Three

I'm sick of this whole base 2/binary number system that's holding us back computer-wise. Just think if we'd switch to base 3... would that be correctly labeled as a tertiary number system? Imagine the possibilities! That extra bit (Wait.... bit? Isn't that short for "binary digit"? So that's not right. What would we call a "tertiary digit"? ) would mean a world of difference. Think of all the extra information that could be encoded.

"But", you rudely say, "computers use binary code because it represents an "off/on", "yes/no" state that can be represented in the electronic world by the given state of a circuit being open or closed, or charged or not charged."

First of all, can't you just talk in simpler terms? Yeah, we get it... you're smart. Does that mean you must speak like you've just digested and regurgitated a user manual translated into English by some Hong Kong firm using Czech as an intermediate language? Moreover, you don't get it. Sure, the current binary code is based on an "either/or" possible state. But isn't there really three possible states? "Either, Or, Who Cares?".... or "Yes, No, Maybe?". Okay then.

Just think of what a change to a tertiary number system could do for, say, DVD authoring and encoding. Since we'd be using base 3 instead of base 2 logic would say that we could thus encode 3D images on DVDs. Imagine the joy of seeing "The Honeymooners" starring Jackie Gleason in glorious Three-Dee after reauthoring and retransferring that classical 1950s sitcom using the much more versitile tertiary number system!!!

Or how about odor? Couldn't we use that extra number place to encode aromas into the DVD experience? Imagine the smell of melting chocolate in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", or the stench of sweat and defeat in the lockeroom scenes of "Bull Durham."

Music CDs could be improved, too, in this manner. Instead of just hearing that CD of a live concert recording, one could also get all the associated odors that accompany the live arena event.

And these are just three possible application, my friends. Just three. Or rather 10.