[Phys-L] Re: Charts or Graphs, and other Excel stuff

[jsd at AV8N.COM (John Denker)]

Edmiston, Mike wrote:
>  I am wondering if these things bother other people, or if I am
> just an old fashioned crabby guy.

My turn to be crabby:  Please use the term _spreadsheet_ not
"Excel".

Not all copiers are made by Xerox (although Xerox did invent them).

Not all spreadsheets are Excel, and despite what billg would have
you believe, he did *not* invent them.

> but I sure would prefer they call a graph a graph.

I find the following analogy helps get the point across:  If you
walk into a restaurant, even a non-fancy restaurant, you will
embarass yourself if you order a serving of cow or pig.  The
accepted terms are beef and pork.

> it's his way or the highway.

I say to the students:  Here is how I recommend doing it: ______
Why should you call a graph a graph, and a chart a chart?  Please
don't think you are doing it to please me.  You should do it out
of respect for yourself.  I assume *you* want to use the right
terminology, so *you* don't embarass yourself.  You are paying me
to help you with this.