Slide rules

pitcalco · Post by **pitcalco** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:07 am

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.

PaulQ · Post by **PaulQ** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:46 am

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.

pitcalco · Post by **pitcalco** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:08 pm

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.

I plead the fifth!

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:11 am

Slide rules. Ah, yes.

One moment ... 3 x 4 = 11,99 (I made the calculation 5 times, and then took the average.

)

Greetings,

Michael

pitcalco · Post by **pitcalco** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:10 am

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

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).

Perhaps the slowness of using a slide rule would have encouraged better mental math habits.

hawk · Post by **hawk** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:46 am

Nope...but since by Brother In law collects them, maybe I'll get him to teach me next time we catch up.

--Hawk

Denial

Slide rules

Do you know how to use a slide rule?

Slide rules