The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

I was quite surprised that in talking about this at work today, only the very level headed former high school maths teacher was not horrified at there being a calculator in a grade 1 booklist.

The only good reason to have a calculator in grade 1 is if they are going to be learning the four operations with decimal places within that year.

If it happens, I'll be pleasantly surprised. However, I suspect it's more to appease the parents, of which many of them (present company excluded, of course) I suspect are now of the age where mental maths was not important, and they believe their kids should not be made to feel inadequate in the classroom because they can't do 1 + 1 in their head, just like them.

 

[TonyHancock]

The only good reason to have a calculator in grade 1 is if they are going to be learning the four operations with decimal places within that year.

If it happens, I'll be pleasantly surprised. However, I suspect it's more to appease the parents, of which many of them (present company excluded, of course) I suspect are now of the age where mental maths was not important, and they believe their kids should not be made to feel inadequate in the classroom because they can't do 1 + 1 in their head, just like them.

I blame decimalisation, we never had this problem with pounds, shillings and pence.

 

[medhead]

I blame decimalisation, we never had this problem with pounds, shillings and pence.

Yeah, I once watched a show that fully explained the whole base 12 systems, that we know as imperial. I recalled it made a whole lot of sense once explained. However, I can't for the life of me remember the explanation, or why it was sensible, now.

 

[anat0l]

Yeah, I once watched a show that fully explained the whole base 12 systems, that we know as imperial. I recalled it made a whole lot of sense once explained. However, I can't for the life of me remember the explanation, or why it was sensible, now.

I helped you out there


More seriously, and I'm lazy here because I'm sure the answer is on Wikipedia, but one factor (pun intended) has to do with the fact that the factors of 12 include 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12. This makes it incredibly easy in terms of mental arithmetic, which in turn makes it very easy for the old days even before calculators were even considered in any sort of commonplace (as well as the notion and common use of what we now know as fractions).

The Romans, if I recall correctly, based their fractional system on a duodecimal base, despite basing their basic counting system on a quasi-decimal one (as did the Egyptians).

 

[medhead]

I helped you out there

thanks I'm constantly forgetting those things (see can't even remember the proper name, contractions, add ons) - n't 'm 'ed 'ly etc. It's frustrating as hell.

More seriously, and I'm lazy here because I'm sure the answer is on Wikipedia, but one factor (pun intended) has to do with the fact that the factors of 12 include 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12. This makes it incredibly easy in terms of mental arithmetic, which in turn makes it very easy for the old days even before calculators were even considered in any sort of commonplace (as well as the notion and common use of what we now know as fractions).

The Romans, if I recall correctly, based their fractional system on a duodecimal base, despite basing their basic counting system on a quasi-decimal one (as did the Egyptians).

That's coming back to me now, the in terms of the factors, definitely part of the reason. The other thing I remember is the guinea automatically had GST/VAT built in. Or something like that.

 

[tuapekastar]

I blame decimalisation, we never had this problem with pounds, shillings and pence.

That was because you were under the influence of lsd!

 

[Hvr]

Well the cool change is coming through in MEL. Finally.

 

[docjames]

Anyone? External Hard drive suggestions?

 

[Hvr]

Anyone? External Hard drive suggestions?

Did you get yesterday's Green Guide? They usually have some good advertisements for hardware. Office WOrks has some stuff on sale thsi week that may be of interest.

 

[docjames]

Did you get yesterday's Green Guide? They usually have some good advertisements for hardware. Office WOrks has some stuff on sale thsi week that may be of interest.

No, but will try and find a copy. Thanks.

 

[markis10]

If you lived next to a petrol station I dont think you would need a public holiday calender!

 

[Julesmac]

If you lived next to a petrol station I dont think you would need a public holiday calender!

One thing that's puzzled me for years with petrol stations and their price changes. How come they don't have a digital readout sign - you see the little guys out there with their big numbers and long sticks madly changing the price per litre manually (and being extra busy Markis, when it's weekends or holidays!) They have started using electronic signage now but it must be about the last segment in the whole world to do stuff manually. There that's my Friday brain-buster for you.

 

[markis10]

Attn JohnK

Brisbane Airport ‏@BrisbaneAirport Today’s weather may cause slower operations at, and diversions to, Brisbane Airport. Expect delays. Contact your airline to check.

 

[docjames]

Attn JohnK

Brisbane Airport ‏@BrisbaneAirport Today’s weather may cause slower operations at, and diversions to, Brisbane Airport. Expect delays. Contact your airline to check.

Should there also be an alert whenever JohnK is booked on a flight?

 

[Hvr]

One thing that's puzzled me for years with petrol stations and their price changes. How come they don't have a digital readout sign - you see the little guys out there with their big numbers and long sticks madly changing the price per litre manually (and being extra busy Markis, when it's weekends or holidays!) They have started using electronic signage now but it must be about the last segment in the whole world to do stuff manually. There that's my Friday brain-buster for you.

The only places I see with manual signs now are the small independent stations and even they are changing over.

Oh, and sometimes there are big guys changing them.

 

[Hvr]

• Qantas Forced downgrade from Premium Eco
• WTF...
  Arrived at the airport 4 hours early to go from Melb --> LA
  
  Booked on Premium Economy 2.5months early.. paid $7000 for the flights.. (Eco was around 3000 dollars)
  Told there was some issue.. and the flight was oversold...
  and I was profiled as the most suitable person to be tufted out of premium economy into economy.

This is hilarious. It is on Whirlpool and there are hundreds of incredibly inaccurate responses and stupid arguments.

Makes this place look almost academic.

 

[JohnK]

Attn JohnK

Brisbane Airport ‏@BrisbaneAirport Today’s weather may cause slower operations at, and diversions to, Brisbane Airport. Expect delays. Contact your airline to check.

Flying out of OOL today on VA so expect further delays from there as well.

Should there also be an alert whenever JohnK is booked on a flight?

There is already! In the Monthly lounge meeting thread! :mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

Flying out of OOL today on VA so expect further delays from there as well.

And equipment changes:

 

[JohnK]

Where did society go wrong? Is it too much to expect people to learn how to behave in public or is it just a free for all?

 

[burrco]

Do any Gold Coast locals know if there is a red light camera at the intersection of gold coast highway and pacific fair drive - had a brain freeze and went through the red light. Bonus points if anybody knows what fine I should (rightly) expect. A lifetime of free drinks* in a Qantas Lounge of your choosing for anyone who might also know what administrative charge avis would impose for sending it out.

* (Subject to possible enhancment)