[GRASS-dev] terminology issues in grass7

[Hamish]

Hamish:
> >> map -> layer (Map Layer)
> >> layer -> catset (Category Set)
> > to be honest, I'm not a fan of either.
> >
> > map -> layer: no need for change; layer is less meaningful 
> > in this context
> >  (my POV is not from the GUI layer-list perspective, so the
> >   metaphor makes little sense)

Martin: 
> I disagree, 'map' is completely confusing term (in my eyes) in this
> context (my POV is "layer-based" GIS).

maybe I can refine my argument -- I agree "layer" makes more sense
from a rendering perspective, but not from a analysis/modeling
perspective where it is mostly meaningless. As GRASS is both of those
things the best solution is some word which makes sense for both.


> Why GRASS should use different term when other GIS packages

I'm more concerned with what's the most correct, descriptive, and
intuitive name for something, not following the competition. We
should concentrate on making the best software we can, which means
using the best term for us, whatever that is. In the long run that
will pay the greatest dividends.


> and the most of GIS-related literature

I assume that is mostly a function of the terminology that the
dominant software uses..

as long as terms are intuitive and descriptive it doesn't impose much of
a learning curve to use different jargon than what people are used to.

thus my complaint with catset: I know well what layers do in grass vector
modules, but I still struggle to match that name to it. given that, what
hope does a newcomer have?


painting the bikeshed blue,
Hamish