> As a Canadian citizen, I've been taught the metric system all my life. I find that it's extememly useful for calculations becasue it uses base 10, but that's only because I'm used to it. If I was used to a base 465 system (or whatever), I'd probably find calculations there pretty easy. Even though I've been taught Metric, I often find myself using the Imperial system when I'm not doing school work. For example, I know that my height is 5"10, but I have no idea what it is in metres. Also, I only know my weight in pounds, not Newtons (Kilograms is a measurement of mass).
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> For the most part, I can relate easier to metric, SI units then I can relate to the Imperial measurements. Again though, this is just becasue I've lived with it for so long. Also, most stores report measurements in SI units (at least here in Canada), so it's practical information.
> SI units are common throughout the world as well, thus knowing SI can help with travel plans and the like.
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> The Imperial scale is used by relatively few countries, however since the USA is one of them, I find that it's in my own best intrest to learn imperial as well so that everyone else knows what the heck I'm talking about! That's why I always keep a calculator handy by my desk, so that I can quickly convert from one scale to another (the calculator has preprogrammed imperial-to-metric and metric-to-imperial conversions). That way, it doesn't matter what scale temperature, length, or pressure is given in - I can understand them all with the touch of a button!
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> As for usefulness, that's all just in a person's mind. For myself, I like having it so that water boils at 100*C and freezes at 0*C. I also find it useful that I can just change the decimal spot 3 places and add and SI prefix, involving no calculations whatsoever. If I was used to measuring in Imperial though, I'm sure that I would find that I could relate easier to feet and inches, rather then odd base 10 numbers.
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> I will agree with you on this point though - metric shouldn't be mandatory. If people like metric better, let them use it. If people like Imperial better, then let them use that. It really doesn't make that big of a difference! Both systems work, so both can be used.
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> -Ka"And I know all about that silly Metric/Imperial Mars Probe thing, and I say that was the fault of the guy in charge"z!

I don't sweat that measurement stuff. I am equally at home in English or metric units and use both practically everyday. When in Canada, it doesn't take but a moment's thought to switch to Imperial gallons.
I remember thinking, "If I can use various systems of measure without any trouble, I should be able to learn Spanish." It didn't work. I don't have the chance to use Spanish like I do metric.
Did you know that a "cent" is a metric unit?
That's my two centavos worth.
Howard