On Wed, Jan 31, 2001 at 06:35:30PM -0600, List User wrote:
> If it's any consolation from (this American) I'm glad it's 'disc' (always
> thought that 'disk' was just for those marketing dweebs who couldn't spell
> right
> in the first place).
And in terms of casual usage, I've nearly always used 'disk' in
reference to media that can be mounted read-write, and 'disc' to media
that can only be mounted read-only.
More technically, 'disc' is a single media layer (usually a CD-ROM) and
'disk' is a removable media device with a protective casing.
Non-removable storage are generally refered to as 'drives'.
Yes, it's confusing.
-- Ferret
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alan Chandler" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 18:19
> Subject: spelling of disc (disk) in /devfs
>
>
> > I accidentally built my 2.4.1 kernel with /devfs so had a interesting
> > few minutes looking round it to see what it was doing.
> >
> > The thing that struck me most was the spelling of disc with a 'c'. As
> > an Englishman this is the correct spelling for me most of the time,
> > but I have come to accept "as a technical term" disk (as in American)
> > is the right name for these devices.
> >
> > I now find myself confused with the new approach.
On Thu, 1 Feb 2001 [email protected] wrote:
[Snipped...]
>
> And in terms of casual usage, I've nearly always used 'disk' in
> reference to media that can be mounted read-write, and 'disc' to media
> that can only be mounted read-only.
>
> More technically, 'disc' is a single media layer (usually a CD-ROM) and
> 'disk' is a removable media device with a protective casing.
>
> Non-removable storage are generally refered to as 'drives'.
>
Webster says (but what did he know), that "disc" is an abbreviation
for "discount", a variation of "disk", or a "phonograph record".
Disk is even more obscure, It relates to plowing and harrowing.
However buried in the text is a reference to "round flat plate coated
with a magnetic substance upon which data for a computer is stored"
Disque isn't listed, and the French Security Police had it
exterminated from the language when it started to show up on
boxes of "disquettes". Last I heard, their 'Disk' is roughly-
translated to "train in a box".
So, we should call them paradigms ;^.
Cheers,
Dick Johnson
Penguin : Linux version 2.4.1 on an i686 machine (799.53 BogoMips).
"Memory is like gasoline. You use it up when you are running. Of
course you get it all back when you reboot..."; Actual explanation
obtained from the Micro$oft help desk.
"Richard B. Johnson" <[email protected]> writes:
> Webster says (but what did he know), that "disc" is an abbreviation
> for "discount", a variation of "disk", or a "phonograph record".
The "Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English"
(1995 edition) says that a disc is:
(also esp US disk)
1. a flat, thin, round object, eg a coin (he wears an identity disc
around his neck)
2. a round surface that appears to be flat (the moon's disc)
3. = record (recordings on disc and cassette) see also compact disc
4. = disk 2
5. (anatomy) a layer of cartilage between the bones of the spine
> Disk is even more obscure, It relates to plowing and harrowing.
> However buried in the text is a reference to "round flat plate coated
> with a magnetic substance upon which data for a computer is stored"
And a disk is:
1. (esp US) disc
2. (computing) a circular plate on which data can be recorded in a
form that can be used by a computer
--
Harald Arnesen, Apall?kkveien 23 A, N-0956 Oslo, Norway