Retronym: computer website

[Benjamin Barrett]

I take it as a given that the world does not differentiate it so cleanly. Here's a good example of proof:

"10 Differences Between Macs and PCs" (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/macs/10-differences-between-macs-and-pcs.htm)

It seems clear that PC has two levels of meaning, one encompassing Macs and one excluding them (hence the uncomfortable feeling I get). Finding how to draw the lines is the question.

Benjamin Barrett
Seattle, WA

Learn Ainu! https://sites.google.com/site/aynuitak1/videos=3D

On Jul 23, 2013, at 1:17 PM, Dan Goncharoff <thegonch at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> I don't need more convincing evidence. I am already convinced.
> 
> So is Wikipedia:
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh
> The *Macintosh* (/
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English>=CB=88<https://en.wikip=
> edia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>
> m <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>=C3=A6<https://en=
> .wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>
> k <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>=C9=A8<https://en=
> .wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>
> n <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>t<https://en.wiki=
> pedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>
> =C9=92 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>=CA=83<https=
> ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Key>
> / <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English>
> *mak-in-tosh*<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Pronunciation_respell=
> ing_key>
> ),[1] <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh#cite_note-1> marketed as *Ma=
> c
> *, is a line of personal
> computers<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer> (PCs)
> designed, developed, and marketed by Apple
> Inc.<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.>
> 
> In the business world, we talk about Apple's share of the PC market, which
> would be zero if Apple doesn't make PCs:
> http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/04/18/apples-mac-took-45-of-th=
> e-profits-in-the-pc-market/
> Apple's Mac Took 45% Of The Profits In The PC Market
> 
> What evidence would actually convince you? Figure that out, and look for
> it, and you will probably find it.
> 
> DanG
> 
> 
> On Tue, Jul 23, 2013 at 4:01 PM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at ix.netcom.com>wro=
> te:
> 
>> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
>> -----------------------
>> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>> Poster:       Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM>
>> Subject:      Re: Retronym: computer website
>> 
>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------=
> ------
>> 
>> On Jul 23, 2013, at 11:16 AM, Dan Goncharoff <thegonch at GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>>> On Tue, Jul 23, 2013 at 1:47 PM, Benjamin Barrett =3D
>> <gogaku at ix.netcom.com>wrote:
>>> =3D20
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Seattle, WA
>>> =3D20
>>> =3D20
>>> I think you are right and you are wrong.
>>> =3D20
>>> Apple itself calls a Mac a Mac and would never call itself a PC. It =3D
>> uses
>>> the term PC for all the Wintel boxes when making comparisons:
>>> =3D20
>>> =3D
>> http://store.apple.com/us/question/answers/mac/how-difficult-is-it-to-swi=
> t=3D
>> ch-from-pc-to-mac/Q7XTPJ2D47F297YY9
>>> =3D20
>>> Much of the rest of the world, however, uses PC to refer to all =3D
>> desktop
>>> machines, including those made by Apple:
>>> =3D20
>>> http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,2355085,00.asp
>>> =3D20
>>> " Slimmer and faster, the Apple iMac 21.5-inch (Late 2012) is the =3D
>> desktop
>>> PC to buy if you're looking to avoid the whole touch-screen =3D
>> conundrum."
>> 
>> 
>> Thank you for this response.
>> 
>> Given the name of their magazine, PC Magazine has a reason for wanting =
> =3D
>> to use "PC" for Macs, just as Apple has a reason not to.
>> 
>> Generally, I feel more comfortable referring to a Mac as a personal =3D
>> computer than a PC, but even "personal computer" makes me feel a little =
> =3D
>> uncomfortable. (And that was the case before I switched to a Mac about =
> =3D
>> five years ago.)
>> 
>> Is there more convincing evidence that much of the rest of the world =3D
>> does not feel uncomfortable referring to Macs as PCs?

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org