On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 3:58 AM, Bert Freudenberg <bert at freudenbergs.de>wrote:

> While I enjoy the mockery ... to this non-native speaker, #ago and
> #fromNow are perfectly clear, and I can't think of a better substitute for
> either.
>

I can!

#hence is a better substitute for #fromNow.

One of the hardest problem in computing is to find names for things. We're
constantly struggling to come up with names that have correct connotation
and denotation, and accurately reflect the relationships that these objects
of the virtual world we create have to each other. Normally we have to rely
on metaphor, convention, and OverlyLongExcessivelyQualifiedNames to manage
it. When there happens to be a word that precisely captures the meaning we
are seeking, we should use it, even if it's not common used in every day
language.

The word "cache" is a good example of this. It's actually a word with an
everyday, non-technical meaning. It's also very obscure, for those of use
who don't spend much time in the wilderness. But it perfectly conveys that
thing that we do with data in computers, and so we use it pervasively and
expect those who are unfamiliar with the term to learn it.

So it is with "hence." Who cares if the guy sitting next to you at the bar
won't use it when you ask when the game starts? It's perfect for our
purposes.

Colin
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