[OT] directories / folders

[David A. Bandel]

On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 12:46, C M Reinehr <cmr at amsent.com> wrote:
> On Thu 03 December 2009 11:28:50 am Bill Campbell wrote:
>> On Thu, Dec 03, 2009, Vu Pham wrote:
>> > When I refer to files and their paths, I have to choice between the
>> > words "directory" and "folder". Some people I talk to have no problem
>> > with  "directory" but some others find "folder" easier to understand.
>>
>> Folders is probably easier for the average non-computer type to
>> understand while computer geeks have been using directories for
>> decades now.
>>
>> Thinking about it, Folder is probably a more logical term as it
>> is a container for files and possibly other folders while the
>> term directory could be something else entirely.
>>
>> Bill
>
> As a certified Geek I have to disagree. As someone with a (very) basic
> understanding of Unix/Linux file structures, I find the term directory to be
> more correct. A directory doesn't contain any files. Rather, it is a list of
> pointers to inodes.
>
> But I agree with your assesment of the "average non-computer type".
> Cheers!

I find the use of the word folder misleading and confusing.  Folders
hold papers, which are not necessarily files.

Anyway, mastery of any subject begins with using the proper
terminology.  And in computers, it's very clearly files and
directories.

Folks looking for folders around me are directed to the nearest file cabinet.

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
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