Naming Computers [ was: Re: A Momentous Decision ]

From: Lawrence Walker <lgwalker_at_mts.net>
Date: Mon Oct 21 18:55:00 2002

 I'm sorry but you guys are weird. Unless required by some _at_!@#$! net
system driven by paranoid corporate business concerns, I call my computers
by what they are. Maybe the Grid 1520 with the failed HD when I have
multiples, or the pristine PC that I have to do work on to distinguish it from
my other ones that are referred to with identifying characteristics.

 Not that I don't have machines which I dote on, but they are not interactive
pets like my dog or former cats or even some acquaintances who I name
but have infrequent contact with. In this world of dehumanization it is well to
remember that "Hal" is only a machine no matter how powerfull or lifelike.
The state machine is removed enough that we need not concern ourselves
with familiarity yet it affects our every action. The trends like "pet rocks" are
only indications of our alienation from society in general. Rocks,as most
inanimate things, like computers, demand little response and most of us
take the easy way and identify with that which gives us the least amount of
trouble. This analysis falls down when we consider the amount of time we
can spend on some obdurate computer that refuses to respond to our tender
care. But then again we are a spot weird, and not to be confused with
ordinary mortals. A tech support for the goddessess of Delphi. And Death to
the invading forces of Microsloth.

Lawrence

from society in general.

> I started with mountain names (heck, everyone does, but then
> I *really* like some mountains). But I tried to use
> original names whenever possible (citlaltepetl, popocatepetl,
> iztaccihuatl, jimulco). Then I followed with aztec deities
> (coyolxhauqui, chimalpopoca, tezcatlipoca, huitzilopochtli...).
> Nahuatl language is just great for naming hosts.
>
> Carlos.
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Carlos E. Murillo-Sanchez carlos_murillo_at_nospammers.ieee.org
>


lgwalker_at_mts.net
bigwalk_ca_at_yahoo.com
Received on Mon Oct 21 2002 - 18:55:00 BST