Subject: Connector, plugs and socket naming (was: Re: The Return Of Cassette Tape)

On 2026-08-31, rbowman wrote:

On Sun, 30 Aug 2026 20:36:38 +0000, Bob Eager wrote:

On Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:18:46 -0400, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

Bob Eager wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS (fixed):

No, I didn't.

I think you both mean DE-9.

"A DE-9 connector is a small, 9-pin analog plug from the
D-subminiature family, commonly and widely known as a DB-9
connector."

And incorrectly. The 9 refers to the number of pins. The DSE refers to
the shell size. DB is the shell size commonly used for 25 pin
connectors. And a DE-15 is a typical VGA connector.

When's the last time you asked someone for a 'facial tissue'. You probably would get more blank stares asking for a DE-9 than a DB-9 outside of geek world.

It's perhaps close enough that those who don't know it's DE-9 could end
up assuming it's what they call "DB-9".

Isn't there a similar situation with unkeyed 8P8C being called "RJ45"?

--
Nuno Silva

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: Connector, plugs and socket naming (was: Re: The Return Of Cassette Tape)

On Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:18:50 +0100, Nuno Silva wrote:

When's the last time you asked someone for a 'facial tissue'. You
probably would get more blank stares asking for a DE-9 than a DB-9
outside of geek world.

It's perhaps close enough that those who don't know it's DE-9 could end
up assuming it's what they call "DB-9".

A good example is the 15 pin game port connector (now superseded by USB).

Those who stick to the 'DB' terminology would be unable to differentiate between the game port and a 9 pin (e.g. serial) connector.

The former is DA-15 and the latter is DE-15.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: [CORRECTION] Connector, plugs and socket naming (was: Re: The Return Of Cassette Tape)

On Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:18:25 +0000, Bob Eager wrote:

On Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:18:50 +0100, Nuno Silva wrote:

When's the last time you asked someone for a 'facial tissue'. You
probably would get more blank stares asking for a DE-9 than a DB-9
outside of geek world.

It's perhaps close enough that those who don't know it's DE-9 could end
up assuming it's what they call "DB-9".

A good example is the 15 pin game port connector (now superseded by
USB).

Those who stick to the 'DB' terminology would be unable to differentiate between the game port and a 9 pin (e.g. serial) connector.

The former is DA-15 and the latter is DE-15.

Oops. I can only plead that I had a bad night and am not awake yet. That SHOULD read:

Those who stick to the 'DB' terminology would be unable to differentiate between the game port and a 15 pin VGA connector.

The former is DA-15 and the latter is DE-15.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)