[07:53] <zequence> OvenWerks: I try to enjoy. The weather is not as warm as it usually is this time of year. We're the only ones swimming in the ocean, which is barely warm enough to stand :)
[07:54] <zequence> Yes, there's no other form of internet connection here, so I'm using my phone 3G service. This phone only supports 2G and 3G.
[07:55] <zequence> This is actually a laptop, so I should not say PC.
[08:31] <astraljava> Well isn't it a personal computer, too? (as are Macs, btw.) It's a stupid term, in fact.
[12:44] <OvenWerks> astraljava: One could say a PC is a 286...
[12:45] <astraljava> OvenWerks: Ahh... but now you're talking about "IBM-compatible" PC. :D
[12:48] <astraljava> The term "personal computer" dates back prior to the '80s, as when 80286 microprocessor was introduced in Feb. 1982.
[12:50] <astraljava> Michael Dell estimates that there were more than 240M PCs sold in '05, and I doubt there were that many desktops, so I'm guessing he means laptops, as well. Still, if you stick to the actual definition:"a compact computer that uses a microprocessor and is designed for individual use, as by a person in an office or at home or school, for such applications as word processing, data management,
[12:50] <astraljava> financial analysis, or computer games", a Mac is no different, either. :p
[12:51] <OvenWerks> I guess so. But PC seemed to be an IBM thing.
[12:52] <astraljava> Sure, just in the middle. :D
[12:52] <OvenWerks> personal on it's own means one user, so maybe linux doesn't fit.
[12:53] <astraljava> No, I don't think it means that. I think it means users, so that not everybody use the same user account.
[12:53] <astraljava> *uses
[12:54] <OvenWerks> So a "PC" used as a server?
[12:55] <astraljava> Well, depends. A server as a separate box, or server applications?
[12:55] <astraljava> You can have multiple user accounts in your personal computer, without connecting it to an external server.
[12:55] <OvenWerks> The one I have under the stairs is a box
[12:56] <OvenWerks> It may have several people connected at once either ssh or web based
[12:56] <astraljava> Yes, in that case the machine you'd use to connect to that server would be the PC you're referring to.
[12:57] <OvenWerks> There is no physical difference from my desktop... except it is an old 32 bit :)
[12:57] <astraljava> ...as per that definition I quoted above. :)
[12:59] <OvenWerks> One may do personal computing on a server box too. I guess what I am saying is that PC or personal computer is not a great term.
[13:00] <OvenWerks> One could almost argue that an android or iOS box is closer than any desktop/laptop.
[13:02] <OvenWerks> though interesting small servers have been made with android based boxen.
[13:21] <astraljava> Yes, I believe we can all agree that the definition is not to be taken literally. :D
[13:26] <astraljava> It's just fun to nitpick occasionally on things. :)
[13:37] <OvenWerks> I remember in some docs I once read that they refered to something that didn't make sense as being there for "hysterical" reasons.