Seeing that we are talking about all sorts of computer systems (even mechanical calculators), I wanted to give my salute to my all time favourite computing machine: the slide rule.
Some may say I am living in the past, and I am. I do not know anyone else who knows both Latin and can use a slide rule. I will be sure to erect a runestone and write a poem (on a clay tablet) to its honour.
Slide rules
Moderator: Moderators
Slide rules
There are only three kinds of people in the world: those who can count and those who can't.
Paul Lambert
Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
Paul Lambert
Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
I plead the fifth!DigitalQuirk wrote:No way, man. I was digital from the day I was born; I grew up in the digital revolution, and hated anything analog almost as much as I hated disco.
There are only three kinds of people in the world: those who can count and those who can't.
Paul Lambert
Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
Paul Lambert
Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
You were only joking, but I have worked with people who will take out a calculator to solve 3 x 4 or more commonly when multiplying by 10! (that is ten with an exclamation mark to express my incredulance, not 10 factorial).Mike wrote:Slide rules. Ah, yes. One moment ... 3 x 4 = 11,99 (I made the calculation 5 times, and then took the average. )
Greetings,
Michael
Perhaps the slowness of using a slide rule would have encouraged better mental math habits.
There are only three kinds of people in the world: those who can count and those who can't.
Paul Lambert
Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
Paul Lambert
Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany