[lots of snippage]
I agree with most of what has been said. On both sides. That is Kilo,
Mega, Tera have very specific meanings as defined by the SI. For binary
references the misuse can be made acceptable because its misuse is
usually in an unique context and has become honoured by time and use.
However to me, its not just the size modifiers that are abused, most of
all of plain language has been distorted by IT. Have you ever tried to
write or verbally explain something about computers to someone without
using a word or a phrase that now has some special computer technology
meaning (or two) attached to it? Trying to speak in plain language in
those circumstances produces massive confusion and misunderstanding.
I understand and sympathize with how and why technicians, engineers and
scientist in the computer field keep borrowing plain language words.
But, they never give them back!
As impossible as it sounds, I would like to see a reputable and
inclusive standards committee review the computer or at least Linux
lexicon from time to and suggest alternate and or newly created terms so
that ordinary words can be returned to the ordinary language pool.
By the way, I speak of plain words, because I do not want to restrict
the problem or the solution to the English language alone. In fact,
there are a large number of languages and alphabets in the world. Even
though most borrowings might originally come from English, there need
not be a restriction on what some such standards committee might choose
for a new designation or definition.
POSIX worked.
Hmmm. That's more like 0,04 cents. Sorry.
Regards Bill
This has become OT now - hence noted so in the subject line.
My 0.02c (Australian - about 1 point something of your cents) is that we
can comment on it, but it is natural progression of language and
technology. i.e. It's the way it is.......
And we had better get used to it.
The bible and William Shakespeare's works sounded like plain English at
one stage.
Now I couldn't read them untranslated to any person under 12.
Regards,
Ed.
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