The Importance of Terminology's Quality

[George Neuner]

On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 21:03:44 +0000 (UTC), Martin Gregorie
<martin at see.sig.for.address.invalid> wrote:

>On Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:04:05 -0700, Robert Maas, http://tinyurl.com/uh3t
>wrote:
>
>>> From: George Neuner <gneun... at comcast.net> A friend of mine had an
>>> early 8080 micros that was programmed through the front panel using
>>> knife switches
>> 
>> When you say "knife switches", do you mean the kind that are shaped like
>> flat paddles? 
>>
>Pedantic correction:
>
>"Knife switch" is the wrong term. These are high current switches, 
>typically used in the sort of heavy duty circuit where the wiring hums 
>when power is on or in school electrical circuits so even the back of the 
>class can see whether the switch is open or closed. In these a copper 
>'blade' closes the contact by being pushed down into a 
>narrow, sprung U terminal that makes a close contact with both sides of 
>the blade. Like this: http://www.science-city.com/knifeswitch.html
>
>What you're talking is a flat handle on a SPST or DPST toggle switch. It 
>is often called a paddle switch and mounted with the flats on the handle 
>horizontal. Like this, but often with a longer handle: 
>http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1382717/art/radioshack/spdt-panel-mount-
>paddle-s.html

I don't know the correct term, but what I was talking about was a tiny
switch with a 1/2 inch metal handle that looks like a longish grain of
rice.  We used to call them "knife" switches because after hours
flipping them they would feel like they were cutting into your
fingers.

George