4 ms·

> Multiplayer? Is this a game? Many document editors describe the “collaborative Google-docs like model” of multiple people working on the same document and se

> Multiplayer? Is this a game? Many document editors describe the “collaborative Google-docs like model” of multiple people working on the same document and seeing everyone’s updates in real time as “multiplayer”

PurpleRamen 3y ago
First time I see this as far as I'm aware. Usually it's collaborative editing. Bit misleading.
- ncallaway 3y ago
  Dunno what to tell you. It’s a term used (not super commonly, but not infrequently either) in the space. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22multiplayer%22+document+editor https://www.google.com/search?q=%22multiplayer%22+document+e... I don’t think it’s misleading, given the existing usage.
  - omniglottal 3y ago
    Misusage pre-existing does not make that existing usage not an abuse. Language is both prescriptive and descriptive - someone prescribing the wrong word is still wrong, as it fails to be accurately descriptive.
    - ncallaway 3y ago
      Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Yours is basically an argument against domain specific language that doesn’t agree with common language.
      - hgs3 3y ago
        Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?" The term "multiplayer" is correct if you refer to them as a "player" but if instead you refer to them as a "user" then "multiuser" is correct. > Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Word misuse proliferates because those using terms incorrectly are not corrected. Instead of doubling down, there should be a course correction. I recommend using this as an opportunity to highlight the unprofessionalism of your competitors.
        ncallaway 3y ago
        >Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?" But "multiuser" already has an existing connotation that is different that "multiplayer". Multiplayer indicates a stronger "real-time, everyone sees the exact same thing", while "multiuser" is a weaker term. "Multiplayer" is used specifically _because_ the experience is supposed to be a parallel to the place where the term originated: video games. The idea of a "multiplayer" document editing experience is all users are _occupying_ the same space (and often can even see each other). > I recommend using this as an opportunity to highlight the unprofessionalism of your competitors. I'm not in the space. I'm just aware of the space. I don't find the behavior of people in the space to be unprofessional. Thank you for attempting to "correct" my behavior.
        plagiarist 3y ago
        "Unlike our competitors, we're pedantic to the point of rejecting industry-common colloquialisms. Do you think note taking is a game? It is not. This is serious business. Fuck whimsy."
        sebzim4500 3y ago
        If the rest of the world is using a word a certain way, they are right and you are wrong and no amount of whinging about it is going to change that.
    - judge2020 3y ago
      And yet language is fluid, constantly changing. New words are made up, existing words are misused enough to have new definitions encompassing what the cultural normative usage is.
- have_faith 3y ago
  The term has been around for a while. I think there's a subtle distinction between "collaborative editing" and "multi-player". With the latter normally implying that there are real-time visual cues as to where the other users are, what they are doing, distinguishing styles, etc. More like what you get from a game. Within front-end it seems to be well understood.
jasonjmcghee 3y ago
Figma may have popularized its use in this context https://www.figma.com/blog/multiplayer-editing-in-figma/ https://www.figma.com/blog/multiplayer-editing-in-figma/ (2016) and they've continued to use the term.
esafak 3y ago
Multi-user.

PurpleRamen 3y ago

First time I see this as far as I'm aware. Usually it's collaborative editing. Bit misleading.

ncallaway 3y ago
Dunno what to tell you. It’s a term used (not super commonly, but not infrequently either) in the space. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22multiplayer%22+document+editor https://www.google.com/search?q=%22multiplayer%22+document+e... I don’t think it’s misleading, given the existing usage.
- omniglottal 3y ago
  Misusage pre-existing does not make that existing usage not an abuse. Language is both prescriptive and descriptive - someone prescribing the wrong word is still wrong, as it fails to be accurately descriptive.
  - ncallaway 3y ago
    Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Yours is basically an argument against domain specific language that doesn’t agree with common language.
    - hgs3 3y ago
      Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?" The term "multiplayer" is correct if you refer to them as a "player" but if instead you refer to them as a "user" then "multiuser" is correct. > Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Word misuse proliferates because those using terms incorrectly are not corrected. Instead of doubling down, there should be a course correction. I recommend using this as an opportunity to highlight the unprofessionalism of your competitors.
      - ncallaway 3y ago
        >Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?" But "multiuser" already has an existing connotation that is different that "multiplayer". Multiplayer indicates a stronger "real-time, everyone sees the exact same thing", while "multiuser" is a weaker term. "Multiplayer" is used specifically _because_ the experience is supposed to be a parallel to the place where the term originated: video games. The idea of a "multiplayer" document editing experience is all users are _occupying_ the same space (and often can even see each other). > I recommend using this as an opportunity to highlight the unprofessionalism of your competitors. I'm not in the space. I'm just aware of the space. I don't find the behavior of people in the space to be unprofessional. Thank you for attempting to "correct" my behavior.
      - plagiarist 3y ago
        "Unlike our competitors, we're pedantic to the point of rejecting industry-common colloquialisms. Do you think note taking is a game? It is not. This is serious business. Fuck whimsy."
      - sebzim4500 3y ago
        If the rest of the world is using a word a certain way, they are right and you are wrong and no amount of whinging about it is going to change that.
  - judge2020 3y ago
    And yet language is fluid, constantly changing. New words are made up, existing words are misused enough to have new definitions encompassing what the cultural normative usage is.
have_faith 3y ago
The term has been around for a while. I think there's a subtle distinction between "collaborative editing" and "multi-player". With the latter normally implying that there are real-time visual cues as to where the other users are, what they are doing, distinguishing styles, etc. More like what you get from a game. Within front-end it seems to be well understood.

jasonjmcghee 3y ago

Figma may have popularized its use in this context https://www.figma.com/blog/multiplayer-editing-in-figma/ https://www.figma.com/blog/multiplayer-editing-in-figma/ (2016) and they've continued to use the term.

esafak 3y ago

Multi-user.