Re: spelling of disc (disk) in /devfs

Richard B. Johnson
2001-02-01T19:10:21Z

On Thu, 1 Feb 2001 idalton@ferret.phonewave.net 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

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"Memory is like gasoline. You use it up when you are running. Of
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