On Saturday, March 8, 2003, at 02:50  PM, Frank Sergeant wrote:

> 2. 'Base' and 'core' mix metaphors.  Kernel to core could be thought of
> as widening concentric circles (or concentric cylinders or spheres) --
> so 'core' implies a circular metaphor.  On the other hand, kernel to
> base is a stratification metaphor, implying layers atop lower layers.

Eureka! Thanks, Frank, for pinning down the reason this naming scheme 
bothers me.

> Kernel is a good name; it is only base and core that need changing.

I agree, kernel is a good name. But it really doesn't fit with the 
stratification metaphor.

For better conceptual consistency I propose this naming scheme, using 
the circular metaphor:

kernel, core, cardinal

"Cardinal" replaces what Cees called "base". It refers to the cardinal 
points of a compass. It implies a point on the edge of a circle, in 
keeping with our metaphor. It also implies that the cardinal image is 
slightly less self-contained than the core image - it starts at the 
core, and different parts go off in different directions. At the same 
time, there's room for other packages to be loaded in.

Colin

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Colin Putney
Whistler.com