Conference thebay::joyoflex

Of course it's not proper - but then how much jargon is?  I prefer
"Notes file".  I suppose the purists would demand "File of notes".

Jeff.

       I prefer 'notes file' or 'notesfile' -- in most contexts, the term
       used is 'notes' rather than 'note', so the name of the file ought
       to follow suit.  The buffers I see when writing this reply are
       'notes_scratch' and 'notes_edit'; the facility's name is VAX
       NOTES; the user-visible references in the software generally seem
       to use 'notes' rather than 'note'.  Why should the documentation
       terminology be any different?
       
       [re .1: the purists might actually demand 'File of Notes and
               Replies'.]
       
       --Don

I've been using 'note file' since I learned of its use the documentation 
of VAX NOTES, but I, too, prefer 'notes file' or 'notesfile'.

Dave C.

A jar of cookies is a "cookie jar," not a "cookies jar." Likewise,
a carton of eggs is an "egg carton," a book of addresses is an "address book,"
and a file of pages is a "page file."

So a file of notes should be a "note file," no?

					Val

"Note file" is to "File of notes" as "Teacup" is to "Cup of tea" :-)

Jeff.

================================================================================
                      SUMMIT::PACK01:[NOTES]JOYOFLEX.NOT;1
 R2ME2::RODGERS                  The Joy of Lex               19-NOV-1985 23:08
 Note 113.6                         Notefile                            6 of 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         I think the main reason I invented "notefile" is because
         "notesfiles" (the plural form) sounded like a
         toungue-twister.  If I needed more justification, I'd point
         to note 113.4 -- great logic, and great name. (-: 

         I admit the defense for my choice of the term is somewhat weak.
         (Please remember that I was totally new to VAX Notes at the
         time I rejoined DEC in March, and hadn't realized that
         "notesfiles" was so popular a term.)  As long as the term
         "notefile" is not confusing to someone encountering the product for
         the first time, I'm content to let it stay.
         
         I hesitate to change now for three reasons: 1) notefile is
         short and, therefore, preferred (at least by me); 2) time is
         extremely tight (since I interrupted the project to have a baby)
         and I think you can understand that this change would have a
         very low priority; and 3) I'm sure to miss some occurrence of
         the term "notefile" in the last minute rush, and risk causing
         confusion and/or appearing slovenly (or worse) when the
         inconsistency is discovered. 
         
         I have brought this discussion to the attention of my
         esteemed project leader, and I'll keep an open mind.  But
         I have to say this is one of the teeniest nits to come
         up on VAX Notes.  I could use some help deciding between
         "member record" and "membership record" -- I use both
         terms in the manual (unintentionally).  What do you think?
         I'd be interested to hear comments about other terminology
         for VAX Notes.
         
         Val
         
         

  I wrote the base note after reading 10.9 where Jon Callas commented on
  "fontfile" and "font file."  I would have to agree that "note file" would
  be better English, while "notefile" or "notesfile" would be jargon.

  "NOTES file" would mean "file used by the NOTES utility."  This wouldn't
  have been an unreasonable term, although it's probably still jargon.
  My view is that "notesfile" was a contraction of "NOTES file" that,
  through frequent usage, became part of the vocabulary, along with the
  noun "noter" and the verb "to note."

  There was no ax to grind.  I wanted and got some discussion.  Whether
  or not the manual should be changed is your decision, of course, and
  I would not be upset if you did not change it.  As for me, I prefer to
  write "note file" or "notes file" from now on, but I think we will
  continue to see all the variations.

  Interestingly enough, I observe that there is a subculture of noters
  who call a note (for example, note 113 here) a "file."  I don't think
  that they will change that misnomer either.

--Simon

  P.S.  Can't TPU find and change all instances of 'notefile' in your
  RUNOFF file?  (Oh, I guess you don't use RUNOFF anymore.  Whatever
  it is, then.)

  re .8, "notesfile" as contraction of "NOTES file":

  Scratch that theory.  K-NOTES' prompt for the 'NOTES' command's parameter
  is 'Notesfile'.

       Let's forget about notefile or notesfile; how about a more
       up-to-date term:
       
       The place where notes are kept should be called a notery.
       
       --Don

re .8

I can perform a global replace of "notesfile" for "notefile", but I find it's
not 100% reliable and there's always the possibility that I'll forget to
make the replacement on one file or in a figure or something.  I'm not sure
it's worth the risk.

Editing standards at Spit Brook prohibit the use of the term "NOTES file".
The use of full caps is reserved for command names (indeed, there is a NOTES
command).

For what it's worth, Benn votes for sticking with notefile.  (I happened
to think of another example to support notefile -- how about toolbox?)

Val

Also firetruck and birdhouse!

How about "VAXBI" (pronounced vacks-bee?), the new VAX Bus Interconnect
for mid-range VAX systems (e.g., 8200, 8300, 8800)? 

Tom

    And all this time I'd been calling them "conferences"!