PC != Windows

[R3450N]

It's annoying when you search for a game and filter it down by OS, you get the following options: Steamplay, PC, Mac and Linux. It seems fine and understandable at first but technically PC, Mac and Linux are all PCs but running different Operating Systems. PC isn't an operating system; it stands for Personal Computer.

As a Linux user, I regard my Linux machine as a PC. I even regarded my previous Windows machine as a PC. I would even regard a Mac OS X machine as a PC. Simply to differentiate one type of PC from another by OS requires marketing terms; hence Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This may seem pessimistic but it's misleading to define Windows as PC because not only are the above reasons true, but Windows (humorously) doesn't even qualify to be a PC since it's also available on other devices, like Linux. If we were to filter our results by device then having PC under such options would be appropriate.

Btw, Mac is a brand name for a PC made by Apple. Mac OS X is the operating system used within the Mac devices.

[Satoru]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από RAVEN MCCCXXXVII:

Regardless of the colloquialism involved with 'PC' does not deter it from what it truly refers to. PC is not an Operating System and is simply a name designated to machines dedicated for users to complete basic user tasks. In order for this to be accomodated, an OS must be provided..

When we're in Cisco CCIE class you can harp on all about how the PC is not an Operating System.

But colloquially the PC is equated with "Windows". This isn't 'technically' correct by any stretch of the imagination. But again if you're trying to market to 'non technical people' then using the term they're most familiar with is appropriate. It's not 'correct' but it's appropriate. Even with in the gaming community "PC gamers" there's a MAGAZINE named that. People talk about it allthe time that way "PC vs Consoles". The usage is utterly ubiquitous at this point.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Satoru:

When we're in Cisco CCIE class you can harp on all about how the PC is not an Operating System.

But colloquially the PC is equated with "Windows". This isn't 'technically' correct by any stretch of the imagination. But again if you're trying to market to 'non technical people' then using the term they're most familiar with is appropriate. It's not 'correct' but it's appropriate.

To add:

Even Apple refers to a Windows OS system as a PC. Clearly they don't care if a MAC is thought of as a PC or not. Probebly want to distance themselves to promote MACs/Apples as something diffrent.

[Suck my Dick!!!]

+

[Satoru]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Spawn of Totoro:

To add:

Even Apple refers to a Windows OS system as a PC. Clearly they don't care if a MAC is thought of as a PC or not. Probebly want to distance themselves to promote MACs/Apples as something diffrent.

Say what you will about the question of "Why is the PC guy so much more nicer than the Mac guy, isn't that totally against how you should be marketing your product?!?!" the "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ad campaign was pure genius.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Satoru:

Say what you will about the question of "Why is the PC guy so much more nicer than the Mac guy, isn't that totally against how you should be marketing your product?!?!" the "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ad campaign was pure genius.

Yes it was. Too bad Jobs is gone. Apple doesn't seem to be going as strong as it used too. I already decided to buy an Android based 7" tables when my iPod (4th gen) touch dies.

[Alevan Zinos]

hi

[R3450N]

PC is used generically to refer to any computer that runs a computer-based operating system such as Mac OS X, Windows, Linux or any other OS that allows a user to complete tasks. Your argument that it refers 'colloquially' to Windows falls apart because you fail to take into account the fact Linux runs on a PC and infact predates Windows as we know of it today.

[GG]

)))))))))

[Andrew]

...

[Spawn of Totoro]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από RAVEN MCCCXXXVII:

PC is used generically to refer to any computer that runs a computer-based operating system such as Mac OS X, Windows, Linux or any other OS that allows a user to complete tasks. Your argument that it refers 'colloquially' to Windows falls apart because you fail to take into account the fact Linux runs on a PC and infact predates Windows as we know of it today.

Your argument that PC is exclusive to all computers, reguardless, falls apart if you go and ask people if they prefer a MAC or PC. Or if you ask what kind of system they have, they will either say MAC/Apple or PC.

That is because thesemantics of the term PC has changed since it's original use.

People define the definition. If everyone said the sky was red, then it would be red. If they call a Windows based computer a PC, then it is a PC.

Your opinion in outweighed by the majority's definition of what a PC is.

Let us use the word "ain't" as an example. It is writen as a Contraction, though it isn't one. It gained a definition by so many people using it, though it was not considdered a "real" word for a long time.

The meaning of PC is less about what it is properly defined as and more about what people think of it as.

All this is due to Semantic change.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_change

And if you don't like it, too bad. That is just how it is.

Good day now.

[Tito Shivan]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Spawn of Totoro:

to be going as strong as it used too. I already decided to buy an Android based 7" tables when my iPod (4th gen) touch dies.

I'm afraid Apple is starting to suffer a problem Microsoft has had for years.
It's called "Ballmer-itis"

[siegeofjones]

Dislike it but its still the truth. Windows = PC.

(I dislike it but eh not too much)

[R3450N]

There's no argument to support what people 'think', but rather what people value. Using your argument, the definition of PC will change overtime and it will, naturally. The definition of a PC will now have to include Linux to it as well because of its increased popularity among PC users. Saying 'I have a Mac' can be correct because the defaulted OS is Mac OS X, but the latter is preferred because one can be misinterpreted. For example, Torvalds uses a Mac but he replaced Mac OS X with Linux. Wherefore, the argument that Mac = Mac OS X also falls apart.

I think a majority of comments displayed in this thread are a consequence of blind-Windows loyalty who seek to equate PC to Windows. It is because of this that Windows is the dominant OS in the market while other OS' be they known or not such as Linux are marginalised. As I'm a Linux user, how do I define the machine I'm using? Depending on the make, it's clearly gonna be Mac or PC.

For this reason, PC != Windows.

[Τhe Rolling Cheese Wheel]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από RAVEN MCCCXXXVII:

There's no argument to support what people 'think', but rather what people value. Using your argument, the definition of PC will change overtime and it will, naturally. The definition of a PC will now have to include Linux to it as well because of its increased popularity among PC users. Saying 'I have a Mac' can be correct because the defaulted OS is Mac OS X, but the latter is preferred because one can be misinterpreted. For example, Torvalds uses a Mac but he replaced Mac OS X with Linux. Wherefore, the argument that Mac = Mac OS X also falls apart.

I think a majority of comments displayed in this thread are a consequence of blind-Windows loyalty who seek to equate PC to Windows. It is because of this that Windows is the dominant OS in the market while other OS' be they known or not such as Linux are marginalised. As I'm a Linux user, how do I define the machine I'm using? Depending on the make, it's clearly gonna be Mac or PC.

For this reason, PC != Windows.

Again you seem to be missing the point. It's not what we say or think, but what the majority say or think that defines a word or in this case the abbreviation. I bet the vast majority of people don't even know what linux is, let alone consider it as an alternative to windows.