4 ms·

In my mind (in the context of local file systems) the terms are basically the same although folders are usually objects that end users interact with. If someone

In my mind (in the context of local file systems) the terms are basically the same although folders are usually objects that end users interact with. If someone says the "c:\windows\system32" folder or "/etc" folder I know what they mean but it sounds odd. Often though it just reflects how recently you started using computers (more than MS vs Unix). I predominantly work in Windows but I call them directories but then I started with MS-DOS (and you type "dir" for a listing, right?). If you started using computers with a GUI (and that's where you're most comfortable) then you might think of them as folders because on most platforms that's what the icon looks like. I think the "folder" metaphor starts to break down a bit as soon as you're dealing with remote systems. Navigating to a parent "folder" on a remote FTP sounds weird to me, and it's telling that when browsing a FTP in a web browser even Internet Explorer 11 refers to directories - e.g. "Up to higher level directory" not higher level folder.

pdimitar 10y ago
> but it sounds odd > it just reflects how recently you started using computers > sounds weird to me Are those actual arguments? I am not sure the parent poster asked what you found "weird" or wanted you to imply you use computers for a long time. For what is worth, I'd still prefer "mount point" or "access point" to both "directory" or "folder" when talking about remote systems. So I am not bashing you -- it's just that your comment is full of subjectivity.
- DharmaPolice 10y ago
  >Are those actual arguments? Well I'm not attempting to convince anyone of anything so no, not really. Merely my observations on a topic I find interesting. There are many things where I think there is a correct answer worth campaigning for, but folders vs directories is not one of them. It's a bit like whether you say "soda", "pop" or "coke", this might reflect where you come from [1] but that isn't an argument that one of the terms is right or wrong. My comment was indeed full of subjectivity which was intentional - apologies if I didn't make that clear up front. [1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/soda-vs-pop_n_2103764.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/soda-vs-pop_n_21037...

pdimitar 10y ago

> but it sounds odd > it just reflects how recently you started using computers > sounds weird to me Are those actual arguments? I am not sure the parent poster asked what you found "weird" or wanted you to imply you use computers for a long time. For what is worth, I'd still prefer "mount point" or "access point" to both "directory" or "folder" when talking about remote systems. So I am not bashing you -- it's just that your comment is full of subjectivity.

DharmaPolice 10y ago
>Are those actual arguments? Well I'm not attempting to convince anyone of anything so no, not really. Merely my observations on a topic I find interesting. There are many things where I think there is a correct answer worth campaigning for, but folders vs directories is not one of them. It's a bit like whether you say "soda", "pop" or "coke", this might reflect where you come from [1] but that isn't an argument that one of the terms is right or wrong. My comment was indeed full of subjectivity which was intentional - apologies if I didn't make that clear up front. [1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/soda-vs-pop_n_2103764.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/soda-vs-pop_n_21037...