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How Do you Tell the Temperature?
Survey

0903_temperature01.jpg

Pre digital age, I remember having an outdoor thermometer that was checked daily. Somehow its use faded over time, though it's tough to pinpoint quite when. Today, squinting at an old mercury-based thermometer seems quaint...

 
 

Somewhere along the way, the main method of telling the temperature moved to the internet. Something about it feels so detached, though. I can tell what the temperature is somewhere in my area code, but not what it is right at home. Does it matter? Probably not. But there's a perceived immediacy and specificity lost to the internet.

0903_temperature02.jpgA middle ground in my home is the Weather Channel Wireless Temperature Station. It's an indoor monitor that gathers temperature information from a few exterior points around the house. It also displays the interior temperature and has a digital clock readout. Somehow, however, those digital numerals (though probably more accurate) are harder to trust than the old red line of mercury rising.

What do you use to check the temperature at your house? Do you feel the way I do about internet and digital displays or am I just being too sensitive? Take the survey and leave any comments below.

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Surveys, thermometer, weather

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Comments (17)

Well for me there is no one answer.
The internet if I want to see what is outside. Or want will be outside.
The old school thermometer if I want to see what is happening at home (even if I feel it on my skin)
But I do have Weather Channel Wireless Temperature Station at home too............

posted by Viwwo on September 3rd 2009 at 1:41pm
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I use both. I use the internet to gauge what my weekend activities will be, and I use a thermometer to see what the actual temp. is.

posted by Limeliteshines on September 3rd 2009 at 1:52pm
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The main problem with checking the temperature manually at home is that it is only the current temperature...and when I leave the house in the morning, I want to know what the high temperature is going to be and if percipitation/wind is expected. If I want to know how it feels specifically at any given time, I don't care about the exact temperature, I can just walk outside and determine if I need to add/remove layers.

posted by Enamorada on September 3rd 2009 at 1:53pm
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my homepage is iGoogle and it has the local temperature on the page

posted by Futurovox on September 3rd 2009 at 2:06pm
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Um... all of the above?
I'll check online if I want to see what the weather/temperature is away from home (say.. the beach) or what the temperature will be at night or the following morning.
I use the thermometer in my car's dash when... well, when I'm driving.
And when I'm at home, I don't really care about the specific temperature... I'll just step out side and determine how hot or cold it is.

posted by sparkle on September 3rd 2009 at 2:07pm
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A thermometer wouldn't do me a lick of good:

I live on the 15th floor and face East - It's usually warmer on the ground at the entrance of the building which faces West, unless it isn't because of wind or fog...

Who cares what temperature it is at home anyway? I'm more interested in what the general weather is going to be Downtown where I spend my days so I can dress appropriately.

posted by bepsf on September 3rd 2009 at 2:07pm
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I need/use both. The temp at my house is often quite different from what is on the weather channel (tv or web). But if I want to know what is coming, I go to tv or web - whatever is most convenient at the moment.

www.2greenacres.blogspot.com

posted by 2 Green Acres on September 3rd 2009 at 2:12pm
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I only really check the temp in the winter, its hard to tell when you look out the window of your cozy home if its -5 or -30 (Celsius, i'm in Canada) and I usually use the alcohol based type. They stopped making mercury based thermometers (for common household use) a while ago

posted by Hollie on September 3rd 2009 at 2:13pm
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I use the internet to check the upcoming weather, and a thermometer to check the current temperature.

posted by Laucus116 on September 3rd 2009 at 2:30pm
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I live in Florida. All you need to know is the humidity. Thus, I use the internet.

posted by bonnie van v on September 3rd 2009 at 2:43pm
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weather app on iphone.

posted by Seaside on September 3rd 2009 at 3:18pm
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Radio:traffic and weather together on the 8's

A thermometer can't tell you whether you'll need a raincoat on your way home at the end of the day.

posted by akay on September 3rd 2009 at 3:47pm
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iPhone. can check the weather where i live (the beach) as well as downtown and in the valley.

posted by Matt. M on September 3rd 2009 at 4:28pm
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I am addicted to weather.com.
Seriously. Doppler radar is my fave :)

posted by lexixd on September 3rd 2009 at 5:47pm
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Although I voted the internet, I may also look out my window several stories down to the street to see how people are dressed.

posted by Pixie on September 3rd 2009 at 6:17pm
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used to be internet on my computer, but have moved to iPhone

posted by amerynn on September 3rd 2009 at 7:18pm
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I either look at it on the internet or just go without knowing.

posted by ChrisGal on September 4th 2009 at 6:34am
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