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| Thread ID: 65105 | 2006-01-07 22:57:00 | Poll: Trust factor - machines vs instruments | Billy T (70) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 419123 | 2006-01-08 20:03:00 | Well, we live and learn GF, but if the weekend crew didn't get it, maybe the back to workers and other week-day diversion seekers will give it a go on the improved explanation. The results are useful as they stand, but I really do need a bigger sample. Maybe some advertising will help. ;) Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 419124 | 2006-01-08 20:23:00 | I am not an instrument person, I usually screw up reading them :( Unless it has digital display or something I guess. |
mejobloggs (264) | ||
| 419125 | 2006-01-08 21:20:00 | OK, now I understand the question I will affirm I prefer the term 'instrument'. 'Instrument' suggests a certain delicacy of touch, a deftness, precision; whereas 'machine' suggests oil and grease, gears meshing, cast iron castings. But it is only a preference, depending on mood at the moment of time. I'm just as 'at home' with machines as with instruments |
Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 419126 | 2006-01-08 21:39:00 | Each person has a different perception to what the terms "machine" and "instrument" means which is influenced by their own experiences with such devices. Terry likens a machine to oil and grease, whereas I liken a machine to a complex, possibly multifunction device that has self-checks and fail-safes. If a machine gets it wrong, the other parameters will not match therefore there is a better chance of that error being detected. A single machine is often made up of a series of instruments as well. :p An instrument to me, is a specialised piece of equipment which is used for a standalone function. It gets it wrong, then it is wrong and there are no other checks in place. All very subjective and generalised. :) |
Jen (38) | ||
| 419127 | 2006-01-08 21:50:00 | The answer for me is neither, or both. (Sorry Billy.. I'm fence sitter) I hold instruments to be a subset of machines. The definition of the subset (in my mind) is purely based on task, not on reliability, therefore same option would apply to instruments as machines. -Qyiet |
qyiet (6730) | ||
| 419128 | 2006-01-09 00:15:00 | I'll add to your sample Billy T when I figure out which way to vote. One principle is that the less complex something is the less possiblities of it failing, the more complex, the more possiblities. So an 'instument' would be a better choice than a "machine". (given my feeling that the distinction is that an instrument is less complex than a machine.) But then when you might be in trouble a machine will produce more 'work'. To clear a snowdrift quickly a digger would be preferable to a spade. Can't see how you're going to produce this very unrepresentative poll answering a confusing question whose two main word's defintion's could be argued over till the cows turn blue. Now I'll vote.........eeny meeny miny............. |
mark c (247) | ||
| 419129 | 2006-01-09 00:40:00 | I get the question now, but feel that the poll is still context driven - in terms of liberty (esp. democratic freedom such as polling booths) I would prefer an instrument over a machine, but in medical matters, would probably prefer a machine (gut reaction). It's hard to pick one that covers all situations. | Lizard (2409) | ||
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