Technical History - Words or terms we use

[Rx_]

Many of the concepts and terms used today have a history.

Found this interesting:
We commonly use the word BUG to describe an error.
http://www.telegraph-history.org/bug/index.html
The Origin of the Word "Bug"

The technical and legal history

Concepts include Duplex, errors (bug), false signeals, Bug Trap...
The issue was not always to eliminate the error (bug), but to devise a way to render it ineffective.

There were court cases over the word Bug. The foundation of moving electronic data was with the Telegraph.

 

[kevlray]

I had always heard that the word "bug" as related to computers was when a moth got stuck in a relay of an early computer (I forget which one it was).

 

[rzw0wr]

That is what I heard also. It was the first one. Had to look for bugs in the tubes.

HACK, I heard started in Cal at a college or university that ran "O" size trains by computer.
Each incoming class would hack up the track to try some different.

Dale

 

[RainLover]

Some terms we use have no technical meaning.

For example "SPAM"

 

[RainLover]

This one would be known by most 50 plus year olds but the younger set may not know.

That is with Email. We have TO, CC and BCC. I wonder how many know what the latter two mean.

 

[Vassago]

This one would be known by most 50 plus year olds but the younger set may not know.

That is with Email. We have TO, CC and BCC. I wonder how many know what the latter two mean.

Carbon Copy and Blind Carbon Copy.

 

[RainLover]

Carbon Copy and Blind Carbon Copy.

That did not last long. But I would still think there are those that do not know what a Carbon Copy is.

Vassago, what about SPAM.

 

[kevlray]

Of course Blind Carbon Copy was tricky before computers.

 

[RainLover]

Of course Blind Carbon Copy was tricky before computers.

I guess what I am looking for is, "What is a Carbon Copy"

Most would know but I believe some would have no idea.

 

[Vassago]

That did not last long. But I would still think there are those that do not know what a Carbon Copy is.

Vassago, what about SPAM.

Interestingly that one came up the other day. I've always thought it wasn't an acronym for anything in particular and we just use it because, well, Spam, the spiced ham variety, is disgusting.

 

[Vassago]

I guess what I am looking for is, "What is a Carbon Copy"

Most would know but I believe some would have no idea.

Like physical carbon copies of receipts or contracts?

 

[kevlray]

Carbon copy was back in the day before copiers. There is this special kind of paper that actually had carbon on one side. Normally used in a typewriter. You would have a sandwich of the original paper were to type on, the carbon paper and another piece of paper that would 'receive' the imprint from where the first paper was typed on. If you made a mistake, it was impossible to fix. Also sometimes the papers would shift in the typewriter and it became very frustrating.

 

[Rx_]

http://www.kevinlaurence.net/essays/cc.php
The Exciting History of Carbon Paper - actually with full references

Thanks for reminding me! In my high-school, I took 4 full years of typing. Before I could touch the school's only Electric Typewriter - I had to be certified at 55 WPM with no more than one mistake per page on a ten page formatted document.

But, what I wanted to thank you for...
Now that I don't use actual Carbon Paper, I am applying for the Carbon Reduction Tax Credit! LOL

 

[RainLover]

Interestingly that one came up the other day. I've always thought it wasn't an acronym for anything in particular and we just use it because, well, Spam, the spiced ham variety, is disgusting.

You are close but you don't win the prize.

SPAM is indeed ham in a tin. A luxury for some in times gone by.

But for the real reason as to why it is used in computer speak is because someone had a warped sense of humour.

You need to refer to a skit from Monty Python where everything on the menu has spam.

There was Bacon and eggs and Spam or
Eggs and Bacon and Spam or
Spam with Bacon and Eggs.

Plus a few more. There may be something on uTube.

Well that is my understanding and I will stick to it.

 

[Galaxiom]

Some day in the not too distant future people will wonder why the little rectangular things they store their files on are called "disks" when they are not even round.

It is already quite ironic that now the floppy has gone, the lowest density storage media are called "Compact Disks".

Some of the files in the "disk" will be "footage" of movies that had never been on anything measured in feet or any other lineal measuement.

We have tar files (short for tape archive) and they will persist long after the concept of recording anything on a tape is gone. My wife still asks me to "tape" television shows on the HDR.

 

[spikepl]

Yeah. Who has "dialled" a number recently? What is a "broken record", you know, one "stuck in a groove"?

 

[RainLover]

Here is one for our overseas Cousins. Non Australian.

What is a "Thunder Box"

BTW This is certainly one thread for the mature generation.

 

[Galaxiom]

We still call the plant Bidens pilosa "Cobbler's pegs" though many wouldn't know what a cobbler was, let alone their pegs.

 

[RainLover]

This is the Monty Python SPAM skit.

It is too silly to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

 

[RainLover]

We still call the plant Bidens pilosa "Cobbler's pegs" though many wouldn't know what a cobbler was, let alone their pegs.

Well you got me.

I do know the plant.

I know what a cobbler is, we have one close by. A real one.

I don't know about the pegs.

EDIT

I finally found it on Google. All searches were taking me to the plant.

Now I find that I actually own one. My dad got it somewhere. It must be very old. 60 plus years at least.