3 ms·

Misusage pre-existing does not make that existing usage not an abuse. Language is both prescriptive and descriptive - someone prescribing the wrong word is stil

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.

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.