Google’s calculators and unit conversion groups not working together towards common goals

Would like to be able to increase decimals, force display in scientific notation, and have versions of the calculator for different problems. “One size fits all” might work for a dozen people, but for billions, never. I would like to be able to open the calculator directly and have it remember my preferences, save types of calculations, share my equations with others, do real problems that are more than what can be done in a few clicks. That is the way knowledge grows in global Internet communities. Not more apps, but communities of people working together. Thank you. It is getting better, but your calculator and unit teams don’t seem to be working together towards common goals.

Giving feedback to Google teams is clumsy to non-existent.  The Google teams only show their work, but never show who is working.  Since the workers are hidden, they cannot build communities of users, nor accept and grow from feedback, and new innovations.  Google is not a global Internet citizen, but a closed for-profit company unwilling to share and grow.  There might seem to be exceptions, but judge by the difficulty of communicating.  Open is open, and there are clear and consistent indicators.

Here is a tool that is offered by Google for any calculation entry. But it is “let them eat cake” – users have no say in what it does, no way to improve or change it.  The low priority that Google gives reflects in low quality and consistency.  But Google Calculator serves or could serve billions, including most of the worlds quantitative needs.

Richard K Collins

About: Richard K Collins

Director, The Internet Foundation Studying formation and optimized collaboration of global communities. Applying the Internet to solve global problems and build sustainable communities. Internet policies, standards and best practices.


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