Using standardized SI prefixes

[Christof Krüger]

On Tue, 2007-06-12 at 12:54 -0400, Felipe Sateler wrote:
> I fail to see the relationship between "different reference points"
> and "screwing the calculation". In this case there was no ambiguity,
> engineers knew exactly what to do, but screwed up. Its like saying someone
> screwed up converting from Calories to Joules. That doesn't mean Calories
> should be eradicated (or viceversa), it just means the person wasn't
> careful enough.
You're right, the example doesn't fully fit here.

However, I found it interesting that there are multiple definitions for
"sea level". One of these definitions may seem to be the "default" for
people from Germany or Switzerland. The crucial point: If you don't know
this ambiguity or simply don't think about it right now, you can screw
the calculation.

And even if you know it, you can still screw it. This is what the
example actually shows but -- you're right -- that does not have to do
with the discussion here. I still find it funny, though ;)

Christof Krüger