[Tig] semantics: definition vs. resolution

[Rob Lingelbach]

On May 4, 2007, at 1:53 PM, Alexis Hurkman wrote:
> However, "definition" has a similar, er, definition... (also from  
> Dictionary.com)  as "Optics. sharpness of the image formed by an  
> optical system." What's interesting to me is that the formal  
> definitions focus on the optics of a system of reproduction, and  
> not the recording format—I'd suspect because photography was in  
> it's infancy when the terminology was adopted.

Hi Alexis.  thank you for the insights.  I do tend to use more  
formal, and more detailed dictionaries, like the OED, and mistrust
dictionary.com because (correct me if I'm wrong) annotations,  
references, etymology, and other details are lacking.  It seems to me
sometimes to be convenient, but not definitive, and reminds me of the  
sentiments, 16 years ago, of the BMW salesperson who looked askance  
at me when I repeated some 'issues' that had been raised on a  
newsgroup about the latest Boxer Twin motorcycle (her point being  
that "the internet" can be as much a source of misinformation as your  
local quilting group.  At the time I disagreed but have since found  
her view to be quite valid).

> Unless the industry as a whole settles on (and sticks to) separate  
> uses for each word, it would appear that both resolution and  
> definition could be used interchangeably, both for pixel count, and  
> for resolving capability. Sorry, I don't think that was very  
> helpful of me at all... ;-)

well I am also dealing with the quirks of translation between english  
and portuguese, though in this case there don't seem to be any traps  
or false cognates, so I think the literal meaning of the terms is  
quite the same between the cultures.  I'd like to know if most people  
share your opinion, which will be validated by a torrent of denials  
or a general lack of response (which on a mailinglist
of 2000 subscribers usually signifies acquiescence with the thread's  
conclusion vectors, though can also mean a complete lack of interest).

--
Rob Lingelbach
http://www.colorist.org/robhome.html
rob at colorist.org      rob at calarts.edu