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kikkoman · Feb 13, 2006, 07:03 PM

You can tell the hour by the minute hand. So why have an hour hand? I can't think of a good reason.

f1000 · Feb 13, 2006, 07:08 PM

I Bent My Wookiee · Feb 13, 2006, 07:08 PM

"I'm living in a Coo coo clock"

I Bent My Wookiee · Feb 13, 2006, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by kikkoman

You can tell the hour by the minute hand. So why have an hour hand? I can't think of a good reason.

In opposite land?

Gamoe · Feb 13, 2006, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by kikkoman

You can tell the hour by the minute hand. So why have an hour hand? I can't think of a good reason.

Really, now?

Please enlighten us on how this is possible.

f1000 · Feb 13, 2006, 07:11 PM

I think he's OD'ing on soy sauce. Quick, pump out his stomach.

DoctorGonzo · Feb 13, 2006, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by kikkoman

You can tell the hour by the minute hand. So why have an hour hand? I can't think of a good reason.

rickey939 · Feb 13, 2006, 07:18 PM

Proud of you.®

Gamoe · Feb 13, 2006, 07:22 PM

kikkoman, do you mean the opposite? Of course, it is possible to calculate the minutes based on the position of the hour hand, however, that would implicate a bit more mental work, and less accuracy. Most people would just like to get all the information at one glance rather than having to do more work to get less accurate information.

Otherwise, I can't see what else you might have meant, nor can I see how it is possible to infer the hour by the position of the minute hand.

RAILhead · Feb 13, 2006, 07:25 PM

What a dumb-a.

I Bent My Wookiee · Feb 13, 2006, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

kikkoman, do you mean the opposite?

Hence my "opposite land" comment earlier.

kikkoman · Feb 13, 2006, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

kikkoman, do you mean the opposite? Of course, it is possible to calculate the minutes based on the position of the hour hand, however, that would implicate a bit more mental work, and less accuracy. Most people would just like to get all the information at one glance rather than having to do more work to get less accurate information.

Otherwise, I can't see what else you might have meant, nor can I see how it is possible to infer the hour by the position of the minute hand.

oh yeah i meant the hour hand not minute

i better stick to digital

Apple Pro Underwear · Feb 13, 2006, 07:47 PM

1. it's more accurate at a glance. the difference between 8:40 and 8:50 can be very important depending on the circumstances.

2. the gears are already there to be systematically moved by the quartz counter thing, so it's not a big deal to have an extra hand.

3. why do digital clocks have mili-seconds? it's because modern humans are goddamn freaks

alligator · Feb 13, 2006, 08:52 PM

Better yet, why are there still analog clocks?

And why haven't we switched to the metric system.

Better yet, metric system clocks! 10 seconds in a minute, 10 minutes in an hour, and 10 hours in a day ...

Sky Captain · Feb 13, 2006, 09:02 PM

Analog clocks are simply elegant.
Digitals are cold and impersonal.
I love my analog wristwatch. WHich has a dial with 24hr time with only one hand.

TheoCryst · Feb 13, 2006, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by alligator

Better yet, why are there still analog clocks?

And why haven't we switched to the metric system.

Better yet, metric system clocks! 10 seconds in a minute, 10 minutes in an hour, and 10 hours in a day ...

Yeah... it's been done. Didn't go over so well...

Sky Captain · Feb 13, 2006, 09:14 PM

Clocks are metric.
Known constant is 365 1/4 revolutions = 1 year.
360 degrees in a circle.

Weyland-Yutani · Feb 13, 2006, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sky Captain

Clocks are metric.
Known constant is 365 1/4 revolutions = 1 year.
360 degrees in a circle.

and 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute with each second being a nautical mile. Neat.

The decimal circle is 400 degrees, with 100 degrees in a straight corner. Round and round it goes.

cheers

W-Y

KeriVit · Feb 13, 2006, 10:04 PM

This is officially dumb now.

Gamoe · Feb 13, 2006, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Apple Pro Underwear

1. it's more accurate at a glance. the difference between 8:40 and 8:50 can be very important depending on the circumstances.

2. the gears are already there to be systematically moved by the quartz counter thing, so it's not a big deal to have an extra hand.

3. why do digital clocks have mili-seconds? it's because modern humans are goddamn freaks

Indeed. 'fore, estimating the time by the position of the sun in the sky was all that people needed. Now, even the simplest timepiece counts seconds, and many counts mili-seconds, as APU said. And we seem to be reminded of the time everywhere... All types of devices have clocks these days... microwave ovens, conventional ovens and kitchens, television sets, VCRs and DVD players, and just about every other normal household electronic appliance. It's like wherever designers are not sure what to put, they put a clock in. Why can't the microwave display temperature, or calendar day, or just... nothing?

I tend to think the world is a little too sped up sometimes. We speed through some of the most important things to do those that are not as important, it seems to me. Were I in charge, most people would be more relaxed.

Anyway... I have seen some timepieces without minute hands, but those seem to be mostly for decorative and not practical purposes. Still, it would bother me to have a nice watch and not have it be able to give me even minutes, which any cheap watch can do.

iLikebeer · Feb 14, 2006, 12:22 AM

Originally Posted by Weyland-Yutani

and 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute with each second being a nautical mile. Neat.

The decimal circle is 400 degrees, with 100 degrees in a straight corner. Round and round it goes.

cheers

W-Y

Or each minute being a nautical mile. And only between latitude degrees or longitude degrees at the equator.

Big Mac · Feb 14, 2006, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

It's like wherever designers are not sure what to put, they put a clock in.

Then why aren't there clocks in all of those kewl hax0r PC cases?

analogika · Feb 14, 2006, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Then why aren't there clocks in all of those kewl hax0r PC cases?

Most of those have never, ever seen the hand of a designer?

analogika · Feb 14, 2006, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by alligator

Better yet, why are there still analog clocks?

They're MUCH faster to read at a glance, or in low-lighting conditions.

allblue · Feb 14, 2006, 11:08 AM

I particularly enjoyed the Leap Second we got at the very start of the year. One whole free second! I had a great time for its full duration! Can't wait for the next one - I think I'll have a party!

Dakar · Feb 14, 2006, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by analogika

They're MUCH faster to read at a glance, or in low-lighting conditions.

For you perhaps.

davesimondotcom · Feb 14, 2006, 11:18 AM

I prefer the look of an analog clock/watch. And I can read it just as fast or faster because the hands have a greater amount of change between the numbers. Meaning an "8" on a digital clock and a "0" on a digital clock are only one "bar" different, where an "8" on an analog face is totally different from the "12."

Dakar · Feb 14, 2006, 11:25 AM

I can agree with that. digitals can look tacky (for some reason they signify the 80s to me, particularly if they're black.

Personally, I like to mix 'em. My wrist watch and my belt loop watch are both analogs with digital insets.

davesimondotcom · Feb 14, 2006, 11:34 AM

I don't actually wear a watch... I carry a mobile phone.

That way, every couple of years, I can buy a really nice, expensive phone and tell my wife it still costs less than a really nice, expensive watch. And it does more.