24 Nov
2008
24 Nov
'08
1:54 p.m.
> > 5.25"
> OK. So it _could_ have been a
> typo/thinko/not-know-o/whatever.
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008, Mr Ian Primus wrote:
That's what I would bet on. While the knowledge
that diskettes come in
three primary sizes (8", 5 1/4" and 3 1/2") is common among us geeks,
the general population has entirely forgotten about 8" disks, and refers
to 5 1/4" disks as "those big bendy disks", "five inch disks",
or
Virtually EVERYONE who is an ignoranus, or wasn'y involved in those days
call them 5"
similar. Remember all the people that called 3
1/2" disks "hard disks"?
Also calling them 3" and calling them
3.25".
I always kept a 3" and a 3.25" disk handy to wave in the air every time
that error occurred.
Even computer companies - people that should know
better, make mistakes
when talking about floppy disks. Last week I was in a Staples store
(American office supply store chain), and saw a Memorex 3 1/2" USB
floppy drive, the package stating clearly that it supported "1.44mb
double sided and 720k single sided diskettes".
"We got that" has never had a clue about ANYTHING involving electronics,
or even office supplies.