Retronym: computer website

[Dan Goncharoff]

I haven't done a lot of reading in the space, but I have seen the word
'traditional' used to mean a website formatted for PCs, in contrast to
mobile websites that suit tablets and smartphones.

DanG


On Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 2:04 PM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at ix.netcom.com>wrote:

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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM>
> Subject:      Re: Retronym: computer website
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I don't think that's the case at all. Many PC users also make the =
> distinction.
>
> I have no idea what Don and I were discussing, but it seems we agree =
> that PC can mean Wintel machines only or include Macs.
>
> And getting back to the original question, I think "PC website" would be =
> ambiguous.
>
> Benjamin Barrett
> Seattle, WA
>
> Learn Ainu! https://sites.google.com/site/aynuitak1/videos
>
> On Jul 23, 2013, at 11:08 PM, W Brewer <brewerwa at GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
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> > Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> > Poster:       W Brewer <brewerwa at GMAIL.COM>
> > Subject:      Re: Retronym: computer website
> > =
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------=
> -----
> >=20
> > =46rom the Barrett-Goncharoff exchange, it seems that Wintel users =
> have no
> > qualms about using <PC> as a generic for a desktop or portable =
> computer
> > with traditional keyboard & monitor/screen. But Mac folks get upset at =
> the
> > extension of <PC> to their products. I predict that <PC> has a good =
> chance
> > of becoming a universal generic because:  (1) Wintel proprietors have =
> never
> > aggressively resisted the loss of a <<PC>> trademark through serious
> > litigation (I guess they never took dictionary purveyors to court over =
> the
> > matter, common adjective & noun after all); (2) Wintel users represent =
> a
> > global critical mass; (3) Mac/Apple folks have no catchy alternative =
> to
> > generic <PC>, hence this thread; indeed, they mostly seem to stick =
> their
> > heads in the sand and decry the inevitability of language change. =
> There's
> > nobody to sue.
> > Wikipedia s.v. <<IBM Personal Computer>> (original IBM PC model 5150, =
> 1981)
> > Begin quote:
> > Alongside "microcomputer" and "home computer", the term "personal =
> computer"
> > was already in use before 1981. It was used as early as 1972 to
> > characterize Xerox PARC's Alto. However, because of the success of the =
> IBM
> > Personal Computer, the term PC came to mean more specifically a
> > microcomputer compatible with IBM's PC products.
> > End quote
> > Also Wikip s.v. <<Influence of the IBM PC on the personal computer =
> market>>
>
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