Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id ; Sun, 16 Dec 2001 07:21:19 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id ; Sun, 16 Dec 2001 07:21:09 -0500 Received: from mhw.ulib.iupui.edu ([134.68.164.123]:61378 "EHLO mhw.ULib.IUPUI.Edu") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id ; Sun, 16 Dec 2001 07:20:58 -0500 Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001 07:20:57 -0500 (EST) From: "Mark H. Wood" X-X-Sender: cc: Subject: Re: the name "framebuffer" In-Reply-To: <20011214225559.GA9889@vega.digitel2002.hu> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII To: unlisted-recipients:; (no To-header on input)@localhost.localdomain Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org On Fri, Dec 14, 2001 at 04:40:35PM -0500, Mihai Cartoaje wrote: > As you may recall from chemistry classes, a buffer is a solutee that > reduces pH variations. Since the initials VGA in IBM's display > adapter stand for, "video graphics array," I recommend changing the > name of the devices from "framebuffer" to "video array." I shall > like to know what other people think. Other people think that "buffer" is one of those words which have been used for similar meanings in many disciplines. In computing it is a region of storage used to reduce data rate variations. In materials handling it is a machine for rubbing away surface imperfections in leather or metal (reducing surface variations). In railroading it's a spring-loaded piston used to absorb the energy of low-speed impacts (reducing speed discrepancies). It could be applied to any mechanism designed to mitigate unwanted differences. -- Mark H. Wood, Lead System Programmer mwood@IUPUI.Edu Our lives are forever changed. But *that* is exactly as it always was. - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/