Only Computer stores will refer to your Stack/Tower/Slimline, as a CPU. Can't remember the reason I was told by the bloke at CompUSA but I don't really care much for the fact that PC Hardware suppliers to the masses get terminology wrong.
The problem with this is quite annoyingly profound really.
Given that the Computer Literate are out-numbered nearly 10:1, and as always is the way; when you have one particular group using terms for something, if the majority believe it to be true then that's what they will call it.
What is more annoying is because according to these people you've only be using computers longer, and the Floor Staff at CompUSA are the "Professionals", your the one who has it wrong.
One particular recent argument is kinda branded on my brain right now; That the G4TV Presenters are Experts on the Next-Generation Hardware, in particular what the Playstation 3 is capable of. Far more than any developer would ever know because they have "Press Access". You can't argue facts with people like this either, because while being told I was completely wrong; I was then told that the Playstation 3 has more "Floating" thingies than everyone else.
I then proceeded to explain what a Floating-Point was, why the more than can be pushed is beneficial to 3D Applications extra. Just to be spouted that the PS3 has more so it's better. Trying to explain that the ONLY reason the console has more of these things is because of the Graphics Card, which the then just released GeForce 7 was showing although the card is an improvement; it's specifications doesn't show that it is capable of out-performing it's predecessor by quite what NVIDIA were claiming.
It was mostly an arguement about how I believe that Killzone 2 wasn't real... even an iota.
Still despite explaining the power difference, showing several articles on the subject, explaining how the technology works and why, I STILL knew less than these G4 experts.
I've never watched the channel, but while I understand that most computer reporters are avid technology buffs; fact still kinda remains that people actually working with the technology you'd think would know more about what's going on, no? But aparently not.
And this is the serious problem. You could put yourself into a position where you'll meet alot of people who will see you as an expert say a floor staff at CompUSA; and tell everyone who wants a Graphics card that, such-n-such has a Fo Shizzle Processor which provides far more colours allowing better graphics..
After a few weeks you'll find out that that same card has an unspecified new processor that everyone wants in the next competitive brand card too.
So of course you'll see one card putting in a Shizzle Pro, and the competitor putting one in but calling it something different like a Nizzle Pro. Two new completely pointless processors to outdo the other all because some idiot believed a store clerk and started bragging sounding all technical.
I mean the entire computer industry has and will forever run on rumours to push each brand forward.. Above is perhaps a most extreme case, but the morons rule our terminology.
WiFi for example. I have no sodding idea where this came from, but it's definately a buzz word out of comtrol. I sure as hell don't remember the early Wireless Connections being called that..
It's something that seems to have appeared since routers became a big thing.
I mean the only other technology we call like that is HiFi, which for those who aren't aware stands for High Fidelity. Wireless Fidelity makes no sense though, what the heck does it stand for?
I'm sure there are others but I can't think of them right now.
