"The address Google.com does not exist. Try googling for it."
Hahaha.
In the old days I thought it was funny, tragic, and lame that the computer could not tell the difference between a nonexisting address and a nonexisting Net connection. Then for some years it could. Now it seems we're back again to this ridiculous state.
By the way, I wonder if Google is going to sue Apple for making the Google name a generic verb?
The address Google.com does not exist.
ReplyDeleteGoogle.com is not an address. It is a domain name and a host name. The address for Google.com are 173.194.113.128 173.194.113.130 173.194.113.131 173.194.113.134 173.194.113.142 173.194.113.135 173.194.113.132 173.194.113.137 173.194.113.136 173.194.113.133 173.194.113.129.
I thought it was funny, tragic, and lame that the computer could not tell the difference between a nonexisting address and a nonexisting Net connection.
Sure it can. Even you can do it. Just run the command "ifconfig" and check for the "up" flag on the "en0" device.
Don't type "Google" into Google or you could break the internet! :D
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqxLmLUT-qc
TTL, you're a self-confessed Stephen Fry admirer, understandably. I recommend you read his essay about how he is working to combat his own tendency to pedantry, it's very admirable.
ReplyDelete(I can't seem to find it now, but it was on his blog.)
I know you mean well, are correct, and consider it's important. But you should try to consider how wearing and enervating it is to your friends. This is not trivial. Please.
But you should try to consider how wearing and enervating it is to your friends.
ReplyDeleteApple is not my friend. I couldn't care less if my comment on that Safari message of theirs wears or enervates them. In fact, one would almost hope it does, so that they fix it.
Why are you so thankless? That ifconfig command might one day be useful to you. (Note that your original post was mostly empty calories, whereas my reply dissipates knowledge.)
I am not a pedant. I don't, for example, correct other people's spelling/grammar etc. like so many people like to do.
But being careful about the meaning of concepts is essential for clear thinking -- it is the very basis of philosophy. Sloppiness with concepts leads one's thought processes astray, which in turn can lead to misguided beliefs and poor choices in general.
If pointing out the incorrect use of a concept is seen as inconsiderate, then what basis is there for communication? Just throwing out words without any expectation for them to form coherent thoughts?
In this case, the point of your post was about the poor wording by Apple (why so pedantic, by the way?). And yet, pointing out the other deeper problem/joke in it is problematic for you? I don't get it.
I'm sorry there's this rift. It's pretty astounding to me that there can be such an abyss between understandings.
ReplyDelete