Digital BW, The Print

Good info here, appreciate the balance. 

Of course, on the other hand, there are a bunch of things government 
here *does* control that never made it to metric. Road signs still 
specify miles. Actually, all that car stuff is regulated, so they 
could have mandated a change. There are a bunch more regulations 
here than people think, it is not a totally free economy, and most 
of those never made it to metric, though some did compromise and 
allowed or forced dual systems.

Also, on the original topic, when Reagan adopted the 8.5x11 standard 
for the government in the 80s (changing from a size the government 
used to use before that) it was a perfect opportunity to specify 
metric paper sizes. Another example of internal regulation that 
ignored metric. 

However, I really don't think it is a "not invented here" mentality. 

Americans as a whole are actually very resistant to change. It is a 
small minority of leading edge folks that spearheaded the internet 
and other technologies here, not the masses. I cannot see many 
politicians willing to force a new system down the American public's 
throat. e.g. HDTV was stalled for years as Congress required that 
any new system also be compatible with NTSC. Luckily, they finally 
recanted on that, but look at how slowly HDTV is moving here anyway, 
even in the land which has more disposable income than any other. 
Those of us in Urban areas don't appreciate how the vast majority of 
America lives (in small towns dotted throughout the country).

Europe may not have as much invested in Bleeding Edge, but the 
common household typically has faster acceptance of improvements. 
Interactive TV, Digital cable and cell phones come to mind. 

Yes, I have actually lived in both places and am not just going from 
sound bites from various celebrities :-).

I am not actually frustrated by this, there are many advantages of 
being in America (which is why I am still here :-), this is a 
relatively minor annoyance. There are major issues coming up now, 
but I *really* want to keep politics off this thread :-).

Manoj



--- In 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "xspamxken.schuster" 
<xspamxken.schuster@e...> wrote:
> Paul, I share your frustration over metric measure, but don't 
blame "The US." 
> The facts are: the US government mapping agency (USCGS) adopted 
France's meter 
> and kilogram standards in the 1800s. In 1866, Congress authorized 
use of the 
> metric system and supplied each state with a set of standard 
metric weights and 
> measures. In 1875, the US was one of the original signatory 
nations to the 
> "Treaty of the Meter" (also known as the "Metric Convention," 
which established 
> the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, in France).
> 
> Unlike most of the world, the US system limits government 
regulation of private 
> industry. In 1975, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act "to 
coordinate and 
> plan the increasing use of the metric system in the United 
States." By law, it 
> had to be voluntary for the private sector, and despite millions 
of dollars of 
> government support, it was largely ignored, and was disestablished 
in 1982. 
> However, since that same year, Federal agencies have been 
required, with certain 
> exceptions, to use the metric system in procurement, grants and 
other 
> business-related activities. The US military, for example, has 
been 100% metric 
> for decades.
> 
> The official US Government position 
> (http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/200/202/lc1136a.htm ) is: "...the 
competitiveness 
> of American products and services in world markets, will be 
enhanced by 
> completing the change to the metric system of units. Failure to 
complete the 
> change will increasingly handicap the Nation's industry and 
economy."
> 
> In short, the US Government has championed the Metric System for 
almost 200 
> years, and has mandated its internal use for the past 22 years, 
but can not 
> require it of the private sector. We consumers, have to pressure 
US industry.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2004 15:14:28 -0400
>    From: "bhhc" <tawow@s...>
> Subject: Re: OT - U.S vs. Europe paper sizes???
> 
> ...snip... the US once again decided that THEY would guide? the 
world and opted 
> to stay in the dark ages . . . no one would tell them what to do 
(a lot like the 
> little brat crying and running home, screaming "it's my ball, and 
my bat, and 
> I'm going home!")....snip...
> 
> Paul Aparycki
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]