Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

mitadmissions.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 124 posts

Re: How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

#11

Post by khazhoux »

I still find blackboard + chalk to be a heinous combination. Is this just because my grade school used cheap low-grade chalk?

I do have a weird physiological reaction to 'fffffffff' friction sounds. A hard cheap pencil against cheap paper, making a similar raspy sound as chalk-on-blackboard, with cause me to reflexively (and uncontrollably) suck my lips in tight, as if protecting my teeth from the vibrations. Back in school, after a long homework assignment, my lips would get swollen from doing this. It doesn't happen with pen, doesn't happen with smooth pencils or soft paper. Apparently I'm not the only one with this weird thing.

Re: How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

#12

Post by ChuckNorris89 »

khazhoux wrote: post #11

I still find blackboard + chalk to be a heinous combination. Is this just because my grade school used cheap low-grade chalk? I do have a weird physiological reaction to 'fffffffff' friction sounds. A hard cheap pencil against cheap paper, making a similar raspy sound as chalk-on-blackboard, with cause me to reflexively (and uncontrollably) suck my lips in tight, as if protecting my teeth from the vibrations. Back in…

>Is this just because my grade school used cheap low-grade chalk?

Most likely yeah. I remember reading here about the fairytale that is Japanese chalk and that US professors were hoarding it. I assume it must feel orgasmic.

We didn't have that kind of opulence in Eastern Europe. Chalk and blackboards here sucked ass, including the cleanup process students were responsible for. Schools switched to whiteboards and markers ASAP.

Although much easier to maintain, whiteboards and markers have shitty contrast, especially if light or reflections hit them at the wrong angle. Matte blackboards were much better at absorbing light and unwanted reflections which I guess is why they're still used today.

Re: How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

#13

Post by hcazz »

choeger wrote: post #6

I have to ask. Why is it "white"-board vs. "chalk"-board? Back in elementary school, I learned to call the former "black"-board.

To me at least, the different types are easy to understand.

White-board - the color of the board is white, it is used for dry erase markers.

Black-board - the color of the board is black, it is used with chalk.

Chalk-board - the color of the board doesn't matter, it likely uses chalk to write with and is therefore a "blackboard" as well.

Re: How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

#14

Post by timthorn »

ChuckNorris89 wrote: post #12
khazhoux wrote: post #11

I still find blackboard + chalk to be a heinous combination. Is this just because my grade school used cheap low-grade chalk? I do have a weird physiological reaction to 'fffffffff' friction sounds. A hard cheap pencil against cheap paper, making a similar raspy sound as chalk-on-blackboard, with cause me to reflexively (and uncontrollably) suck my lips in tight, as if protecting my teeth from the vibrations. Back in…

>Is this just because my grade school used cheap low-grade chalk? Most likely yeah. I remember reading here about the fairytale that is Japanese chalk and that US professors were hoarding it. I assume it must feel orgasmic. We didn't have that kind of opulence in Eastern Europe. Chalk and blackboards here sucked ass, including the cleanup process students were responsible for. Schools switched to whiteboards and mark…

> I remember reading here about the fairytale that is Japanese chalk

Specifically Hagoromo chalk, I think

Re: How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

#15

Post by [deleted] »

gumby wrote: post #7
choeger wrote: post #6

I have to ask. Why is it "white"-board vs. "chalk"-board? Back in elementary school, I learned to call the former "black"-board.

Not an explantion, but I do remember when they first arrived (there was one the year I began high school -- new physics teacher got to set it up how he wanted) and no new ones when I left. I also saw then appear at MIT, again, mainly new construction/renovation. Chalk boards came in black or green. That name is lost in history, to me. Whiteboards were kind of a shock by comparison -- bright rather than dark -- so it…

[deleted]

Re: How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

#18

Post by echelon »

e0 wrote: post #10
choeger wrote: post #6

I have to ask. Why is it "white"-board vs. "chalk"-board? Back in elementary school, I learned to call the former "black"-board.

Regional variation? When I was growing up (in California, in the 1970s and 80s), we called them chalkboards because, you know, you used chalk to write on them. Also, they were often green. Do you call it 'soda' or 'pop'?

> Do you call it 'soda' or 'pop'?

'coke'

Re: How to draw dotted lines on chalkboards, MIT style (2021)

#19

Post by l33t233372 »

ChuckNorris89 wrote: post #12
khazhoux wrote: post #11

I still find blackboard + chalk to be a heinous combination. Is this just because my grade school used cheap low-grade chalk? I do have a weird physiological reaction to 'fffffffff' friction sounds. A hard cheap pencil against cheap paper, making a similar raspy sound as chalk-on-blackboard, with cause me to reflexively (and uncontrollably) suck my lips in tight, as if protecting my teeth from the vibrations. Back in…

>Is this just because my grade school used cheap low-grade chalk? Most likely yeah. I remember reading here about the fairytale that is Japanese chalk and that US professors were hoarding it. I assume it must feel orgasmic. We didn't have that kind of opulence in Eastern Europe. Chalk and blackboards here sucked ass, including the cleanup process students were responsible for. Schools switched to whiteboards and mark…

Hagoromo does feel pretty nice to write with. It’s thicker and it writes smoother than standard chalk. It also has some sort of coating on the sides so it doesn’t get everywhere. It doesn’t break easily when dropped.

It’s good but not hilariously better than decent chalk.

I find that because of the coating you have to pick a side that you’re going to write with, and this small amount of mental energy is a small roadblock. It also seems shorter than regular chalk, although this could just be that the pieces I use are used frequently!

Post reply on HN