Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site Shasta.ARPA
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!decwrl!glacier!Shasta!gus
From: gus@Shasta.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Fans and 0db
Message-ID: <9@Shasta.ARPA>
Date: Sun, 26-Jan-86 13:57:47 EST
Article-I.D.: Shasta.9
Posted: Sun Jan 26 13:57:47 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 28-Jan-86 05:39:33 EST
References: <1345@mhuxt.UUCP> <479@ssc-vax.UUCP> <2613@amdahl.UUCP> <246@tolerant.UUCP> <2630@amdahl.UUCP>
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 19

> Just remember that the definition of 0 (zero) db is that it is
> the level of sound at which a person with normal hearing can
> just begin to detect a sound.  This means that for a fan to be
> totaly inaudable to a normal ear it must make less than zero db.
> 
> This is a tall order.  (Some of us don't work in the kitchen near
> the fridge and don't have forced air heat and don't live near a
> freeway and don't ... quiet is below zero.)
> -- 
> E. Michael Smith  ...!{hplabs,ihnp4,amd,nsc}!amdahl!ems
> 
> This is the obligatory disclaimer of everything.

Note that in a quiet room, even a fanless mac makes some noise - the 60 hz
hum coming from the analog section, not that this really bothers me.
Actually, a bit more does. I'm one of those hackers that keys onto every
little noise that the computer makes. I often have to turn off the air
conditioner in the middle of summer and turn off another large printer with
a loud fan just so that I can hear what is going on inside.