campaign/RoadContractors.htm), Department for Transport continues to forbid the use of metric distances on traffic signs (scroll down the BBC story to see the map).

It is ludicrous for one part of government to use metric on a health & safety issue and another part to forbid its use! It is no wonder so many people in this country are not proficient in any system of units.

Suggested New Year resolutions

Suggestions, and a request for these to be forwarded on to the organisations and individuals. [article contributed by PB]

WEATHER PRESENTERS
For them to archive the F word and give temperatures only in degrees Celsius.

TV WEATHER PRESENTERS
For them to start showing wind speeds on their maps in km/h. Speeds in mph could be given orally for a limited time.

NEWSPAPERS INCLUDING WEB MEDIA for the UK
For them to start showing wind speeds on their maps in km/h.

COUNCILS
For them to adopt full metrication in all areas. This includes the metric pricing for allotment charges.

TRADING STANDARDS OFFICERS
For them to enforce metric pricing and ensure that market traders FULLY comply with the regulations.

I’m sure many more can be added to this list.