"reboots"

[matticus]

(I've stolen someone else's rant from Reddit

Does it bother anyone else that the definition of Reboot seems to have changed?
The term reboot used to be a complete reset of a film or series (shutting off a computer and restarting or "rebooting" it). However, now the term seems to include simple sequels and prequels as well. A recent example is Mary Poppins. It has been called a reboot repeatedly, but it is clearly intended to be a sequel. It even has "returns" in the name! Does that bother other people aff much as it does me?

 

[GuyBoden]

Bootstraps

 

[Alex321]

I understand what they are saying, but no it doesn't bother me.

I also understand that language, particularly informal usage, changes over time. Sometimes that does bother me a bit even though I understand that, but usually it doesn't. And this one definitely doesn't.

 

[matticus]

Was there another term before "reboots"? I feel it's a *relatively* modern thing.

What did they call Star Trek TNG? That was decades ago ...

 

[matticus]

I also understand that language, particularly informal usage, changes over time. Sometimes that does bother me a bit even though I understand that,

Well feel free to start a thread when it does - we're here for you bro!! x

 

[Electric_Andy]

Would The Office be classed as a reboot then? i.e. They shut down the Ricky Gervais original but re-booted with inferior US software?

 

[GuyBoden]

Was there another term before "reboots"? I feel it's a *relatively* modern thing.

Reboot was a computer term, older Software Engineers would use the term Bootstrapping or Bootstraps, this then became reboot over time in computer terminology. It was then appropriated by non tech people and used as meaningless business jargon. Since then the the word reboot has been used for many inappropriate terms.

I suppose Bootstrapping or Bootstraps must originally be "Pulling up your bootstraps".

 

[gbb]

It's happening even with the term reboot.
In our world, a machine is behaving erratically, you reboot it. It often does work, off, on, problem disappears.

But now we have new engineers coming It, they call it a 'power cycle

It doesn't really bother me, more 'I just wish we could all talk the same jargon

But as said up post, language and use changes all the time, it just seems to happen more nowadays.

 

[MontyVeda]

Reboot was a computer term, older Software Engineers would use the term Bootstrapping or Bootstraps, this then became reboot over time in computer terminology. It was then appropriated by non tech people and used as meaningless business jargon. Since then the the word reboot has been used for many inappropriate terms.

I suppose Bootstrapping or Bootstraps must originally be "Pulling up your bootstraps".

so they'd say 'bootstrapped' when they meant 'turned it off and on again'?

 

[matticus]

Reboot was a computer term, older Software Engineers would use the term Bootstrapping* or Bootstraps, this then became reboot over time in computer terminology. It was then appropriated by non tech people and used as meaningless business jargon. Since then the the word reboot has been used for many inappropriate terms.

Indeedy - but what I was getting at was
what jargon did we use in culture/business arenas before we used "reboot"?

Take something like the TIm Burton Batman! movie (1990-ish?); what were critics calling that? Cos it was quite different from the Adam West years. (But was it better, matticus? Hmmm? answer me that.)

*p.s. I never really worked with anyone using the term "bootstrap", although I have read it various places. I always thought it was a 'merican term, but with no evidence! I may have just missed that generation of techies, not sure ...

 

[C R]

Reboot was a computer term, older Software Engineers would use the term Bootstrapping or Bootstraps, this then became reboot over time in computer terminology. It was then appropriated by non tech people and used as meaningless business jargon. Since then the the word reboot has been used for many inappropriate terms.

I suppose Bootstrapping or Bootstraps must originally be "Pulling up your bootstraps".

But wouldn't bootstrapping be more like writing the bios bit by bit in order to be able to boot a PC?

 

[MontyVeda]

But wouldn't bootstrapping be more like writing the bios bit by bit in order to be able to boot a PC?

that sounds more likely than as a term for simply 'rebooting' a PC

 

[GuyBoden]

But wouldn't bootstrapping be more like writing the bios bit by bit in order to be able to boot a PC?

Yes, Rebooting the Bootstrapping or Bootstraps. Reboot.


Edit: Or this:

"The phrase “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” originated shortly before the turn of the 20th century. It’s attributed to a late-1800s physics schoolbook that contained the example question “Why can not a man lift himself by pulling up on his bootstraps?”"

 

[C R]

Yes, Rebooting the Bootstrapping or Bootstraps. Reboot.


Edit: Or this:

"The phrase “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” originated shortly before the turn of the 20th century. It’s attributed to a late-1800s physics schoolbook that contained the example question “Why can not a man lift himself by pulling up on his bootstraps?”"

View attachment 711446

I thought the term went back to The Adventures of the Baron Münchausen, who lifted himself and his horse out of a swamp by pulling on his bootstraps.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

But wouldn't bootstrapping be more like writing the bios bit by bit in order to be able to boot a PC?

The bios does a power on self test of hardware before bootstrapping a software OS.