On Jul 31, 2025, John Dow wrote: > > > On 31 Jul 2025, at 13:45, Dan Purgert <dan@djph.net> wrote: > > > > On Jul 31, 2025, mick.crane wrote: > >> I've never really known what a serial console is. > >> Say in relation to a Raspberry Pi or Arduino > > > > Skipping a *LOT* of history (and linguistics, etc), a "serial console" > > is a "console" (user interface) provided remotely to the device in > > question over a serial communications channel. I don't believe the term > > really came into use until *after* ethernet took over. > > > I think you’re right there, Dan - when I was soldering up db25 RS-232 > cables (pins 2,3,7 and 20 IIRC) and crawling around under floors, a > terminal was a terminal and the console was something directly Doesn't help that "Console" apparently also meant the desk with blinkenlights and a typewriter (as two completely separate things -- no keyboard into the computer). > connected to the computer. We didn’t bother with ’serial’ because it’s > not like there was any other kind of terminal :) It worries me that > knowledge of these things (and UARTs and character vs block devices > and any number of other things) is likely to die out with us old farts > :) Some of your designs should stay dead, like "Tx to Tx, because something something DCE". :P Depends a little bit. On the radio side (yet another too expensive hobby, BTW), it's the old farts going "why would you want to try building something when you can just buy a $20 radio that just mostly works?" (well, you see, /Richard/[1], unlike you who only passed his tech by memorizing the question and answer pool ... ) [1]To be read with an appropriate amount of rancor towards gatekeeping old people. -- |_|O|_| |_|_|O| Github: https://github.com/dpurgert |O|O|O| PGP: DDAB 23FB 19FA 7D85 1CC1 E067 6D65 70E5 4CE7 2860
Attachment:
signature.asc
Description: PGP signature