Subscribe now

Letter: Digital excess

Published 17 October 1998

From Mike Kelly

Following Feedback’s comments on excessive numbers of characters used to identify products
(5 September and
Letters, 3 October, p 57),
I recently dealt with a travel insurance company who insisted I quote their 28-character
reference in all communication (CIL97/ 00001330/2422/OPS$YAMA). This is
more characters than are required for the English language.

Farnborough, Hampshire

Issue no. 2156 published 17 October 1998

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop