And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
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And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
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Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#2My favorite is "log", named after logbooks. Logbooks have maritime origins, where the ships speed is recorded. Even today, speedometer on ships are in many languages called "a log" since the original method consists of throwing an actual log overboard with a string attached to it. The string would have knots with regular intervals. To determine the speed, you count how many knots pass through your hand in a certain time.
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#3Things like this are great to remind ourselves of some of the rationale for the ways things are.
When I worked at a company which used a lot of Fortran, I kept a punch card at my desk. Among other things this made it easier to explain to new people why there was a column limit for code.
Eventually an HR person came around and told me to remove the card because the top management was coming to visit soon. Among other things this made it easier to understand the role of HR in a large company.
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#4There were patches to machines, cables, memory modules, dresses, etc etc before punch cards. They are all better metaphors than that picture because they offer functionality and aren't just binarily subtractive like the picture.
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#5Things like this are great to remind ourselves of some of the rationale for the ways things are. When I worked at a company which used a lot of Fortran, I kept a punch card at my desk. Among other things this made it easier to explain to new people why there was a column limit for code. Eventually an HR person came around and told me to remove the card because the top management was coming to visit soon. Among other…
> Eventually an HR person came around and told me to remove the card because the top management was coming to visit soon. Among other things this made it easier to understand the role of HR in a large company.
What on earth?
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#6Things like this are great to remind ourselves of some of the rationale for the ways things are. When I worked at a company which used a lot of Fortran, I kept a punch card at my desk. Among other things this made it easier to explain to new people why there was a column limit for code. Eventually an HR person came around and told me to remove the card because the top management was coming to visit soon. Among other…
> Eventually an HR person came around and told me to remove the card because the top management was coming to visit soon. Among other things this made it easier to understand the role of HR in a large company. What on earth?
Yeah I am with you here. Why would you not want management to know you have an educational punch card?
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#7Here's a photo of the first computer "bug" from 1947:
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Eventually an HR person came around and told me to remove the card because the top management was coming to visit soon. Among other things this made it easier to understand the role of HR in a large company. What on earth?
Yeah I am with you here. Why would you not want management to know you have an educational punch card?
Maybe just to make the desks look clean? But yeah, HR... everyone's favourite department, it seems.
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#9There were patches to machines, cables, memory modules, dresses, etc etc before punch cards. They are all better metaphors than that picture because they offer functionality and aren't just binarily subtractive like the picture.
First punch card control system was made in 1725, so it's not exactly a new technology.
Re: And that, kids, is why we call it a “Patch”
#10My favorite is "log", named after logbooks. Logbooks have maritime origins, where the ships speed is recorded. Even today, speedometer on ships are in many languages called "a log" since the original method consists of throwing an actual log overboard with a string attached to it. The string would have knots with regular intervals. To determine the speed, you count how many knots pass through your hand in a certain t…
> To determine the speed, you count how many knots pass through your hand in a certain time.
But how did they count "a certain time"? (Before stopwatches).