Community Forums

rarebear.nm · 09-09-2019, 11:46 AM

Another interesting exercise is to talk to younger folks about quarter after, half past, etc.

Even better is describing how you can use an analog wrist watch as a compass.

gk42 · 09-09-2019, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the sights

Hello all, Help me out 50 years ago my Father a Penn State professor had a calculator that look like a typewriter anyone familiar with this Machine just remember LED calculators were not made yet and when they came out they were about $75.00 each Thanks, Joe

In 1972, as the assistant to a VP, I ordered him an HP handheld calculator (4 functions!). This was the very first handheld available I think. Cost: $475.00!

Davemik · 09-09-2019, 11:55 AM

The British Imperial you refer to is actually British Whitworth. I have an entire set for old British bikes.

rarebear.nm · 09-09-2019, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gk42

In 1972, as the assistant to a VP, I ordered him an HP handheld calculator (4 functions!). This was the very first handheld available I think. Cost: $475.00!

Yep, I still have my first 4 function hand held calculator and use it in my wood shop . My old K&E slide rule hangs in my office labeled as "disaster recovery system". A few people understand. I've been in IT for 40 years.

lo-tek · 09-09-2019, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

Pints mean different things...

“A pint in the United Kingdom is bigger than a pint in the United States. ... The British Imperial fluid ounce is equal to 28.413 milliliters, while the US Customary fluid ounce is 29.573 ml. The British Imperial pint is 568.261 ml (20 fluid ounces), while the US Customary pint is 473.176 ml (16 fl oz).”

If I have a choice...24 US Fluid Ounce would be my preference

and that's why i hang out here. i learn a little every day!

Bobj616 · 09-09-2019, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

3 would be, "several".

I thought 3 would be "a few"

Dave Dopp · 09-09-2019, 01:10 PM

This thread has me chuckling.

Based on the comments, I have to adjust my thought on how to identify an "old fart."

I used to think you could identify an old fart as one who sat with his or her peers and talked (bragged?) about the latest surgery or major illness or number of medications used.

To that, I now have to add those who sadly comment on "how dumb and lazy kids are today compared to when I grew up."

Perhaps it's human nature. Old farts have been complaining for at least three thousand years. Funny how, despite the obvious weakness of our children over those 3,000 years, we've still managed to progress society to today's level!

Funny, but true, story. I've had my "old fart" definition in place for many years. I used to hate going to RV park socials because the old farts just seemed to talk about their latest surgery.

A couple of years ago I had emergency surgery to remove a gall bladder. That winter I found myself at an RV park social - talking about my gall bladder. Good God! I suddenly realized I had turned into an old fart.

RM Art · 09-09-2019, 02:07 PM

Wait till AI takes over.

And... we won't need to wait too long!

rarebear.nm · 09-09-2019, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM Art

Wait till AI takes over.

And... we won't need to wait too long!

Better than AoI, Absence of Intelligence.

AoI seems to more common these days.

RM Art · 09-09-2019, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

Better than AoI, Absence of Intelligence.

AoI seems to more common these days.

MIKEBOUNDS · 09-09-2019, 06:12 PM

We are on an extended trip. Twice I stopped to buy fuel and told clerk I needed to purchase 80 gallons of diesel.

It was prepay and they could not figure it out.

I asked me how much they were charging per gallon.

Another told me she could not figure it out and handed me the calculator to do it.

Gigattime · 09-09-2019, 09:26 PM

Well said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davdeb1

There are many things different in the last 50 years. Many of us shake our head when young people can't do the math you think they should on a register, know what. Dozen is. When I grew up 12 dozen was a gross, a few or several was 3 or 4. 4 score was 80.
These all are absolutely irrelevant to what they need to know to survive in this world. We used to give odd bits of change to get even change back on a purchase.
Today most of them pay for stuff with their phone, stream programs on their phone to a TV, access utube or other internet resources to do unfamiliar tasks.
They do so many things we can't everyday. They also need $15 per hour because the $1.25 per hour we were paid represents over $12 today. They have to pay for their own healthcare, while we go employer provided healthcare.

They are doing just like we did at their age, the best we could. When we got out of school, we had our choice of good paying manufacturing jobs.
Their choice is service jobs that make them deal with self righteousness people who look at them like they are just stupid.

rarebear.nm · 09-09-2019, 10:07 PM

I agree with how life is different from our past.

The past is past, the present just became history. We really only have the future and it is changing at a faster rate every day.

In IT, I'd say that if I overslept one morning I just became obsolete. As AI settles into daily life, hang on it'll be a wild ride. Our social, work, recreational, health and finical environments are poorly prepared for what's ahead.

The times they are a-changing.....

Janjim · 09-10-2019, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfryman

Or the infamous "couple of": Is that 3?

Well, were I grew up, there is no set number for a couple, a few or several

A couple is most closely associated with 2, but could be 2 or 3. A few 3 to 4 and several is really wide open at 4 to 6.

It's a pickle!!